Indie-Pop: “Linger” by The Cranberries
Gentle and hypnotic, this track is a nostalgic and quietly heartbreaking fall classic. Guitar, strings, and light percussion ground Dolores O’Riordan’s floating voice in a romantic and cinematic approach. Repetition and chord progressions ‘linger’ as the title suggests, creating an air of nostalgia perfect for the fleeting days of fall.
Folk Rock: “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac
Stevie Nicks’s intimate vocals drift over a simplistic country-folk inspired acoustic guitar beat, evoking introspective contemplation and nostalgic appreciation. Buckingham’s delicate and spacious guitar voices elicit vivid images of reflection, autumn leaves, and growing pains, perfectly matching September’s shifting, back-to-school mentality.
Indie-Alternative: “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day
Built around a simple but powerful chord progression relying on the dynamic contrast of soft verses against roaring, full-band choruses, this track is an emotional crescendo. The lyrics — written about the passing of lead singer Billie Joe Armstong’s father — treat September as a metaphor for grief and mourning as Armstrong’s vulnerable, chant-like vocals shine.
International (Indie-folk): “Le Vent Nous Portera” by Sophie Hunger
This international composition pairs acoustic guitar, trumpets, and subtle percussion instruments to create a delicate, emotional atmosphere. Verses float over a soft repeating beat as minor keys shift, building intensity and flowing like a changing wind. Originally by French band Noir Désir, Hunger’s rendition is dusky and entrancing.
R&B: “Dark Red” by Steve Lacy
Perfect for late fall nights, Lacy’s “Dark Red” is rooted in an addicting guitar loop and baseline. Notable for being recorded and produced on Lacy’s iPhone using the music production GarageBand app, the lyrics are an anxious plea bracing for heartbreak. Seasonal reflection fills suspenseful chords while soulful harmonies echo classic R&B.
From a Soundtrack: “Can’t Catch Me Now” by Olivia Rodrigo
Ethereal and haunting, simplistic plucked acoustics and a marching timbre back Rodrigo’s cinematic, swelling vocals. Repetition and a dynamic melody build tension and deliver a defiant, dramatic, and windswept feeling of finding freedom.
Folk-Jazz: “Autumn Song” by Van Morrison
Featuring piano, doubled guitars, and Morrison’s narrative vocals, this record is a jazzy, upbeat love letter to autumn. Sitting at ten minutes, thirty-eight seconds, it’s an epic of a song perfect for sitting in a coffee shop (and reading The Gamut!).
