my top fall albums
As much as I've tried to come up with a quirky entry for this post, I haven't been able to. And then, as I was listening to Conan Gray, I understood. Fall and well, the entirety of the year, haven't felt natural, at least to me. My country is still in the midsts of quarantine and me being such an emotional lad, music is the way I have to channel my emotions, both hearing and writing it. Truth be told, music is a lifesaver for me. And well, during this fall with cozy vibes and stuck at home as though time's not moving (but it really is), I've compiled a list of my favorite albums to endure this season... let me know if you've heard any of these, and if not, they're definitely worth a try.
Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent.
Trust me, I know the title sounds a bit quirky or funny, but that's the only funny thing about this album. Being the debut album of Lewis Capaldi, I didn't expect such mastery in lyrics, feelings and vocals. Songs like 'Before you go' or 'Hold me while you wait' have such a strong surge of emotions and it is the perfect ambience album, since most times the instrumentals throughout the album are pretty much guitars or pianos. It is a tough album to listen to, especially if you relate with some of the lyrics, and through and through, it is a masterpiece of emotions and acute humanism, at least in my experience.
RED
Now, we all know how good a lyricist Taylor Swift is, but more often than not, songs with such a great, gripping sentimental value are underestimated or forgotten, especially in this album. While 'All too well' takes the stardom of the album as the most heart-warming song, there's also soft ballads like 'Sad, beautiful, tragic', or 'I almost do' that are overlooked by the general audience. Obviously, the topics of these songs are about heartbreak, and her style dating back to said era was fall inspired, but if you listen to the album from top to bottom, it is a statement of a good lyricist and a great story to tell.
I met you when I was eighteen
Pretty sure Lauv isn't that popular, but I'll never understand why. I fall in and out of love with this album at various periods of the year, but it is a solid record with catchy lyrics and relatable songs. I'm sure the title might be a little cheesy, but that stage of awkward teenage years is something we all go through, and Lauv does wonders to catch it and write about it. Favorites like 'Bracelet' and 'The Other' tell the story of a love that ended up not working out, but the story is told throughout the album, making it a cohesive piece. It is a great record to have on the background as you study or drive at the night. Definitely a keeper.
Remember
If you've actually heard about Elina's EP, please let me know. She's such a wonder but hasn't kicked into mainstream media just yet. Songs like 'Another Round' and 'Paper Airplanes' make up for a sad time and a lovely tune with little to no help from studios, since most of her songs just have a piano and her voice. It is as if I'm being sung to sleep every time I hear it, really. She is able to represent such clear, melodic pictures with just a few lines and her voice is solely captivating. If you're looking for a new artist to follow, definitely check her out.
Romance
Despite a hazy rollout at the end of last year, Camila Cabello has made herself known with catchy pop songs mixed with latin sounds. Truth be told, the singles of this era were strong but displayed way too close together, making the audience confused as to the cohesiveness of the album. While being her sophomore album, she manages to also paint clear pictures of what love feels like while keeping her voice the center of attention. Songs like 'Bad Kind of Butterflies' or 'This Love' were the ones that never got to be singles in a messy release, but are definitely worth a listen. She does a precise job at telling raw feelings, almost as good as her freshman album, reminiscent of songs like 'Consequences' or 'Something's gotta give'. While there's not an element of cohesiveness for this album, I don't think that's the main point or why it should even be qualified. Go check it out, promise you won't regret it.
Heartbreak Weather
Truth be told, I wasn't much of a fan of Niall Horan until I heard this album. Sure, his lyrics aren't to a Taylor Swift's point, but they're pretty good and catchy. The overall theme of the album is another gripping, relatable one, and the songs have a high but not heavy production. The last songs on the album 'San Francisco' and 'Still' are undoubtedly the most heart-felt of this album and the ones I keep going back to because of the symbolism and acute feelings behind them. If you haven't given Niall Horan a chance since his departure from pop with 1D, you should definitely give this a listen.
Folklore
Are we even surprised Miss Taylor is here twice? No, not really. It is not a secret all the milestones Taylor broke with her eight studio album, and these are all well-earned merits. The songs are not from her personal point of view, which is her first album to do so, and instead, she takes on the omniscient narrator perspective with most of her songs, except for the trio of a triangular love story 'Betty', 'Cardigan' and 'August'. Her lyricism, if you ask me, reached a level of exquisiteness unlike any album of hers before, and if the lead single, Cardigan, doesn't tell you enough about the ambience and mood of this album, I don't know what will.
Melodrama
If you're surprise Lorde made it to this list despite releasing this album almost three years ago, you shouldn't be. Her lyricism is to be compared to Taylor Swift's, and this album is full of intricate lyrics, catchy hooks, and a story through and through. Her songs are always full of symbolism, and the way she juggles her voice with the tune and melody to express such wonderful feelings is something that makes her—and this album—unique. While this is an album you can hear pretty much every day of the year, the sad songs like 'Liability (Reprise)' and 'Writer in the dark' make it to be appealing throughout this fall season. Grab a coffee, some books and blast this while it's foggy outside.
bye, sad girl
I have just discovered Hollyn, but her album is such a nice vibe and a strong feeling. While the album talks about a break-up and the mixed feelings that come after it, she does an splendid job at capturing that juvenile personality and the sarcastic, almost bordering mean tone that comes with being hurt. I like it because it is a respite from the main streamed albums, and it is also a new artist that deserves so much praise. Songs like 'I think we should break up' or 'I wasn't enough for you' are real and relatable to most, plus making her statement with quirky lyrics and upbeat rhythms.
Kid Krow
Conan Gray has become a sounded name ever since 'Heather' hit the top 50's on Spotify, and believe me, I love the song too. While his lyrics are really advanced and in tune, his personality is also felt throughout the album in songs like 'Maniac' or 'Wish you were sober' which could honestly have been written by Taylor Swift. That's how good those two songs are. It also hits a harder, rawer note with songs like 'The Cut That Always Bleeds' and 'The Story'. If you haven't heard the album, do yourself a favor and grab a blanket, prepare to get in your feelings.
So there you have it. Ten albums I know by heart and LOVE listening to when the weather's chilly outside, swimming in my bed with a hoodie and sweatpants. I hope you give some of these a shot, and if you do, let me know. I'm also looking for new recommendations. Let me know!
Profuse greetings, Mel.
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