Seasonal music taste and distaste: Why Autumn sounds different to Summer.
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As the seasons change, so do our music preferences. The trees shed their leaves in showers of gold and vermillion, and we shed our upbeat summer playlists for something more mellow. The autumn equinox, or the start of astronomical autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, hit on September 23rd. Night is gradually conquering day; it’s no wonder we want warm comfort in a time of darkness and cold.
Why does this happen? Thankfully, Terry Pettijohn, a professor of social psychology at Coastal Carolina University, wondered the same. According to Vinita Mehta from PsychologyToday (2017), his study found that music taste is influenced by natural light and how threatening our environmental conditions are. Now, hopefully none of us live in life-threatening situations… but an increase in schoolwork, harsher weather, and isolation from peers that emerges in autumn technically make our environment less favourable. Preferred music during this autumnal period tends to be more comforting, slower, and much more emotional, implying that listeners subconsciously want to be soothed by their songs.
As the seasons warm, music preferences consequently become more upbeat and carefree. Students are released from school, people feel optimistic, and the newfound sprouting of vegetation signals a fresh start. While we are in the thick of autumn, and spring and summer are unfortunately still a way off, here are five songs that emulate slowness and warm timbres to keep you warm in this dismal weather.
- Sunrise by Norah Jones
- Imagine the dewy rays of the sunrise peeking over the horizon and softly waking you up. This song is just what you need on a slow morning. It feels like gentle light washing down your face. Norah Jones’ music in general is perfect for autumn; her smooth voice feels like a warm cup of coffee.
- Crash Into Me by David Matthews’ Band
- I first heard this song in the film Lady Bird, and have been obsessed with it ever since. It bodes very well for the transition between summer and autumn, as it leans a more sombre tone, but is still pleasantly upbeat. It’s great for brisk walks to lectures and basking in cigarette-smoke-tinged air that singes your cheeks with cold.
- Wasteland, Baby! by Hozier
- It would not be a complete autumn playlist without some Hozier. His voice glides through the beginning of this piece like an exhale of fog. Imagine walking through Hyde Park on a cold November morning with his gentle vocalisations warming your ears. The echoing and low-pitched vocalisations, combined with the guitar and slow tempo of the piece, remind us to slow down, take in the beauty of falling leaves, curl up in front of a fireplace, and relax at the start of a new academic year.
- Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo
- Is something indie-rock more your style? This song retains its mellowness with softly muted reverberations and a steady electric synth sound. Its fuzziness gives the feeling of being wrapped in a thick knitted blanket on the couch, looking out of a rainy window that shields you from the battering wind.
- Bulletproof…Wish I Was by Radiohead
- A theme in all of these pieces is the presence of an acoustic guitar: it appears that gentle strumming is very suitable for autumn. The elongated vocalisations of Thom Yorke in this misty and mysterious song suit dark autumn nights.
These song choices are reflective of the criteria Pettijohn found in his study regarding seasonal music tastes. They are more soothing thanks to their emotional lyrics and slow tempo, contrasting starkly with the jovial tunes we would find at a summer pool party, such as Teenage Dream by Katy Perry. No matter your preference for seasons, the music team at the Gryphon hope your music remains comforting amidst the brittle cold.
Words by Camilla Minarov.