As the leaves turn brown and the air gets cooler, cozy up with The Eagle staff’s specially curated picks for the perfect fall playlist.
“Northern Attitude” by Noah Kahan with Hozier (2023)
From Jessica Ackerman, Arts and Entertainment Editor
A fall playlist would be incomplete without Noah Kahan and Hozier, the dynamic duo that has recently taken folk-pop music by storm. Hozier’s feature on the song, a rerelease of the original in 2023, complements Kahan’s lyrics with his signature wistful vocals that add an ethereal touch to the already cherished tune.
The song, originally released as part of the “Stick Season” album, encapsulates Kahan’s complicated relationship with the nostalgia and resentment he has from growing up in New England. Kahan does so through references to long nights and cold weather, which are slowly starting as fall approaches in D.C.
Playing “Northern Attitude” while walking to class on a brisk autumn morning is sure to get anyone into the cozy and nostalgic mindset that the turn of the season is known and loved for.
“October Passed Me By” by girl in red (2022)
From Alia Messina, Life Staff Writer
“We Fell in Love in October” by girl in red is one of the most viral songs to enjoy during the beginning of fall. However, many people seem to have missed the fact that girl in red has released a sequel to her biggest hit, “October Passed Me By.”
“October Passed Me By” and “We Fell in Love in October” function as two sides of the same coin, with girl in red telling the story of how she fell both in and out of love with a girl during fall, her favorite season. “October Passed Me By” reflects positively on the relationship and the self-discovery she underwent amidst the autumn air.
“In The Living Room” by Maggie Rogers (2024)
From Penelope Jennings, Sports Features Editor
Maggie Rogers dropped her single on Oct. 8, the day before the resumption of her Don’t Forget Me Tour. It was also a gorgeous fall day in her native Maryland, making her lyrics about the changing of seasons even more tangible. She said in an Instagram post that the song was written in March 2023, a transitional period much like October.
“The seasons changed, it broke my heart,” Rogers sings in the chorus. She’s full of reflection as she remembers this past relationship that we can easily apply to autumn’s natural mourning of summer.
“Traveller” by Chris Stapleton (2015)
From Marina Zaczkiewicz, Managing Editor for Life
Chris Stapleton’s music represents the intersection of country, blues, rock and a mix of other genres. However, what makes “Traveller” such a great track is its use of storytelling to convey aspects of what we think of as the journey of life.
Stapleton’s rough yet soothing voice enters calmly with the line “I see the sunrise creepin’ in.” A few seconds later, the pace picks up with the line “I’m just a traveler on this earth.”
Throughout “Traveller,” Stapleton sings of uncertainty, love and the pursuit of his future. With the song’s general theme of going through life, it’s hard to listen without reflecting on your own journey towards finding a purpose.
“Echo” by Clairo (2024)
From Emma Taylor, Life Staff Writer
Clairo’s newest album, “Charm,” perfectly encapsulates the feeling of walking down the street in the brisk autumn air, watching the leaves change color. The heavy jazz and blues influences evoke feelings of romance and nostalgia for listeners.
In the album’s ninth track “Echo,” the continuous organ and guitar lines paired with Clairo’s whispery, haunting voice emanate an ethereal yet eerie vibe that can only be associated with the days leading up to Halloween and the middle of fall.
The instrumentals in “Echo” can be compared to the ones of Mazzy Star: nostalgic yet haunting. Lyrically, the song is about a dying love, but the instrumental feels more like a romanticization of the dull autumn weather.
During the song’s last verse, Clairo sings “Our love is meant to be shared / While our love goes nowhere.” Before she delivers the last three words, the music completely cuts out for a beat and resumes, leaving the listener with a contemplative hauntedness.
“Lovers’ Interlude” by Burrrn (2024)
From Alfie Pritchard, Silver Screen Editor
We’ve finally been graced with a new Burrrn album just in time for fall.
“Without You” is filled with more of their fuzzy, ethereal and lo-fi sound reminiscent of the autumn season. Album-closer “Lovers’ Interlude” sees the Tokyo-based shoegazers at their best on their first project in 13 years.
The drums deliver head-crashing beats, and the dreamy vocals vital to any shoegaze track are immaculate. You can’t beat that guitar solo, either. It’s rhythmic, noisy, romantic and atmospheric; “Lovers’ Interlude” feels like a moonlit slow dance caught in a harsh D.C. wind.
“Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat” by Del Water Gap (2020)
From Gabby Landis, Life Staff Writer
This last song was on the fall playlist well before its sublime feature in the newest season of the hit Netflix show “Heartstopper.”
“Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat” is a clever nod to multiple complicated romantic situations, whether it be an unrequited crush or a recent ex you still love.
Its catchy guitar riffs will leave you tapping your feet for hours at that Halloween kickback.
While songs can be played at any season, certain sounds are just so reminiscent of specific times of year. This track is no exception, perfectly capturing the essence of fall-time yearning with the sultry, desperate vocals of one-man-show S. Holden Jaffe.
This article was edited by Tyler Davis and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks, Emma Brown, Ariana Kavoossi and Charlie Mennuti.
