Dailey's Music Picks for the Fall

I’m a firm believer in seasonal songs. I’ve got music that I love all year long, but there’s a certain feeling that comes with listening to the right music at the right time. After a whole lot of trial and error as well as extensive, expansive research, I have compiled a playlist of songs that I believe to sound the very best in the Fall.

I’ll be explaining some of my picks. Here’s the link to the playlist if you wanna follow along!

1.  Johnny by Basement Revolver
I found this song in late September of my Freshman year. Funnily enough, it played during the radio show I hosted with some friends at the time. There are songs in our system that the management team picks out to share with staffers every week, and Johnny happened to be one of them. It’s kinda sweet to think about it now that I’m a manager myself. 
Not only does it have those nostalgic ties, but the album cover is super earthy too- greens, reds, browns and all that. Fall colors! It’s really that simple for some of these.

2.  Sarah by Alex G
This one could definitely be argued for any season (it’s just that good), and I can totally see why. Still, I am of the opinion that Alex G sounds nicest in the fall. He just played Riot Fest too! It makes sense in my brain. I do still love this song year-round though. If I could only listen to like ten songs for the rest of forever, this would definitely be one of them.

3.  The Purple Bottle by Animal Collective
Another one that I hold very close to my little heart. Again, almost perfect for any other season, but entirely perfect for fall. The whole, “Can I tell you that you are the purple in me?” part sounds like standing on the beach, but in a jacket. Hopefully I haven’t lost you guys here. This is one of the less moody songs on this list, which is good. Gotta have some variety.

4.  Gold Rush by Taylor Swift
Or literally ANY song from Folklore and Evermore. Any and all of them. It is impossible to disagree with me here, just look at the cover art. Folklore came out last year at the tail end of July, and Evermore in early December, which was the only mistake Taylor made as both are entirely suited for fall. 
In third grade I went with my mom to see her play some big stadium on her Red tour. I swore that she totally sucked and that I totally hated her music...I really tried to pretend that I was too good for it. So glad I got over all that. I love Taylor Swift very much. 

5.  Debbie Downer by Courtney Barnett
This song is so me in my Doc Martens late to class in mid October. I cannot explain it better.

6.  Uniform by DLCL
Pay attention to your Discover Weekly on Spotify because it really is worth it. I found this song there last week, and I doubt I would have otherwise. I couldn’t tell you much about DLCL besides that they deserve some more recognition. Definitely a grungier, moodier song which I love right now.

7.  Slop by Forth Wanderers
Speaking of grungy, moody stuff…this song fits the bill too. It’s another one I found as a freshman during my radio show, and I’ve loved Forth Wanderers ever since. Their discography is a goldmine. The vocals are really beautiful, raw, and almost gutting at times. Something about their music is really relatable to me, and it goes beyond the lyrics alone. If I had to explain who I think that I am to somebody else, I would definitely use Forth Wanderers at some point. It’s cool finding music that suits you. In a perfect world I would give each member of the group a hug, a big thank you, and at least $20.

8.  Play Ball! by Modern Baseball
I was going to leave this one out for dignity’s sake, but if there has ever been a time to listen to Modern Baseball it would be right now. I’m kidding! It is completely fine to listen to Modern Baseball anytime. Personally I limit myself to one season. Last year it was winter, which was a little too much! Fall is a lot better I believe (easier emotionally).

9.  CREEP U by Black Dresses
This is a super recent find for me. I felt like I had heard of Black Dresses before, and upon checking their Spotify page I realized that I had. They’re on that 100 gecs remix of 745 sticky, which I can’t really comment on. I don’t typically get into music of this genre. They define it as “electric rock ‘n roll” which I think is spot on. I dig this song though. 
Halloween is creepy! Pretty clear correlation to our fall theme.

10.  When You Die by MGMT
Another spooky little song to add to the list. I love this one best when I’m driving at night, crisp October air blowing through the open windows. It’s just perfectly suited for the season. I need not say anything more.

11.  My Name is Dark - Algorithm Mix by Grimes
This one has a lot of the same energy as the last. It’s moody, it’s awesome, it’s kind of creepy, and it’s absolutely for the fall. I’ve got this one downloaded for passing periods on days when I’m feeling especially sinister in the hallways. If I could go as Grimes at the Met Gala for Halloween this year I would. 

12.  Crab by Alex G
Another one by Alex G, except this one is kind of unsettling? The carousel-esque piano parts sound like sinking, especially as the song ends. It is wonderfully dreadful. I would recommend the entire album for the season as well, it’s my current favorite of his.

13.  Jobless Monday by Mitski
It’s probably not a playlist of mine if Mitski isn’t somewhere on it, which some could argue as a bad thing (can’t entirely blame them either). I’ve listened through this album before, but somehow this song slipped past me and I’ve only started paying attention to it recently.
It’s got that grungy sound that fits our theme and I love how it progresses. I can scream it AND I can cry to it. I think that’s awesome.

14.  Build God, Then We’ll Talk by Panic! At the Disco
Throwing it so far back with this one. Every time fall comes around and school starts again, I return to my seventh grade playlist. Every single time. Something about this album entirely fits the theme here. Halloween isn’t scary. What’s scary is that someone you pass in the hallway could be listening to Panic! At the Disco, and you would have no idea. That someone is me.