Outbound – After

With their niche of heavily nostalgic Y2K pop and trip-hop, After is quickly becoming one of my favorite bands. The L.A based duo released their single “Outbound” in August, and I can’t help but feel like I’m in an episode of Gilmore Girls every time I listen to it. Reminiscent of a Natalie Imbruglia or Mandy Moore song, it sounds exactly like something I would’ve heard on the radio on the way to elementary school on a cool Autumn morning. I’m obsessed with how well they capture the early 2000s sound while still managing to be fresh and original.

Mirtazapine – Hayley Williams

Paramore frontman Hayley Williams just released her third solo album, Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party. Out of the 19 songs featured on the album, “Mirtazapine” is a personal favorite of mine. The sulky vibes of the song perfectly match its morbid meaning of prescription drug dependency, and I love the callback to classic early 2000’s pop-punk mixed with Hayley’s own flair.

Everyone but You – Coco & Clair Clair

I really enjoy it when an artist decides to take a risk, deviating from their typical sound, and can successfully stick the landing. “Everyone but You” by Coco & Clair Clair is a great example of this. Known for their playful bedroom pop, such as “Pretty” and “Pop Star,” the duo switches it up on this Smashing Pumpkins-esque, 90’s alt-rock track. The instrumentals scream fall to me because of how well it was able to replicate the sound of the post-grunge era. Coco’s soft yet defiant raps aimed at a flaky love interest, Clair Clair floating on a hazy chorus, and the build-up to a climactic guitar solo are what make this such a good song.

Sticky – Raven Lenae

You might know Ravyn Lenae due to her viral hit that rose to popularity earlier this year, “Love Me Not.” While the song and Ravyn herself are more than deserving of the newfound success, Ravyn is an incredible artist whose discography is full of hidden gems. “Sticky” is one of them. With funky, bass-heavy production from Steve Lacy and Ravyn’s signature light and alluring vocals, the pair created one of the most hypnotizing songs I’ve ever heard. Psychedelic and lush, “Sticky” is a standout in Lenae’s discography.

Rill Rill – Sleigh Bells

Despite being an indie sleaze sensation when they debuted with Treats in 2010, Sleigh Bells have stayed as a criminally underrated band. At their peak, “Rill Rill” was their breakout song, and it still remains their most popular to this day. While I think they have better songs, “Rill Rill” is their most known for good reason. Sampling “Can You Get to That” by Funkadelic, it’s a breezy, repetitive pop song that’s bound to get stuck in your head. The sample loops over and over accompanied by cow bells and vocalist Alexis Krauss’ sing-songy vocals that flow so naturally throughout the whole track. A favorite of mine to listen to on an afternoon drive.

Cigarette (Demo) – Lexie Liu

Ever since C-pop singer Lexie Liu released her EP Teenage Ramble in October, I’ve had “Cigarette” on repeat. Though it’s just a demo, I think it’s a must in your fall rotation if you like dark pop. I’m completely obsessed the minimalistic, alt-rock production and sultry vocals. There’s something about this song that makes it exude such a cool energy and it takes me back to the early 2010’s Tumblr era of alternative music. I’m hoping one day we’ll be able to hear the full thing.

End of Small Sanctuary – Akira Yamaoka

When I’m walking back to my car after a long day of being on campus, and the sky is turning orange and everything’s getting dark because of the sun setting, this is what I play on repeat. Akira Yamaoka’s compositions for the Silent Hill games range from unsettling, dark ambient to various rock genres. “End of Small Sanctuary” from Silent Hill 3 falls into the latter. Despite it being an instrumental track, it oozes nostalgia and mellowness through gloomy guitar riffs that make it the perfect song to wind down to. For such a short song that barely spans two minutes and doesn’t have words in it, it really encapsulates what fall sounds like to me: calm, grungy, slow, and somber.

Oh Me – Nirvana

Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in New York is considered one of the best live albums of all time, yet it feels like the only songs on there that are really acknowledged are their covers of “The Man Who Sold the World” and “Where Did You Sleep Last Night.” Personally, I think “Oh Me,” originally sung by the Meat Puppets, is one of the better tracks off the album and showcases the more folksy side of Nirvana. Kurt Cobain’s raw, yet peaceful vocal delivery over melancholic guitar chords and harmonies creates an almost ethereal performance. This is my go-to when I want a relaxing acoustic song to listen to, especially during this season.

Jetpacks for Julian – Alison’s Halo

Shoegaze is such an essential fall genre for me. I can’t get enough of the fuzzy textures combined with delicate, airy vocals, and I think should be the default background noise for autumnal days. We’ve gotten a lot of great bands due to the genre. Alison’s Halo is one of them, even though they only have one full-length album to their name. One of my favorites of theirs is “Jetpacks for Julian,” mainly thanks to the melodies sung by lead vocalist Catherine Cooper that are incredibly captivating to listen to. This song is so whimsical, and it sets a cozy ambiance that fits fall really well.

Brokenhearted – Brandy

To close this list out, I want to recommend what I consider to be the perfect slow jam for when you want to get in your feelings on a rainy November afternoon, stare out the window, and pretend you’re in a music video. Brandy sings her heart out on this moody yet motivational track, declaring that while she’s hurt, she’s also determined to heal from the experience and move on with her life. I think that’s what makes this song so great–it’ll make you sad, but it’s equally as warm and soothing.

As we approach the end of the fall semester and finals are slowly creeping up, having an outlet that allows us to destress is important. Music serves that purpose for many. These songs have brought me comfort and will continue to throughout the next month and a half, and I hope at least one of them can do the same for you, too.