It seems like autumn weather has already settled over the University of Connecticut with the start-of-semester temperatures we’ve been having, unless a last-minute heat wave comes in to say something about it. Soon enough, students will be walking alongside the crisp breeze under a tapestry of explosive reds, oranges and yellows in the trees above.
What better way to cherish the atmosphere than crafting the perfect fall playlist? Here are some suggestions for songs that capture the feeling of leaves crunching underfoot and the final bit of warmth before winter’s grip tightens around Storrs once again.
Vashti Bunyan – “Rose Hip November”
The pastoral atmosphere evoked by Vashti Bunyan’s whimsical folk music often correlates with warmer weather, and when it doesn’t, she tends to fixate on winter as a song subject. But her aptly named 1970 gem, “Rose Hip November,” strikes a balance between the two extremes.
Here, Bunyan conjures up an immersive autumnal scene, with the outside world seeming awkwardly lifeless while waiting for snow to fall. Her forlorn vocals, echoing resonantly over a chiming dulcitone, glittering harp and haunting whistle, carry a wistfulness unique to this transitional time of year.
Fleet Foxes – “Helplessness Blues”
Some people’s biggest takeaway from autumn’s presence is its representation of change. No song better captures the feeling of human transition and how it’s something to both fear and yearn for than Fleet Foxes’ 2011 opus “Helplessness Blues.” Frontman Robin Pecknold begins his midlife crisis anthem with shy, earnest singing, voicing his desire to serve a greater master instead of carving his own path in life.
But the track quickly erupts into a flurry of strummed acoustic guitars and Pecknold’s desperate cry, amplified by a deluge of reverb. His uncertainty only deepens as his wonder towards the world and longing for stability increases until he manages to reach, or at least imagine, some kind of resolution in the end.
Bob Dylan – “Mr. Tambourine Man”
Could any fall playlist be complete without a bit of Bob Dylan? “Mr. Tambourine Man,” one of the songwriter legend’s most popular songs, is an easy listen befitting for this time of year. The carefree acoustic guitar melody dances beside the quieter electric guitar, while his soothing harmonica bridges the time spent between verses. It all fits together perfectly, bound by Dylan’s comforting, slightly nasal singing. The lyrics speak to the transformative power of music to whisk your mind away from the present, exactly what this song accomplishes.
Bright Eyes – “Nothing Gets Crossed Out”
Bright Eyes’ early 2000s output has quite the autumnal appeal with their angsty mix of indie rock, folk, alt-country and emo influences. But “Nothing Gets Crossed Out” is an especially deserving fit for all the procrastinators out there as the academic year begins. Drawing from similar existentialism to Pecknold, Conor Oberst bemoans his inability to get things done, citing apathy, nihilism and the trappings of nostalgia as the culprits. While the average college student likely puts work off for less dramatic reasons, the general sentiment remains the same.
Kimya Dawson – “So Nice So Smart”
The signature singsong cadence of Kimya Dawson and the lightness of her guitar lends her music to childhood whimsy. It contrasts with her lyrics, which tend to be broody and unexpectedly dark. But “So Nice So Smart” is a more bittersweet moment, filled with self-reflection and frustration surrounding a relationship. Her gentle layered vocals and the soft piano on the back half level out the tone, warding away any self-deprecation or anger one might perceive. There’s a certain charm that comes from this earnestness and a level of comfort comparable to a warm cardigan on a breezy day.
Racing Mount Pleasant – “Do You Think I’m Pretty”
Racing Mount Pleasant, the seven-piece group hailing from Michigan, proved they were an artist to look out for with the release of “Do You Think I’m Pretty” in 2022. It opens sentimentally with vocalist Sam DuBose cherishing moments from a relationship, posed over a horn-driven chamber pop jaunt. It’s a good fit for relaxing strolls through the quieter parts of campus.
But as brief instrumental swells descend into harsher art rock, DuBose spirals out of control, repeatedly lamenting the words “I’m so sorry,” as the relationship crumbles. The final moments circle back to the peace the song began with, but the heaviness lingers. For those who hate the cold, the gradual pain and cathartic release of this song may match your increased dissatisfaction as December draws nearer.