Slow September
I don’t think September knows what to be. It starts with Labor Day, the long summer days are slowly becoming shorter and by the first “-ber” ends, it’s fall.
Slow is the first word that comes to mind. Quiet is the second. It’s a long sigh that closes out the hot, sunny season. It’s softer than the rest of the summer months, not as loud as, say, July.
It’s warm enough to sit on the beach, but not hot enough that you’re huddled under an umbrella sweating from the sun.
It eagerly welcomes in the crisp fall mornings and earlier evenings. It’s not as witchy as October, but it still sounds like Hozier and Pheobe Bridgers.
Something about it feels hopeful- like a fresh beginning. Maybe it’s the back-to-school season that I can’t separate from September even as an adult. September is a little dark academia, a touch of Gilmore Girls, a smidge of browsing a used bookstore for reading on your porch as the sun sets.
To me, September sounds like an acoustic session. If it were a playlist, it would be mostly stripped down, orchestrated by soft acoustic guitars and strings, maybe a touch of piano, and a strong dose of a delicate, vintage sound. It might be a little poppy, but September definitely isn’t heavy on synthetic instruments. There is some heavy folk, singer/songwriter influence. Is there a harmonica? It will probably make an appearance.
The vocals of September pour out like honey, the words flow easily, but they carry a depth to them. It’s contemplative and introspective. Perhaps a little broody. September very well may be a thought daughter now that I think of it.
Just like September itself, the playlist flows in and out of summer and fall sounds and themes. It starts with songs about summer. Holly Humberstone sings about late nights in a swimming pool.
The middle goes back and forth between summer and fall songs, mirroring inconsistent weather caught in transition. The “Bells in Santa Fe” by Halsey rings fall in officially and the rest of the playlist flows into fall.
I hope you enjoy this playlist and enjoy listening to it as you say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.
xoxo
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This is an interesting thought experiment. I definitely have playlists in my mind that evoke summer, but generally haven't considered seasonal -- or even monthly -- playlists that evoke the feelings of those times.
Some good tracks here! I'm going to have to chew on this some more, but appreciate the thoughtful review of what September "sounds like."
If you're still interested in a substack music league, there's one just getting started. See here -- https://shapedbysound.substack.com/p/the-times-are-tough-now-just-getting