Although the Fall equinox was almost a month ago, it‰’s finally starting to feel like the changing of the seasons we all anticipate as we make it through the seemingly endless dog days. The annual switching of tank tops to sweaters in my closet and stocking up on fuzzy socks is a pretty exciting event. I hate the cold, but I love the feelings of warmth that come with changing leaves and sips of hot cocoa. If there‰’s anyone out there who dislikes autumn,  I haven‰’t met them and I don‰’t think I want to.

Another transition to be made as the cold fast approaches is, of course, what‰’s playing in the background. I find myself listening to less of the sunshine-y, embrace the day indie that‰’s perfect for summer days, but I‰’m not yet prepared for angst-filled alternative that I listen to in winter because I‰’m a bitter child in the cold. The solution? Acoustic acoustic acoustic.

What‰’s more fitting to cocoon yourself in soft blankets than the soft strumming of guitar and beautifully articulated chords and melodies? Nothing, really. Walking to class and want to pretend you‰’re in a Nicholas Sparks movie (admit it, you love them)? Here‰’s some twinkly sounds and romantic lyrics. Acoustic indie-folk is the enchanted forest of music, and I can‰’t get enough of it.

With all the madness going on, and there‰’s always madness going on, it‰’s imperative to have a way to unwind. Do you ever get that feeling in your brain that it‰’s all static? When things are a mess and you can‰’t stop thinking about how it‰’s all a mess? Soft, calm, music is the only way I can get that static to quiet down, and from there I can concentrate on what needs to be done and how I‰’m going to do it. Take time to curl up with your favorite music, and time will return the favor by slowing down a bit.

“Cliche Fall Hoe‰” tracks:

1. Hole In My Hand – Francis Benjamin Leftwich

2. Flightless Bird, American Mouth – Iron and Wine
3. Hello My Old Heart – The Oh Hellos
4. Bones – Dustin Tebbutt
5. Run – Rhodes
6. Lifeline – Ana Brun
7. Lua – Bright Eyes
8. Let It Go – James Bay
9. The Darkest Side – The Middle East
10. Winds of Change – Vance Joy

Spotify Playlist: https://play.spotify.com/user/1224601037/playlist/3O0lHfMsVIwGodoRBOUr8t

Take some time to really feel these songs, as cliche as that may sound. But if you don‰’t let yourself indulge in the best aspects of the season out of fear of being so, you‰’ll get swept away as fast as the leaves do.