Spice Up Your Listening: An IG Staff Playlist

By Imaginary Gardens Staff; Introduction by Eli Kolesar, Editor

Fall is here, even if it really feels like Summer II: Electric Boogaloo. Thankfully, people and companies are breaking out the pumpkin spice and Halloween candy, so we can get our fall-flavored caffeine and sugar fix. And since it’s supposed to be Fall, Imaginary Gardens has brewed up a Fall-themed playlist to listen to while you drink lattes and munch on treats. We’ve got some cozy crooning, some spooky serenades, and a few songs that just feel like the crunch of the first fallen leaves underfoot. We hope you enjoy!

Fin Jump

“The Chapel” by Elio Mei

This song brings me the same joy as stepping on a crisp autumn leaf. Mei manages to rap his story of melancholy anemoia in a comforting melody that “itches my brain.” 

“Prelude (Over the Garden Wall)” by The Blasting Company

It goes without saying that it simply isn’t Autumn without Over the Garden Wall. If you haven’t partaken in the annual fall tradition of cozying up for this annual cartoon binge with some seasonal snacks, this is your sign. 

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Rebecka Jones, Staff Writer

“The Meaning of Life” by Josiah Queen

Although this song isn’t about the fall season, the calming acoustic guitar brings a beautiful melody that reminds me of a cozy autumn day. The lyrics are powerful and relatable, expressing how people search the world for meaning in life but don’t realize what is right in front of them. Sometimes we chase meaningless things and grow numb from the pain it causes us, so Josiah Queen encourages us to follow our faith to find joy.

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John Medina, Staff Writer

“Sensitivity” by Ralph Tresvant 

With Grand Theft Auto VI coming out later this year in November, I have been revisiting some of the previous games to prepare for one of my most anticipated releases of the year. I’ve recently rediscovered my love for GTA San Andreas. I originally played the game when I was way too young, but revisiting it as an adult is such a treat! The game is so fun and has such a great story, especially for the era it was released in. It is also a lot more arcade-y than future releases, which I appreciate. One of GTA’s features that I cherish most is its extensive radio stations. This feature has introduced me to some of my favorite songs that I still listen to, even outside of the game. The track “Sensitivity” by Ralph Tresvant is no different; the song falls on the radio station CSR 103.9 (Contemporary Soul Radio). When I initially heard the track, I thought it was some obscure Michael Jackson song I had never heard. This song is such a bop and really lovey-dovey; I would recommend giving it a listen. 

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Jacqueline Ayala, Social Media Editor

“Deny Deny Deny” by Noah Kahan

The Great Divide album is an absolute chill autumn evening wrapped in a box. Something about Noah Kahan makes me realize I am not alone in my experiences. Fall, as beautiful as it is, can be a bit lonesome as the colors change. Even as much as I love this season, it’s not the easiest thing to try and remain positive. “Deny Deny Deny” has the relaxing beat of the drum and the exact release of frustration you need to relax this fall. Let out all your emotions and sink back into your comfort!

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Addison Chrivia, Managing Editor

“Autumn in New York” by Billie Holiday

A cozy and slow song by the queen of jazz, listening to it makes you want to put on a record and read a book with a cup of warm chai while the leaves change shade. It celebrates the simple things in life and the beauty that can be found in New York City. Whenever I think of autumn, I always think of jazz music and rainy days, solving sudoku with my grandma in her sunroom, and droplets of water hitting the skylight. 

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Emma G. Harrison, Editor-in-Chief

“Just Wonderin” by Caamp

Fall is such a perfect time for music in general, from country to jazz, all the way to folk. But there is truthfully nothing I love more than listening to Caamp in the fall. They have this wonderful way of combining the fall genres I love with notes of folk, bluegrass, and indie. “Just Wonderin” is a song that tells a story of reflection. Lyrics like “Just wonderin’, is this the way to spend your life?” emphasize this as Caamp challenges the traditional ways of love. Picking just one song to recommend is hard, so my real recommendation is to search “Caamp” wherever you listen to music, then press shuffle! 

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Blake Wilson, Staff Writer

“Drown” by Strange Boutique 

I love fall as a season: wearing sweaters, drinking tea and coffee, playing cozy games. But I feel like one of the coziest aspects of fall for me is embodying the gloominess of it. Though I do not have the appearance of someone one may assume is “gothic”, I LOVE music from the gothic scene. Drown is what I put on the moment the first day of fall starts, when the sun goes down and everything reminds me of cauldrons brewing potions and black cats.

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Anya Edwardson, Graphic Designer 

“Bottle Opener” by Gus Dapperton

Gus Dapperton has a way of blending the easing sound of his voice with mesmerizing synths and acoustic tracks; meanwhile, he paces out the entire song with catchy choruses backed by upbeat drums, making sure it gets stuck in your head. “Bottle Opener” was an intro to the wider spectrum of music for me, and will always hold a place in my heart for being the musical companion to my floortime naps or occasional walks.

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Emma K. Reagan, Staff Writer

“Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac

While this may be a less cozy song, “Rhiannon” is perfect for the spooky season. You can tell by the way Stevie Nicks eases into singing that this song is about a witch. I absolutely love the way the guitar creeps in the background behind Stevie’s raspy voice. The power of the lyricism in this song allows our imaginations to take us to a foggy night. While there are many songs that feel spooky in a tacky way, this song is spooky like an old legend you tell around a fire on a cold night.

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Anna Matsen Cantrell, Faculty Advisor

“Hanuman,” by Rodrigo y Gabriela

Some music resonates with me due to its flavorful musicality, while other tunes flare up undeniably intense memories associated with my first listen — the musical equivalent of eating too much wasabi, yet tearing up with defiant appreciation in the face of any who expect a sigh of regret. “Hanuman” (the whole album 11:11, actually) has taken root in my mind and heart for both reasons. I first heard the acoustic shredding of Rodrigo y Gabriela just before exiting modern civilization for a week of “period” camping and foam weapon fighting at Ragnarok in Pennsylvania. The pounding flair of this unplugged flamenco-metal fusion ironically calls up fond memories of dressing in pre-gunpowder era garb, dancing and drinking among the elves of Mirkwood, fighting alongside a legion of noble Romans, and generally having a grand ole time amid diverse fantastical and historical ruffians. Though the end of our last trip resulted in my travel partner and me parting ways, this music transcends that drama — as it should. I cannot give up such a comfortably loop-worthy piece of “focus music” — able to displace my inner dialogue with just the intricately pounding riffs to complement household chores, assignment grading, and more. May the spice of your personal adventures always enhance, never taint, your taste for profound musical innovation and inner-mind soothing sonic artistry.

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Heather Lee Schroeder, Faculty Advisor

“Dragonrider” and “Holy Rage,” by Kiki Rockwell

The incomparable Kiki Rockwell, with her lispy, pure singing voice, brings alive medieval mischief in the songs on her album, Eldest Daughter of an Eldest Daughter. From catching and taming a dragon to ride to religious mania, Rockwell’s music evokes the smoky luster of the dark season. No one does witchy feminine rage better than Rockwell. Perhaps it was being raised by a therapist mother or her deep immersion in the classics (with a special interest in Circe and Persephone) that allows her to create lush musical journeys, or perhaps, like her fictional characters in her songs, she, too, is beset by visions and portents. Whatever drives her, I’m ready to be transported.

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Eli Kolesar, Editor

“The Burning of a Salem Witch” by THØRNS

While not actually about the Salem Witch Trials, the quick, thumping beat and low tones of the lyrics give the impression of being stared at and judged by unknown eyes, which is mildly disturbing for some and downright horrific to others, a feeling that goes well with the Halloween decorations being put up.

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Katherine Long, Cartoonist 

“That Unwanted Animal” by The Amazing Devil

I don’t know how I found this song, but it feels very fall-like to me, specifically reminding me of Halloween. I love the strings and drums combining to make a crisp, clear sound that feels like a cool breeze blowing through, and the whole song feels rather eerie. I love the chanting and pounding drums in the back, and the way the lead singer sings throughout the whole thing, giving the song a wild, eerie quality. Overall, a great song that feels very fall-like and mysterious, like something wild is living in the woods.

“Sleeping Giants” by the Crane Wives

I love this song; with its pounding drums and pulsing rhythm, it feels very energetic, like a crisp, clear fall day. It is very upbeat, and the final chorus is absolutely incredible. It feels like something that would be amazing to sing while dancing and spinning around a campfire with friends on a cold evening, with the moon gleaming overhead. I think a lot of The Crane Wives’ songs that I have listened to feel very fall-like, and I recommend checking them out, but this one is by far my favorite.

The Oh Hellos and Yaelokre

I love every song I’ve heard by both these artists; they remind me of fall and nature. I especially associate the four winds albums by the Oh Hellos with autumn and Halloween, because I listened to them while I worked on my Halloween costume two years ago. The songs in these albums feel to me like a community coming together for a festival, and I think they are beautiful. Yaelokre’s music feels very wild, like a part of the woods, and I highly recommend listening to it all. I can’t pick a favorite song, but I added a couple ones I really like from both artists. I highly recommend listening to the full albums; they are all so good and are a great listening experience outside when you can feel the cool breeze blowing around you (finally!), with the smell of fall in the air.

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Katie Extine

“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult

I found this song because of a SNL sketch from 2000. In the episode hosted by Christopher Walken, featuring Will Ferrell as a member of a band; other members include Chris Parnell, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Kattan, and Horatio Sanz, he starts playing a cowbell in the most ridiculous manner ever. The actual song doesn’t feature a loud cowbell, unlike the sketch, and is a very chill song. It reminds me of a slightly cloudy November afternoon.

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