These albums feel like the comfort of a cozy sweater and a warm cup of apple cider
I would like to consider myself to be a connoisseur of a perfect fall vibe. I love making butternut squash soup, taking a fall colors walk and having a cozy craft night. But none of these things would be complete without a moody soundtrack to go along with it. Here are five of my essential fall albums perfect for any fall mood.
1. “Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?” by The Cranberries
The Cranberries simply exude a fall vibe with their balanced sound and deeply personal lyrics. Their 1993 album creates a melancholic and nostalgic atmosphere that is perfect for an evening walk admiring the fall colors and thinking about everything that’s ever happened to you. Venturing past the hit songs “Dreams” and “Linger” will allow you to discover playlist staples like “Waltzing Back” and the lead track “I Still Do.”
2. “Lungs” by Florence and the Machine
Florence Welch’s lyricism and vocals create a dreamy sound that represents the fall season for me. All of her albums could be on this list, including her newest album “Everybody Scream” which was released on Halloween 2025, but I’ve found myself returning to her first project from 2008. Tracks like “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)” and “My Boy Builds Coffins” will get you in the mood for witchcraft and dancing.
3. “Preacher’s Daughter” by Ethel Cain
This project from 2022 is downright creepy in the best way. The album follows the Southern Gothic arc of the fictional character Ethel Cain created by Hayden Silas Anhedonia that ultimately ends in her death. While deep dive into the story would be a good Halloween activity, many of the songs are enjoyable outside of the story. Fan favorites include “American Teenager” and “A House in Nebraska,” but “Western Nights” and “Sun Bleached Flies” are also worth checking out.
4. “Bella Donna” by Stevie Nicks
The debut solo album by the Fleetwood Mac star is the first pick for curating a witchy atmosphere. This album is great background music for cooking or cleaning as it contains classic tracks like “Edge of Seventeen” and “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” that will keep you singing through your chores.
5. “The 1975” by The 1975
This 2013 album is a favorite of mine for a long study session considering the deluxe version of the album is nearly two and a half hours long. While this album has a considerably different vibe from my previous recommendations, tracks like “Robbers” and “The City” are perfect for listening to while driving with the windows down on a cool fall night.
All of these albums are certain to add to the ambiance of my walks to class, study sessions, craft nights and the remaining weeks of fall. However, these are not the only albums that I’ll have on repeat for the foreseeable future. Honorable mentions for this list include “Zach Bryan” by Zach Bryan, “This Empty Northern Hemisphere” by Gregory Alan Isakov, “Unreal Unearth” by Hozier, “Stranger in the Alps” by Phoebe Bridgers, and “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power” by Halsey.