As the seasons start to shift once again, certain songs tend to gravitate toward my ears more and more over the course of the incoming autumn months. Here’s a few I think you might enjoy.
“Futile Devices” – Sufjan Stevens
Indie-folk icon Sufjan Stevens’ music almost always embodies fall-like qualities, and the plucky, wispy love song “Futile Devices” is no exception. Along with Stevens’ Oscar-nominated “Mystery of Love,” you may have already heard a version of this song in the film Call Me by Your Name. Though, this track originally comes from Stevens’ sixth studio album and folktronica opus The Age of Adz. In this context, “Futile Devices” is much more of an outlier, serving as the calming intro to this rather abrasive and dense album of cascading synths and chaotic song-structures. Nonetheless, “Futile Devices” remains one of my personal favorites in Stevens’ catalog with its raw emotion, honest storytelling and subtle production.
“Image” – Magdalena Bay
Magdalena Bay remains one of my favorite synth and psych pop acts in recent memory with the release of their second album Imaginal Disk. Coming out just a few weeks ago, the duo continue to expand their sound on this record. Mixing their sweet, bubbly pop production with more hard-hitting elements of rock and alternative on songs like “Tunnel Vision,” “Watching T.V.” and lead single “Death & Romance.” Yet, my favorite song off the record has to be “Image.” Coming at such a pivotal point in the record’s tracklist, “Image” is everything I love about this band rolled into one. Addicting synth-lines and catchy vocal melodies all building to a climactic drum-filled finish, I guarantee it’ll be stuck in your head all fall.
“Everything is romantic” – Charli xcx
Even though BRAT summer has come to a close, BRAT autumn is just commencing. You may have heard a handful of Charli xcx’s viral hits this summer like “Apple,” “365” and “Girl, so confusing,” just to name a few. And for good reason, as her latest album BRAT and the popstar herself ruled the internet and the club all summer long. But what has always interested me the most about BRAT is its ability to delve into a plethora of different emotions. One minute you’re doing a TikTok dance at the bar, the next you’re crying in that same bar’s bathroom. That gray area between fun, careless behavior and anxious overthinking is where some of the best tracks on this album take shape. Now I could’ve gone for a song that dives head-first into these clashing emotions like “Rewind” or “I think about it all the time,” but I wanted to choose one that I think seamlessly goes in between these summer and fall aesthetics. Coming right in the middle of the record, “Everything is romantic” perfectly captures this clubby, brash vibe and mixes it with a nuanced, bittersweet tone with heartfelt and honest lyrics. The perfect start to your BRAT fall. “Fall in love again and again.”
“Perfect Pinterest Garden” – Porter Robinson
It was hard for me to just pick one song off Porter Robinson’s fantastic and fun new album SMILE! :D. The entire record screams autumn with its bubbly electro-pop mixed with early ‘00s punk angst. “Cheerleader,” “Russian Roulette,” “Is There Really No Happiness?” this record is just chock-full of emotive, relatable bangers but “Perfect Pinterest Garden” might be my absolute favorite. This short and sweet track sees Robinson’s anxieties and insecurities getting the better of him as he’d rather hide away in his “perfect pinterest garden” than face his fears, public persona and social interactions. Definitely a feeling we’ve all experienced at one point or another. Did I mention it absolutely slaps too? If any of you remember Metro Station’s song “Shake It,” think of it as an updated version of a song like that. Is that intriguing enough?
“I’m with You” – Avril Lavigne
Thanks to Deadpool & Wolverine I rediscovered the national treasure that is Avril Lavigne and her debut album Let Go. Of course you have the smash hits “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi” but I’ve always been partial to this angsty earworm “I’m with You.” Even if all I can picture now is Ryan Reynolds belting this out the window of a Honda Odyssey, that doesn’t take away from the song’s utter brilliance and icon status.
“Save It for Later” – Eddie Vedder
If you’re anything like me you’ve been completely consumed and enamored by the show The Bear over the last few years. This most recent third season was easily the most meditative and transitional era of the show so far and I think Eddie Vedder’s cover of the classic English Beat song “Save It for Later” was the perfect theme for it. Some of you may know Vedder as the leading man behind Pearl Jam, one of the four great grunge acts of the ‘90s and a staple for your local coffee or sandwich shop’s soundtrack. Along with being a great theme song for the FX dramedy, the track does a great job at portraying these emotions of transitional periods in your life and savoring the moment while you can.
“Paper Bag” – Fiona Apple
Getting deeper into legendary singer-songwriter Fiona Apple’s work over the summer, I was completely enthralled by her storytelling, production and commanding voice. No song displays all these tropes better than “Paper Bag.” It’s one of her most popular tracks for a reason too, memorable melodies and smart lyrics to dissect over several days. “I thought he was a man, but he was just a little boy.”
“i recovered from this” – JPEGMAFIA
Rapper and sampling genius JPEGMAFIA’s new album is once again full of ballistic bangers and off-the-wall production, pulling from an eclectic array of influences from hip-hop to psych-rock. Though, this record stands out from his previous output to me as the rapper is also not afraid to show his vulnerable side. This is especially true on tracks like “i recovered from this,” as JPEGMAFIA lays it all out on the table for us over this hypnotic Janet Jackson vocal interpolation. This level of growth and maturity is something I’ve rarely seen in “Peggy” over the past few years, and I look forward to hearing more of this side of him in the future.
“California” – Chappell Roan
Of course I had to put the Midwest Princess herself on this list. Pop sensation Chappell Roan has seen nothing but continued success these past few months and I couldn’t be happier for her. And her song “California” is a perfect example of why she isn’t just another run-of-the-mill pop artist. This track sees Roan reflecting on her origins and missing her hometown in Missouri while trying to make it big in California. With her debut album already turning a year old this month, do yourself a favor and give it a spin if you haven’t before, especially this penultimate gem.
“Soup” – Remi Wolf
Lastly, I wanted to bring Big Ideas by Remi Wolf to your attention. While this album is full of summery bops it also has a handful of autumnal moments too. Fan favorite “Soup” is a prime example of this with Wolf’s signature rasp and captivating performance as well as relatable, down-to-earth lyrics and an instrumental straight out of a coming-of-age movie. I guarantee you’ll have a great time with it and, I mean, what’s more comforting than soup?
