I always listen to music. When I’m working, driving, eating, walking, really any chance I get, and especially when I am in my feels. I love how music is able to relate to and even transform the way that I feel in a moment. For this reason, I love making playlists for any potential feeling or event that could arise. One of my favourite musical feelings is soft, calming and sometimes sad music that just sounds like fall somehow. I find this vibe great for doing homework and relaxing, and seeing as it is finally fall, it seemed like a perfect time to share it. Here are 10 calming melodies for the fall.
1. we fell in love in october by girl in red
I just found this song in my Spotify recommendations, and while it is slightly more up tempo than many of the rest that follow it, its soft music and reminiscent lyrics are perfect for this vibe. Not to mention that the artwork is a perfect fall aesthetic.
2. Forever & Always by Zeph
Zeph’s vocals on this song are exactly what I picture when I think of this kind of playlist; light and muted but so beautiful and emotional. There isn’t much music behind the voice, but the acoustic guitar strumming and echoing backing vocals add just the right amount of melody to set the mood but keep the focus on the singing.
3. Down to the Second by Zach Berkman
As the most intense song on the playlist, this one may not be the best for studying, but it definitely shares the fall feel of the rest of the songs. I couldn’t help but include this song because it feels like the perfect mix of quiet and loud emotions. Kind of indescribable if you ask me, you’ll just have to listen to get it.
4. Banana Bread by Cavetown
Similar to track 1, this song is new to me. I recently found this song via Instagram Stories (am I the only one who actually listens to what people post?) and quickly fell in love. First, the artwork is adorable, but the song’s mix of interesting music sounds and talk-like yet smooth vocals make a very pleasing and relaxing piece.
5. Lucky by Zeph
Following closely to Forever & Always, mentioned above, Zeph’s super sweet and soft vocals accompanied with light guitar make Lucky an equally as calming song. With a little more kick in the music, thanks to some drums, this song offers a slightly more upbeat feel.
6. Flume by Bon Iver
You know I had to have Bon Iver in this playlist, but it was just a matter of which song. Flume just has a continuous feel running through it of calm, sad and raw that I felt worked for the vibe I was going for. Like many songs in this playlist, the light strumming and atmospheric music paired with soft and simple vocal delivery makes for a good and just sad enough song.
7. Olivia by The Backseat Lovers
With even more prominent vocals, this song feels like a poem or a diary being sung to you. The lyrics are heartfelt, and the instrumental adds the right amount of space for you to contemplate your own feelings while escaping the world as you listen.
8. Hollow by MARGO
Joining the running theme of simple guitar, drums and vocal, Hollow is perhaps a more folk- sounding take from those previous. Her longing and loneliness somehow feeling positive makes for an inspiring song that I think we can all relate to, especially at a time like this.
9. Mom and Dad by Rachel Bobbitt
The breath-like vocal ad-lib beginning this song may be the most relaxing sound of the playlist. Rachel delivers the lyrics slowly, making you feel lost in the song and ready to just sit down, close your eyes and listen to the beautifully soft song that follows.
10. Softly by Clairo
Another obvious artist selection for this playlist, Clairo’s Softly perfectly describes the feel of this playlist. Although this is potentially the song with the most going on in terms of music and vocal, it remains quiet, calming and soft, especially thanks to Clairo’s ultra-soft vocals.
If you want to listen to these songs and hear more like them, you can find this calming playlist on Spotify!