As the leaves transform to their peak level of color and crispness and the air becomes cold and brisk, I find myself getting more and more into a granola-girl-autumn-like-state. “Granola?” you may ask, “like the healthy snack?” Well, no, not exactly–but you’re on the right track. “Granola” is a slang term that was popularized around 2020, described by Urban Dictionary as “a new-age/more civilized hippie who can usually be found journaling in an Eno in the middle of the forest.” Someone who is “granola” loves the outdoors, hiking, and that all-natural vibe.
Would I describe myself as granola? No, not really. It’s honestly just a silly term used to describe an aesthetic, the same way as “e-boy” or “VSCO-girl.” But, to me, granola-type music is really fun to listen to in the Autumn while walking through a huge pile of leaves and pretending you’re hiking in Maine while wearing Chacos and staying hydrated with a Camelbak water bottle attached to your travel-backpack. The following 25 songs fit that vibe, in my opinion. Feel free to listen to the Spotify playlist embedded below with all these tunes while living your granola-girl fantasy!
- “Kerina” by Adrianne lenker and buck meek
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Get ready to see a lot of Adrianne Lenker on this playlist. Her folksy tone and beautifully written lyrics make me romanticize absolutely anything I do.
- “Sleep on the floor” by the lumineers
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I’m sure you were expecting some of The Lumineers on this list, because what would a granola playlist be without them? Their music reminds me of what would be playing if you were sitting around a campfire with a bunch of friends on a nature-y trip before getting ready to sleep in an old-fashioned tent. The title, “sleep on the floor,” is fitting for this.
- “hold on” by alabama shakes
- “katie queen of tennessee” by the apache relay
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This song is like magic, trust me.
- “you’re too weird” by fruit bats
- “stubborn love” by the lumineers
- “jackie and wilson” by hozier
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Hozier is an artist who is probably *actually* granola. I mean, look at his hipster style, and that beard! I’d be surprised if he makes his music in an actual studio and not just in a mossy forest with forest friends.
- “i’m writing a novel” by father john misty
- “hello my old heart” by the oh hellos
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- “all we ever knew” by the head and the heart
- “woodland” by the paper hearts
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Everything about this song screams wandering through a forest… it was a must-include.
- “the girl” by city and colour
- “each coming night” by iron & wine
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All Iron & Wine songs have the most gorgeously written lyrics. I love falling asleep to their songs and find that they always transport me to a calm and tranquil state.
- “washing dishes” by jack johnson
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Jack Johnson, aka the man behind the “Curious George” soundtrack, reminds me of happy autumn strolls like no other. As my housemate says: “Jack Johnson on, world off.”
- “a better time to meet” by adrianne lenker and buck meek
- “sedona” by houndmouth
- “real love baby” by father john misty
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The warm and fuzzy feeling that Father John Misty’s music gives listeners is indescribable. I’ve always wanted to see him live in the fall-time.
- “heart it races” by dr. dog
- “angel” by fleetwood mac
- “cactus tree” by joni mitchell
- “dragon eyes” by adrianne lenker
- “forever” by alex g
- “mayla” by edward sharpe & the magnetic zeros
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If you’ve ever seen a photo or video of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, you would be well aware that they are just about the most granola-hippie band out there, and their music matches their look completely!
- “gone” by adrianne lenker
- “ripple” by grateful dead
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I thought “Ripple” was the perfect way to end this playlist. It’s somber and calming mood reminds me of driving through a tree-lined road on the way back from a long hike in Autumn.