Songs that Sound Like Texas Autumn

Juniper Wolff

Local Music Journalist

As temperatures finally drop below triple digits, I can safely say that fall is here. Nothing beats the slightly cooler air, crunchy leaves on the ground, and overall calming environment of Texas autumn. For me, fall truly hasn’t taken effect until I’ve created a playlist to match the relaxing ambiance. “Fall Music” differs from person to person. In my opinion, the best fall music is music that has warm, overwhelmingly fuzzy tones – similar to a cozy sweater. The following tracks truly embody this “cozy sweater” fall-time spirit.

The Moon – The Microphones

“The Moon” is the third track of The Microphones’ cult classic album, “The Glow, Pt. 2.” I find “The Moon” to be the most fall-sounding track without explicitly mentioning fall-Esque lyrics. Throughout the song, there is a constant, comforting lo-fi hum. Phil Elverum’s subtle, lowkey vocals create a perfect balance between the calamitic, shoegazey instrumentals. This track, in my opinion, is Elverum’s magnum opus compared to the rest of the tracks on the record. Give this track a shot the next time you’re walking between classes in the Quad.

Jeremy Parker – Swirlies

Similar to “The Moon,” “Jeremy Parker” by Swirlies hosts a comforting hum of background vocals, but with a twist with the vocals. Compared to Elverum’s masculine vocals, “Jeremy Parker” creates a balance between Damon Tutunjian’s masculine vocals and Seany Carmody’s feminine vocals. As with most fall-sounding tracks, instrumentals take a priority, while still having meaningful vocals as a backdrop.

Drop Nineteens – Delaware

As the opening track for Drop Nineteens’ 1991 debut album, “Delaware,” the beginning of the album begins with a slow fade in of one of the best basslines in their discography. As opposed to the previous songs mentioned, the vocals take more of a priority. Greg Ackell and Paula Kelly’s vocals create a beautiful harmony backed by a catchy bassline and simplistic drumbeat. Despite the simplicity throughout the majority of the track, the drum beat picks up pace towards the end of the track, creating a uniquely comforting finale.

Relay – Trauma Ray

Originating out of Dallas before moving to Houston, Trauma Ray perfects the Texas fall atmosphere. Similar to the other tracks mentioned, there is a shoegazey, floaty feel to both the vocals and the background guitar. What makes this track special compared to the rest is the unique, almost jangly feel of the lead guitar. The album cover itself represents the music quite well, as it uses floaty visuals, bringing the idea of a nostalgic memory. If you’re looking for a track similar to “Relay,” “Blend” has a very similar style of production, with jangly guitars taking center stage.

Breakbeats – Pasteboard

The final track I could not leave out of a fall-oriented playlist is “Breakbeats” by Pasteboard. This Japanese shoegaze track puts the instruments at the forefront. As with all shoegaze, the vocals aren’t as prominent, however in this case, they feel almost like a lullaby; like a comfortingly cool breeze. The catchy, dreamlike guitar hook is incredibly soothing, so I don’t recommend this track if you’re needing to stay awake.