Like your wardrobe and go-to in Starbucks drinks, your taste in music can change with the seasons. While summer is the prime time for throbbing pop beats and club tunes, fall signifies the reboot of schoolwork, routine and wearing socks.
Musically, it is a mellower time. This transition isn”t immediate, but the following five albums are perfect for when the change from constant 90-degree weather gives way to falling leaves and you”re feeling a bit nostalgic for summer.
1. “One of a Kind” by Aer
Considering Aer”s mellow reggaepop-rap sound, this album is perfect for days when it”s not cold enough for those socks yet, but a jacket is necessary. The duo”s fourth full-length release since their debut in 2011 keeps with the band”s consistently smooth beats and lyrics. The title track and “I”m So Gone” are easygoing but reminiscent of the freedoms of summer, while “The Rain” takes it down a notch, signifying the culmination of not only the album but also the carefree season it reflects.
Lyndsie Kiebert
2. “Inanimate Objects” by Atlas Genius
Anyone who has ever listened to the indie rock station on Pandora knows Atlas Genius” popular track “Trojans” from its 2013 release “When It Was Now.” The band”s newest release, “Inanimate Objects,” is well rounded and fairly pop-charged but not without the harsher tones of alternative rock. “Where I Belong” is arguably Atlas Genius” best work yet, and “Levitate” provides enough wistfulness without being too folky.
3. “Strange Trails” by Lord Huron
In comparison to Lord Huron”s first album, their second album, “Strange Trails,” is highly cohesive and even upbeat in places. This album is definitely pushing more toward the indie folk side of things, making it almost a cliché for the autumn months. But that”s the thing about clichés – they”re often worn out for good reason. “Fool For Love” is upbeat and carefree, while “The Night We Met” is a mellow masterpiece of melodic and lyrical proportions. This album is fall colors and chilly air put into song.
4. “Kintsugi” by Death Cab For Cutie
Serious question: Can you really go wrong with Death Cab? Maybe what comes to mind is the stereotypical junior high soundtrack of angst, “I Will Follow You Into The Dark,” but DCFC has become so much more since 2005. The band”s most recent album displays an array of sounds, from the darker side of their style (“You”ve Haunted Me All My Life”) to a more upbeat indie rock flair (“The Ghosts Of Beverly Drive”) to somewhere in between (“Little Wanderer”). So, to answer the question, can you go wrong with DCFC? No – and fall is the perfect time to reconnect with this talented band.
5. “Black Bear” by Andrew Belle
It”s almost impossible to categorize Andrew Belle, especially based on this album, but the best way to explain his style is probably Bon Iver meets M83. Soft vocals and slow electronic rhythms create a new genre almost all his own, and the result is nostalgia in musical form. Tracks worth highlighting are “Pieces” and “Wants What It Wants,” but the real triumph of “Black Bear” is its ability to be played over and over without ever getting old. Make some tea, slip into those wool socks, and enjoy.
Lyndsie Kiebert can be reached at [email protected]