You know what new seasons bring? Well, besides plenty of crimsons, navies and browns in the ole closet, we have new excuses to compile songs together for our friends to keep them in tune with what is catching our ears, blowing our minds and giving us a more profound understanding of the 2015 human experience. Without further ado, let's dive into the leaf pile --
Ben S.
Pharoah Sanders - Harvest Time
evocative, groovy and introspective.. this 20 minute late 70's period Sanders jam has been getting a daily 9am spin from me for the past three weeks or so
Isley Brothers - Summer Breeze PTs 1&2
I'm on a massive Isley Bros kick right now and could have checked about 20 different tunes here (Footsteps in the Dark, Voyage to Atlantis, Between the Sheets for starters...) but their version of Summer Breeze is so killer. It evokes anything BUT summer vibes. That fuzzed out guitar lead is so mournful and psychedelic, it's a rush of melancholy to the dome.
Ben B.
Rick Ross - Hustlin’
Violet dances to this one like a boss. I also like the idea of Noriega owing a rapper a hundred favors.
Spiritualized - I Think I’m in Love (a cappella)
Jason Pierce never really gets credit as a vocalist or lyricist. But his multi-tracked vocals here, stripped of instrumental accompaniment, are unadulterated beauty. The lyrics, vacillating between picture-paintingly perfect and the absolute depths of depressive addiction, are perfect ends of the spectrum. I cry a little bit at the “Love in the middle of a afternoon” line.
A record that doesn’t seem to make sense yet absolutely kills it. A classic.
Cam S.
Chris Knox - Not Given Lightly
Have only listened to Knox's Toy Love until now, but I saw Captured Tracks' re-issue of this LP when picking up Vault LPs at United Record Pressing. This song revealed itself as a genuinely sweet-hearted highlight.
Institute - Perpetual Ebb
I caught Iceage and Institute earlier in the summer at The End on Elliston Place. I came for Iceage and left with an Institute 7". So good.
New Order - Temptation
Fall is the seasonal equivalent of approaching a red light 500 feet away. I've just gotten into New Order for the first time ever and this song strikes the sweet spot between summery hopefulness and wintery isolation.
David S.
James Ferraro - Skid Row
Fall means starting to stay inside when you'd otherwise be out.
Gray - So Far, So Real
At the same time, with the turn of the season comes a feeling of wonder.
JEFF The Brotherhood - Seasonal Jam
This song has the word 'seasonal' in it.
Jamie G.
Stone Harbour - Summer Magic Is Gone
Bridget St. John - Autumn Lullaby
Mark Fry - The Witch
Jessi Y.
Dead Meadow - September
Besides the telling title of the song, the overall vibe is obvious of summer vibes coming to an end. The beginning riff starts bright and then gets hit with some heavy drone that transports you from the whimsy of summer to the dismal beginnings of winter. Combined with the bridge, this song's sure to get you in the autumn mood.
Okay - Natural
Marty Anderson, with his simplistic melodies and raspy voice, has me swooning in any season, but he pulls my heart strings hardest when the leaves change and the birds fly south.
Karen O. - Crush Songs
I attempted to pick a single song, but the entire album seems to reflect my feelings toward the changing seasons as well as changing emotions. Listening to these songs remind me of the innocence of having a crush and falling in love but also of the hurt of rejection and falling out of love. The majority of the album has an eerie tone that gives me chills just like the autumn air.
Cody S.
Porto Pical - Autumn Girls
A sweet trip hop remix of Doris Day's version of Autumn Leaves. This is windows down, volume up, sunset banger.
Drake feat. Lil Wayne - Ignant Shit
It's been Drake season since summer 2007, but during autumn it is especially essential to listen to plenty of October's Very Own. The ideal listening scenario of this Wheelchair Jimmy throwback is accompanied by champagne flutes, rosé and when you get shots brought over - it sounds better when you're not sober.
Post Malone - White Iverson
Keeping this track, which might be the breeziest song of the summer, on repeat for as long as possible is the only thing holding me back from prematurely falling into my winter depression where I only listen to Amnesiac and that compilation of Nick Drake's mom singing and playing piano.
Daniel D.
Big Maybelle - Turn the World Around the Other Way
This time of year I really start to miss Summer and face the inevitability of Winter. I think about all the things I was supposed to do that I haven't and all the things I wish I could change about the world.
Blu - Keep Pushin
The fall is a very introspective time and I feel spacier than normal. I love the nonchalant train of thought flow that just puts you in someone else's head. To me, the warped record piano sample on the beat is a perfect soundtrack for the fading leaves and the earth tones of fall.
Willie Hutch - I Choose You
This is the song sampled on UGK's "International Players Anthem." I love that song but I just really love the original. It just makes you wanna smile and love somebody.
Rebecca C.
Karen Dalton - Something's On Your Mind
Because there's never a wrong season for KD
Jesus & Mary Chain - Just Like Honey
Because that heartbeat back beat is everything
Wet - Deadwater
Because these sweet humans have such a fantastic focus, and I can't seem to shake this song out of my head, in the best way
Chet W.
Jesus and Mary Chain - Head On
I don’t know why but it’s always a fall tune for me. Definitely has to do with the weather outside. P.s. The Pixies version is not near as cool. It’s more spring.
The Fall = Theme From Sparta F.C.
Have to include a song by The Fall, especially when it’s one of the coolest footie anthems of all time . . . and soccer season is in full swing by October.
WE LIVE ON BLOOD!!
WE ARE SPARTA FC!!
Erik Satie - Gymnopedie No 1
The musical embodiment of ee cuming’s poem “l(a)"
l(a
le
af
fa
ll
s)
one
l
iness
which in turn embodies when fall leaves.
Honorable Mention: The Doors - Summer's Almost Gone
Put on a sweater and sip hot chocolate reflectively as Mr Mojo Risin’ croons:
We had some good times
But they're gone
The winter's comin' on
Summer's almost gone
Karl B.
Big Maybelle - Goin' Home, Baby
Because going home is such an autumn place to go back to.
Marty Robbins - Don't Worry
Because bass distortion in a country song.
Cocteau Twins - Cherry-Coloured Funk
Because i just found out about heaven or las vegas this year and its soooo good. Thanks to Paul Riddlesworth at Too Pure Singles Club for the introduction.
Joshua G.
Tod Dockstader - Traveling Music
RIP Sweet-Pea
Billy Joel - All of His Greatest Hits at Once
RIP Uncle Jeff
