As fall approaches, fall music is my go-to listen for every car ride, study hour, and pregame ritual. Each time my Spotify app is opened, I am greeted by my favorite fall artists like Noah Kahan, Zach Bryan, and Taylor Swift.
Similarly to how I connect the summer season to country music and singers like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, and Kenny Chesney, I connect the fall season to folk-pop, folk-country, and indie folk.
Noah Kahan’s folk-pop, emotional storytelling, and catchy lyrics transport me to Fall. My go-to fall listens from Kahan include “Stick Season” and “Homesick” on the Stick Season album. Kahan’s song ties to the change of weather; the title, “Stick Season,” refers to the period between fall and winter when the trees become bare, but the snowfall hasn’t begun. In addition to Kahan’s connection to the changing weather, he uses lyrics to capture changing emotions. Kahan’s lyrics, “And I love Vermont, but it’s the season of the sticks,” represent feelings of depression as the daylight shortens, the temperature drops, and you become locked inside. Overall I give this song a 7/10 because I enjoy the slower beat and lyrics of the song, but I prefer a more energetic chorus, which this song lacks.
Zach Bryan and his country music style offer a perfect addition to my fall playlist. Bryan’s popular singles, like “American Nights” and “28,” in his album The Great American Bar Scene, remind me of fall and the activities the season introduces. “American Nights” not only delivers a new take on the country genre with the use of his electric guitar talent but also connects to the audience on an emotional level. I rate this song a 9.5/10 as it reminds me of attending Friday night high school football games.
“28,” featured on the same album, not only brings about an acoustic vibe but pushes listeners to be grateful. Bryan’s song reminds me how grateful I am for my friendships and pushes me to reflect on my childhood and how much I’ve grown up. Bryan’s lyrics, “And we’re all grown now,” add a downhearted mood to the song, leading me to rate the song an 8.5/10. I feel as though this song is a great option on a day when I feel down or after experiencing a milestone, like senior year festivities and traditions.
Finally, Taylor Swift and her hit song “All Too Well” from her Red (Taylor’s Version) album deliver a downhearted, calming tune. Swift’s lyrics “The air was cold” in the opening verse remind me of the temperature change Minnesota experiences each October when the air becomes brisk and the wind picks up. Swift shares additional lyrics that I find comfort in, especially during autumn: “We’re singing in the car, getting lost upstate. Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place, And I can picture it after all these days.” I find comfort in these lyrics because they talk about the leaves falling, which paints a picture in my head of the leaves turning red, orange, and yellow before falling and covering my front yard. I rate this song a 9/10 not only because the lyrics allow me to connect on a personal level but also because I appreciate Swift’s talent to sing and play music for ten minutes.