As we begin to settle into the crisp and chilly weather, you might already be preparing your fall playlists. I always look forward to when I am able to sit on a cold park bench with a hot drink in my hand, and my headphones on, watching the brown and orange leaves flutter around in the air. What better way to romanticize fall than listening to music? Here are some of my personal favorites that I have been enjoying this fall.
“Well I Wonder” – The Smiths
A beautiful and heart wrenching song. The Smiths are known for their melancholy themes about love and loneliness. Morrissey’s voice is gentle and whimsical, which makes their music calming and perfect for cold mornings and nights.
The lines “Gasping, dying but somehow still alive / This is the final stand of all I am / Please keep me in mind” talk about feeling so helplessly in love that you feel you are suffocating from the yearning. Recently, this has been one of my favorite Smiths songs. The vibe reminds me of a dull, and cold Monday morning. Though that might sound depressing, we often find comfort in sadness. My favorite part of the song is the ending where you can hear the pattering of rain with the guitar, which brings feelings of familiarity, calmness, and comfort.
“A Fragile Thing” – The Cure
It still doesn’t feel real; The Cure are back and have confirmed the release of their new album Songs of a Lost World on November 1st. “A Fragile Thing” is one of the pre-released songs on the album, along with their first pre-released single, “Alone.” “A Fragile Thing” is my favorite out of the two so far, and I have already added it to multiple playlists. The song feels so new but so familiar as it possesses a sound similar to their Disintegration album—magical synths, dramatic keyboard, and layered guitars. Along with having a similar sound to Disintegration, it has a depressing vibe similar to their 1982 album Pornography. As I get ready to submit my college applications, hopefully this new album can be a nice treat.
“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” – Blue Öyster Cult
BÖC never fails to be one of my favorite bands. “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” is a classic of theirs, and is the perfect song for October. The song is about eternal love and the inability to avoid death, while also learning not to fear it. Its distinctive riffs, iconic guitar solo, and unique melody have made it a classic rock staple, and popular Halloween song. The song also showed up in the movie Halloween (1978). This is the song that got me into BÖC, and it will always have a special place in my heart.
“Freelove” – Depeche Mode
A timeless and beautiful love song. The lyrics highlight opening your heart out to love without worrying about the burden of negative emotions and hidden catches. When I first listened to this song, its enchanting melody and lyrics had me captivated. I knew I became obsessed with this song once my Spotify Airbuds app notification told me I had listened to the song 27 times in one day. In my opinion, “Freelove” is one of the most underrated Depeche Mode songs, and deserves more love and recognition.
“The Prettiest Star” – David Bowie
Who doesn’t love to jam out to some Bowie? “The Prettiest Star” has been on repeat for me lately and is quickly becoming one of my favorite Bowie songs. What really draws me to this track is the crisp guitar and solo near the end played by Marc Bolan, and the addition of the saxophone which gives the song a rich sound. The lyrics are romantic and lovely which ties the whole track together. Aladdin Sane, the album on which “The Prettiest Star” is featured, is a complete work of art, a 10/10.
“Heaven or Las Vegas” – Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins have created the definition of dream pop. Lay on your bed, close your eyes and listen to this song. You will feel like you are in a completely different world. The band’s album Heaven or Las Vegas (1990) is a shift from their gothic aesthetic in their earlier albums such as Treasure (1984) and The Moon and the Melodies (1986). The song is magical and whimsical, like a sweet treat to the ear. Now, I might not be able to make out the lyrics just by simply listening to the song, but once you read and understand them, it makes the song even more special. The vocals and guitar on this track are absolutely brilliant, and make it one of the best songs on the album.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Gv7c5yPoyPd1k2nrsKmpe?si=x57tQVeRS7GxU6oES6wM3w
