Imagine this: candle lit, warm socks on, pumpkin spice cold brew in hand. Central New York is known for its optimal fall scenery and activities, which many Colgate students appreciate (especially preceding the brutal winter). As the green leaves transform into mellow yellows and fiery oranges, a fall playlist is essential  to encapsulate a cozy fall vibe. Listed below are songs to add to your fall playlist.

1. “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” Taylor Swift (2021)

Originally producing this beat in 2012 but reclaiming it with her own rights to the song, Taylor Swift re-released this song and a short film to go along with it this past year. Recounting the emotional abuse coming from a relationship with a clear power imbalance, many people resonate with the lyrics in which Taylor explains her heartbreak and feelings of exploitation. The fall vibes in the associated short film adaptation are unmatched, with beautiful scenery coming from our neck of the woods in upstate New York. 

RIYL: Harry Styles, Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams

2. “Home,” Hollow Coves (2018)

Hollow Coves, an Australian band, produces Indie folk music. The band often produces music pertaining to nature and its importance in human lives, evoking joyous feelings from listeners. This song, in particular, articulates the feeling of yearning for home and the impact this has on one’s perception of the world. Another interesting aspect of the song is that the band wrote, produced and released this jam entirely on their own terms, making it all the more personable to the listener. 

RIYL: The Paper Kites, The Lumineers, Caamp

3. “Romeo and Juliet,” Dire Straits (1981)

Starting with a memorable guitar piece, this song first appeared on the album, “Making Movies.” The simple melodies the guitarists and bassists play throughout this six minute song provide greater emphasis on the love story told and the impact of this relationship on the lead singer, Mark Knopfler.

RIYL: Steely Dan, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen 

4. “Telescope,” Cage the Elephant (2013)

The alternative rock band now known as “Cage the Elephant” started releasing music in 2006. Many people are most familiar with their album, “Melophobia,” which contains the hits “Cigarette Daydreams” and “Come a Little Closer.” This song notably incorporates synthetic and natural acoustics, which aids in producing catchy beats, remarkable beat drops and tempo changes. Drastic changes in tempo and intensity further engage the listener throughout this song.

RIYL: The Strokes, MGMT, The Arcs

5. “Iris,” Goo Goo Dolls (1998)

A classic yet heart-wrenching song about love, this song took the world by storm in the late nineties. Guitarist and vocalist John Rzeznik, bassist Robby Takac and drummer George Tutuska make up the rock band as we know it today. The way in which Rzeznik sings with such heartfelt emotion alludes to the immense pain this heartbreak made him feel and the influence it had on his life. The melancholic tone and message of this song reminds me of seasonal changes in not only the weather, but life as well. 

RIYL: Foo Fighters, Matchbox Twenty, Snow Patrol 

6. “Still Beating,” Mac Demarco (2017)

Mac Demarco, unlike other current popular artists, produces his music at home, making it all the more personal and unique. This song, in particular, speaks about his undying love for a past lover and the impact that individual has on his day-to-day life. Demarco’s music has a calming effect on the listener, due to the combination of his lax demeanor and effortless talent. 

RIYL: TV Girl, Beach Fossils, Current Joys

7. “Softcore,” The Neighborhood (2018)

The Neighborhood consistently releases catchy songs about heartbreak, with “Softcore” being no exception.  The most prominent instrument in this song is the electric guitar specifically used during breaks in vocals. Vocalist Jesse Rutherford became a pop-culture icon since the band began releasing music due to his unique style and relationship with model Devon Carlson. Rutherford sings about the impact that being a singer had on his relationship with himself and his loved ones, grappling with difficulties related to time management. 

RIYL: TV Girl, Beach Weather, The Weeknd

8. “Beige,” Yolklore (2017)

This love song encapsulates the joy of new beginnings with loved ones and within oneself. This song features  the use of banjo, along with the bass guitar as the members of the band try to make the song more personable to the listener, while alluding to the naturalistic aspects of their music. 

RIYL: Winnetka Bowling League, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, the Lumineers

9. “Sedona,” Houndmouth (2015)

“Sedona” by Houndmouth, talks about “flipping the script” and changing the trajectory of one’s life. As I was preparing to move away from home and start my new chapter at college, this song taught me the importance of change and all of the potential I have in a new environment. 

RIYL: Mt. Joy, the Lumineers, The Head and the Heart

10. “Yes I’m Changing,” Tame Impala (2018)

To further go along with the theme of maturity in one’s life, this song describes how change isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Kevin Parker, under the alias of  Tame Impala, creates psychedelic songs using synthetic instruments. His music evokes a natural high in the listeners, all while he conveys that moving on allows him to develop as an individual.

RIYL: MGMT, Glass Animals, Mac Demarco

11. “Bloom,” Paper Kites (2011)

Another popular Australian folk band, Paper Kites, produces songs connecting nature to love, one of them being “Bloom.” The use of banjo and acoustic guitar evokes a joyous tone within the song, making it all the more enjoyable for the listener. The smoothness of the vocals has a calming effect on the audience, further emphasizing the interconnectedness of nature to one’s personal well being.

RIYL: Hollow Coves, Mt. Joy, Caamp

12. “Cold Little Heart” Michael Kiwanuka (2016)

Although Kiwanuka released this song years prior to the premier of the show “Big Little Lies,” the song gained traction due to its impactful placement within the show and its enhancement to the plot. The song runs for a lengthy ten minutes—the first few minutes contain beautiful violin and piano instrumentals, along with soft vocals. Once the song begins, though, the lyrics hit the listener especially hard as it encapsulates the mindset of a depressed individual losing hope with not only the world, but himself as well. By the end of the song, a sense of hope is restored within the man, instilling a more motivating mindset to the listener.

RIYL: Steve Lacy, Leon Bridges, Villagers

13. “Scott Street,” Phoebe Bridgers (2017)

What is a fall playlist without Phoebe Bridgers? Bridgers, a young singer-songwriter, took the music industry by storm with her debut album “Stranger in the Alps,” which contains the song “Scott Street.” Bridgers is known for her difficulty grappling with childhood nostalgia and the inevitability of growing old, making her music incredibly influential on young people. The musical outro in this song is especially impactful as it feels like Bridgers is having a coming of age realization.

RIYL: Gracie Abrams, Maggie Rogers, Clairo