As we are now deep into fall and are approaching time off from school, there is no better time to listen to some good music. Whether you are on a road trip, flight, or taking a walk through the neighborhood, here are some “fall music” suggestions that I’ve found myself listening to a lot lately:
Who Knows – Daniel Caesar
Daniel Caesar has probably been my most listened to artist for the past few months at this point, and a lot of that can be attributed to his new album Son of Spergy. I thought it was a beautiful LP from front to back that rivals Freudian for the best album in his catalogue. Who Knows was one of the songs from it that stood out to me personally. Caesar’s soft, layered vocals, in combination with the subtle background guitar, create a really stripped-back soundscape that still packs an emotional punch. If you have enough time, I would recommend giving the whole album a listen, as it really is a fulfilling experience.
29 #Strafford APTS – Bon Iver
Bon Iver has been a staple of my fall listening habits for years at this point, and I think if there is one song that relays that fall feeling, it’s 29 #Strafford APTS. Despite its eclectic title, it sees Bon Iver returning to his For Emma, Forever Ago sound, relying on acoustics rather than synthesizers. I would say it creates that feeling of sitting on the porch of a cabin watching the trees with their reds, oranges, and yellows.
Laughing – R.E.M.
Most people reading this have heard R.E.M.’s music, as they have released several generational tracks. Laughing, while it may not hold the popularity of Losing My Religion or Everybody Hurts, is one of the band’s best songs, in my opinion. It is a pretty straightforward track from them, but it is executed perfectly. It has been my go-to road trip song this fall, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys R.E.M.’s other work.
Open waters – MAVI
Mavi is one artist that I believe deserves more recognition. He has consistently put out top-tier conscious rap projects for years now, and his most recent one, shawdowbox, continues this trend. Open Waters is one of the standout tracks, and to me, it serves as a chill, laid-back record that you can put on during a hazy fall morning. There is also a wonderful feature from Malaya that rounds off this terrific rap ballad.
Dancing Circles – Sampha
If you haven’t heard any of Sampha’s solo work, you have most likely heard one of his features with mainstream rap giants like Travis Scott, Kanye West, and Drake. And while these features have led Sampha to receive acclaim from fans and critics alike, he has rarely released music on his own. When he has dropped, though, it has been phenomenal. Dancing Circles from his 2023 album Lahai showcases this brilliance with its entrancing production and pure vocals. The listening experience feels like letting out a warm breath on a frigid December afternoon, where you see the smoke rising into the evening sky.
