As someone who loves summer with all of her heart, I still have a soft spot for fall. Being in my second fall semester of college, my love for the season has only grown, and the three things I’m looking forward to the most lately are walking through campus as the fall vibes take over, fall outfits, and playing my fall playlist on repeat. I curate my seasonal playlists throughout the year, so by the time this fall came around, I was more than ready to feed my ears their musical cravings. Here are five albums that I think would be perfect additions for your fall playlist!
‘Breath From Another’ – Esthero
Breath From Another is a ’90s trip-hop album by Esthero, the stage name of lead singer-songwriter Jen-Bea Englishman, and her producer Martin “Doc” McKinney. Released in 1998, Esthero combines downtempo electronic beats, alternative pop, and jazz elements to provide listeners with a smooth, sultry debut album.
My personal favorite songs from this album are “That Girl,” “Breath from Another,” and “Country Livin’ (The World I Know).” Having just moved to a big city as a teenager, Englishman tells stories of feeling out of place, being afraid, gaining personal strength, and teenage life in general. For many people, especially college students, the fall season can invoke a renewed sense of homesickness and bring a lot of change, but it can also be filled with new opportunities to gain personal strengths and victories. Breath From Another navigates these feelings of a new start with a sound that blends in perfectly with the cooling weather.
‘Fleetwood Mac’ – Fleetwood Mac
Another oldie, but a true classic, Fleetwood Mac is the self-titled album by British-American band Fleetwood Mac. This album introduced to the world the addition of Stevie Nicks as a vocalist and Lindsey Buckingham as a guitarist. Although this was the band’s tenth studio album, it transformed their signature sound to focus more on pop-rock (compared to the blues rock it really tuned into originally).
“Landslide” steadily remains one of my most favorite songs in the world. It is comforting and perfect for any occasion, but especially suitable for slow fall evenings or mornings when nostalgia, yearning, and the pains of growing up hit you all at once. Other songs I’d recommend for first-time listeners on this album are “Say You Love Me” and “Warm Ways.”
‘CHarm’ – Clairo
Although Clairo’s album Immunity (which nearly made the list) has “Bags,” a signature fall anthem, Charm‘s soft-rock warmth and cozy-retro feel make this album the perfect soundtrack to your fall. Every song feels like a hug. Many fans have claimed that the album feels like the intimate transition between summer and fall, a romantic, almost “falling-in-love” period that tugs at your heartstrings.
Officially released in 2024, Charm is the American singer-songwriter’s third studio album. Every track is more than worth listening to, but my personal favorites are “Pier 4,” “Sexy to Someone,” “Add Up My Love,” and “Second Nature.” Clairo’s entire discography could have made it onto this list, but Charm is my personal recommendation for fall specifically!
‘Hatful Of Hollow’ – The Smiths
“I love the Smiths.”
“Sorry?”
“I said, I love The Smiths.”
Filled with live sessions and remasters, Hatful of Hollow by The Smiths is the album definition of the perfect fall soundtrack to help you feel like the main character of an indie coming-of-age movie. Although it does not contain “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,” the song that started Summer and Tom’s story in the film (500) Days of Summer and the origin of the iconic “I love The Smiths” line, it has all of the indie-pop, alt-rock elements that define The Smiths.
My personal recommendations for first-time listeners are “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” and “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now,” which are some of the band’s most notable tracks. Some of my other favorites from Hatful of Hollow are “This Night Has Opened My Eyes,” “This Charming Man,” and “Back to the Old House.”
‘Pylon’ – beabadoobee
Having just released on Sept. 18, Pylon arrived just in time for this fall. Pylon, by singer-songwriter beabadoobee, is filled with the rock and grunge elements that are similar to a few of her other fan-favorite albums, but it also surprised many people who know her as more of a soft-pop artist. Electric guitars and raw, energetic alt-rock elements are accompanied by her signature vocals.
I’m actually seeing her live very soon on her Powerlines Tour, which is dedicated to this album, but as of right now, my recommendations for first-time listeners are “Satellite,” “Sun Has Set,” and “Switchblade.” Pylon was an album written in between tours and while beabadoobee was rarely home; it is a story of missing people who feel like home, longing for connection, and the feeling of watching suspended pylons and power lines pass by in a blur while on the road. It’s upbeat, nostalgic, has something for everyone, and is filled with all of the yearning a person could achieve in one fall season.
Final Thoughts
Fall is a transitional season where everyone is on a path that might seem new and frightening at first glance. Things like music provide us enjoyment, but they are also a place to seek comfort and can guide us steadily through each day. The special thing about music is that there is truly something for everyone. I hope, with these five albums, you are able to further realize what you want added to the soundtrack of your fall.