Some albums don’t just play in your headphones — they settle into your season. Here’s a dive into my compiled favorite fall albums to bring out the warmth and joy in you this autumn.
1. “The Art of Loving” by Oliva Dean
Olivia Dean’s new album, “The Art of Loving,” has accomplished just that; it’s cozy, honest, and somehow makes every leaf-strewn sidewalk feel like a music video. As a hot topic on social media, Olivia Dean’s work is clearly all the rage, and I can attest that it is the perfect soundtrack to fulfill your walking through campus, main character dreams. “Loud” has been blasting in my headphones all week, and my love for and incessant listening to this album had me brainstorming other perfect soundtracks for my daily fall walks.  Â
2. “Evermore” and “Midnights” by Taylor Swift
Surrounded by palm trees and crashing waves, that fall feeling may be a little hard to unearth in sunny Santa Barbara, but hit play on Taylor Swift’s “Evermore” album, and you’ll be instantly transported into your dreamy fall Pinterest board. My personal favorite, “evermore (ft. Bon Iver),” truly transcends all expectations. For me, Swift’s album “Midnights” will forever bring about waves of nostalgia for the fall of 2023 — a true testament to how music shapes memories and time periods. Yet, “Evermore” is a timeless, never-tiring classic fitting for every year. This meditative piano ballad tells a story of hope and healing, a fitting message as we bid farewell to summer and welcome a new school year.
3. “Hozier” by Hozier
More upbeat, but still with soulful lyrics, Hozier’s 2014 album “Hozier” brings about that skipping through campus feeling. Truly a no-skip piece of work, these songs will leave you ready to conquer whatever midterm, fall flu, or seasonal mood swing that is headed your way. In all, Hozier’s folk, soul, and blues vibes never fail to generate that sweat-weather mood. From the haunting gospel tones of “Take Me to Church” to the tender warmth of “Cherry Wine,” the album balances intensity with intimacy. Tracks like “Jackie and Wilson” and “Someone New” keep the energy up, perfect for those crisp morning walks to class or cozy study sessions.
4. “For emma, Forever ago” by Bon Iver
Perhaps the best (and saddest) album of all can be attributed to Bon Iver’s “For Emma, Forever Ago”. This Twilight-sounding classic is the kind of album that makes you want to stare pensively out a foggy window, even if you’re trapped inside your 8 AM in Campbell Hall. I guarantee “Creature Fear” will bring about the peace necessary to tune out the chaos of the Fall quarter. If “The Art of Loving” is the golden warmth of early October, “For Emma, Forever Ago” is that moment when the air turns sharper and you start to romanticize your own melancholy.Â
5. “Pure Heroine” By Lorde
To bring your spirits up from Bon Iver’s sad and tragic vibes, Lorde’s “Pure Heroine” perfectly encapsulates that nostalgic, nighttime drive through your hometown with the windows down, soaking in the autumn air. “Buzzcut Season,” “A World Alone,” and “Ribs” evoke that out-of-body, euphoric feeling of growing up too fast yet not wanting it to end, making it the perfect soundtrack for the in-between moments of the season. As we gear up for the last few months of the year, let this album transport you into your high school self, free of the worries and responsibilities intertwined with college life.
The leaves change, the quarter drags, but at least the soundtracks stay immaculate, and whether you’re choosing to romanticize the cozy mood or you’re attempting to survive the gloom, these albums will be there for you regardless.