When the autumn season rolls around, everyone loves to talk about traditional fall foods (anything pumpkin spice), movies (You’ve Got Mail, anyone?) and fashion trends (leather boots are so in this year). One thing I see less people talking about is fall music. Sure, we just celebrated sad bug summer with Noah Kahan’s Great Divide album and tour, but what are we listening to now that the leaves are changing color and the breeze is getting chillier? I know what I’ll be listening to this autumn and winter: Lizzy McAlpine’s new album, Angel. It just came out this September and is full of indie pop hits like “Over country,” “The light in the painting,” and “A car wash and a new pair of pants.” There are many reasons that this album is perfect for your fall era, including Lizzy’s lyricism and relatable yearning.
The album starts off with “The light in the painting,” the first single of the album. This ballad is unmistakably a love song, as Lizzy asks the subject to “Meet me where I’ve always been” and describes how she is drawn to this anonymous lover. Based on the song’s lyrics, it is uncertain if Lizzy’s admiration is returned, but that just makes it so much more relatable. The concept of an “October canon event” is always popular on social media around this time of year, usually describing when a girl develops a situationship or crush during the fall months that doesn’t always end well. Yearning is fun while it lasts, which is what this song captures perfectly. This song reveals a deep emotional connection between Lizzy and the recipient, something that we can all relate to about the person we love or long for. While the first track is describing a current situation, “Anybody’s fool” seems to be mourning a relationship of the past that Lizzy wishes she could bring back to her present reality. She sings about how it feels to “Want you to want me, to want to change,” and it sounds like she still has faith in a seemingly hopeless situation. Near the end of the year, many people engage in a time of reflection, and maybe this song describes the process of looking back at the past and painfully trying to move on to a more rewarding future.
In “A car wash and a new pair of pants,” Lizzy seems to be scorning someone that did her wrong now that they are not close. She says they are “blinded by the fame and glory” and implies that they used her for what she had to offer them, not giving her real love but instead making her feel smaller and like an outcast in their life. She says, “now I know you less than before,” calling this person out for changing for the worse. There are tones of revenge and satisfaction when she asks, “Who will you be when they all walk away,” knowing that the subject of the song may have temporary success but will always feel empty and vulnerable. In a nutshell, this tune is about Lizzy getting the last word. This song is angsty and catchy, the ideal combination for a darker song on a fall playlist. Go ahead and give this song a listen while getting your car washed and let all of your worries wash away!Â
“Over country” is undoubtedly one of the most popular songs from the album right now, as it describes a friendly and enduring love “over hills and dams.” Ever had a long-distance relationship, friendship, or pen pal? This song is for you. This love is unconditional and inescapable, as Lizzy narrates it following her no matter where she goes or what she does: “I can try my best to be far from home / But no matter where / It will find me.” This song has a beautiful melody and repetitive lyrics to describe a simple and easy love, which is what we are all wishing for this fall season. This song is reminiscent of another track on the album, “I have a friend,” which also describes a friendly love that is essential to her life and being. Track 5, “The moon,” talks about the narrator being caught under the spell of a man, in love with him and willing to do anything because of how much she loves him. She compares their relationship to a classic fairytale love: “The handsome prince and maiden fair / I am in your debt, I am no freer than the moon.” Lizzy sings about reaching freedom and then turning back to her prince, and whether it’s by her own will or not, we all understand the feeling of going back to our first love, even if it’s unrealistic or impossible. Whether you’re dressing up as a Disney princess for Halloween or just love the deep-toned guitar chords of the music, this song will get stuck in your head and totally fits the vibe of this spooky season.
The second single of the album is called “Ugly things,” and this track is somehow more heartbreaking than the rest. In the first verse, Lizzy is romanticizing “Sharing a home and a bed and a promise,” and it seems like all is going well. However, the tone of the song shifts as she begins to list details of potential infidelity or betrayal from her partner. It seems like this dream life may be unattainable, as she “[tries] to push it down” even if “All the ugly things will come back around.” It seems like she still loves the recipient of the song, even if they have chosen somebody else over her and put her in a heartbreaking position. If there’s ever a season for sad, in-your-feels music with acoustic talent, autumn is it, and this is a great prescription for when you want to feel something. And of course, we have to take into account the title track, “Angel.” It may be the last song on the album, but it is definitely not the least! In this number, Lizzy narrates a story about meeting an “angel from another world” and finding love and comfort in her arms. It sounds like Lizzy and the angel have been seeking each other for ages and have finally found each other, as she has “always been here waiting / For this day.” This song gives the listener that warm fuzzy feeling that can only come from the feeling of home or a crackling fireplace. Stream this song and think about your closest loved ones, whether that’s your boyfriend, sister, or cat.
The entire Angel album is full of heavenly vocals, musical talent, and relatable emotion-filled lyrics, making it the best candidate for your autumn girl playlist. Whether you’re belting “A car wash and a new pair of pants” in your car with the windows down or listening to “Over country” on a self-care night in, Lizzy McAlpine has you covered.