This week, I am all about getting into the fall mood with some quintessential coffeehouse indie-folk. While I’m walking to class with my feet hitting the pavement, I want to be absorbed by acoustic guitar and gravelly vocals to pretend I’m cruising through the beautiful foliage of the New England suburbs. Here’s what I’ll be listening to:
“Shrike”— Hozier
Hozier finally left whatever cave in the middle of the woods he has been hiding in for the last four years and blessed us with this gem from his new EP, “Nina Cried Power.” Honestly, at this point Hozier could release just about anything and it would join my heavy rotation the second the first leaf of the season hits the ground.
“Heartbeats”— José González
This is actually a cover of a Swedish synth-pop song by The Knife, and the vibe could not be more different. José González’s version is so beautiful and calming for me.
“No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross”— Sufjan Stevens
This is my favorite track off of “Carrie & Lowell,” which is the perfect fall album. Sufjan’s voice is almost like a whispering lullaby that is comforting despite the very depressing lyrics. There is something about fall and cool weather that just makes me want to indulge in all my sad feelings and embrace the release.
“White Winter Hymnal”— Fleet Foxes
I know it is only the beginning of October, but I couldn’t help myself from including this winter-themed bop. It just isn’t fall if I’m not listening to Fleet Foxes.
“The Girl” — City and Colour
I love how this song completely changes pace two minutes in, then again during the last minute of the full six-minute track. Although each part is so different, it blends together to create a really lovely ballad.
“Rivers and Roads”— The Head and the Heart
This song is about separation from your loved ones, which can be a very relatable feeling as we approach the middle of the semester.
“Nancy From Now On”— Father John Misty
There is a lot to unpack in Joshua Tillman’s (aka Father John Misty) lyrics, as he is the king of religious imagery and addressing of inner demons. However, for my purposes, at face value this song sonically fits in well with this playlist.
“All is Well” — Austin Basham
This song includes the healthy dose of banjo necessary to truly call this a Fall indie-folk playlist.