Eight essential albums for a crisp, cozy fall

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Photo courtesy of taylorswift.com

With cool heartstring-tuggers like “All Too Well” and “Begin Again” in tow, Taylor Swift’s “Red” is the feeling of wind pinkening cheeks and boots crushing leaves in sonic form.

Fall is officially in season. It’s gotten noticeably colder, the class assignments noticeably more complex, the sweaters noticeably chunkier — and the day in the sun for beachier sounding, summertime jams has come to a close.

It’s time to whip out your moodier playlists — the ones that mesh melancholy with warmth, an extension of the visual of orange and red shades coloring in the cooling atmosphere.

To aid in dusting off these playlists, I’ve compiled a list of some of my own favorite fall-appropriate albums.

“Red” — Taylor Swift

If you were anticipating a deep cut to kick things off here, I apologize — there’s just no way around highlighting this autumnal bible’s place as the fall album of all fall albums. With cool heartstring-tuggers like “All Too Well” and “Begin Again” in tow, this record is the feeling of wind pinkening cheeks and boots crushing leaves in sonic form. “Red (Taylor’s Version)” — we’re ready for you.

“Hozier” — Hozier

If I could do nothing else but listen to Hozier’s articulations of love that weave themes of nature, religion and mortality together through such vivid symbolism and metaphors (see: “I slithered here from Eden just to sit outside your door,”) for the entirety of the next three months, you wouldn’t hear me complain. Oh, to be “the giggle at a funeral.”

“Brand New Eyes” — Paramore

We all could benefit from getting a little reacquainted with good old teenage angst now and then. Paramore’s third album is among the best from this moody 2000’s alternative rock sound, combining emotive lyrics with powerful instrumentals to culminate in a final product dedicated to growing pains — perfectly on brand for this transitioning stage into the colder months.

“Modern Vampires of the City” — Vampire Weekend

All Vampire Weekend songs feel destined to be listened to whilst roaming campus for me — and something about this one hits especially hard around this time of year. If you spot me crying in the corner of the OC to “Hannah Hunt” sometime in the near future — mind your business.

“Better Oblivion Community Center” — Better Oblivion Community Center

You had to know Phoebe Bridgers would make this list in some form. Although everything her bittersweet, melancholic lyricism touches feels destined for fall listening to me, her collaborative effort with Coner Oberst of the band Bright Eyes deserves to be pulled from the depths of “Punisher’s” shadow and given its own flowers. Their voices clash in the most satisfying way, and you’ll find yourself moved to sway by the guitars and moved to tears by the darkly humorous lyrics.

“Collapsed In Sunbeams” — Arlo Parks

This is a warmer example of fall-aligned sounds, for evenings spent snuggled beneath a blanket or driving home amid the earlier sunset. Parks utilizes poetic lyricism and a soulful, British-accented vocal to span themes from infectious hope to blue longing — evoking a gentle, comforting vibe all throughout that’ll keep you warm in the cold.

“Cleopatra” — The Lumineers

Wesley Schultz’s vocals wash over you the way entering a building of warmth from cool autumn drizzle does — and the mesmerizing, folky guitars only further this sensation. A scrapbook of stories surrounding adventure and young love, each listen to this record feels cinematic, romantic and bursting with rich fall tones.

Twilight: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

No, this is not a satirical inclusion. Firstly, it can’t go without saying that the energy of Forks, Washington and that bluish Twilight filter encapsulate the essence of fall pretty well. Secondly, this excellent body of alt-rock music reflects the vibes of fall just as well, in all its themes of romance and anxiety embedded within sounds both gentle and dark. Also — the song from that baseball scene is always appropriate.

So, there you have it — a collection of autumn-approved music and an unironic Twilight recommendation to keep you company this fall season.