As the leaves change colors and eventually collapse to the ground, a certain feeling permeates the air: fall has arrived. With the change of season from the glossy, pop-like feel of summer-time, fall brings a harsh reminder that winter is coming.
Although fall itself isn’t harsh - it actually might be the most moderate season of the year - the season brings a halt to the fast-paced season just past and moves at a more sluggish pace. The music in this season is more introspection than dance, romance versus party, reality in contrast to fantasy.
Okay, the first song on the playlist may contradict everything previously written, but it’s one of the better releases of the fall. The new single from Bruno Mars, “24K Magic” is a summer-time party anthem and a braggadocios ode to excessive wealth. A continuation from the smash single “Uptown Funk,” “24K Magic” sees Mars channeling a rapper’s swag with 1980's pop synth production that makes for an incredibly fun listen. Bump this song as the last piece of summer to hold on to.
The next song comes from a Canadian pop sensation that isn’t named Drake or Justin Bieber. The Weeknd has been on a meteoric climb since “Earned It” was amongst the top songs on the 2015 Billboard charts. Now “Starboy”, the title of the lead single from the same titled album is back at a similar place, currently number two on the charts. The song is a direct contrast to his previous dark R&B sound, but a continuation of the pop aspirations he has. “Starboy” has its dance-infused production courtesy of Daft Punk, but the lyrics feel grittier and cold. The self-proclaimed “King of the Fall" may bring credence to that statement as this is definitely one to keep in rotation.
That other Canadian pop sensation just released what is sure to be another chart-topping single. “Fake Love,” amongst the three songs Drake premiered on his Beats 1 radio show OVO Sound Radio has a hint of tropical flavor similar to “One Dance” and “Hotline Bling”. However, “Fake Love” is scathing and a stark reminder Drake has reached the musical mountain top that may come with its fair share of snakes. A vehement reply to any and all naysayers, “Fake Love” hides its jaded lyrics with a nice beat.
Similar to The Weeknd, this time last fall, an R&B sensation blossomed in Bryson Tiller. His debut album "TRAPSOUL" was one of the most well received albums of the year and propelled the new artist to superstar heights. “Let Me Explain,” his first song in a year, is the return of the cold-season crooner. The ode to 1990’s R&B production in the sample has become Tiller’s staple, as he navigates a conversation with his girl that is reminiscent of early Drake. The slowed tempo of the song is quintessential fall and winter music and readies the return of Tiller.
Although released with an album nearly a year old, “Send My Love” by Adele is another song that has bubbled up recently perhaps due to the timing of the season.
The tempo slows down, the mood gets darker and the tone gets more serious, all signs that fall is in air; play these songs to match the feeling.
