All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey. Autumn is well underway, bringing with it a shift in mood, atmosphere, and music. To soundtrack the season, we have gathered five dreamy, evocative tracks by Dublin and Trinity artists guaranteed to freshen up your playlist.
Burning — Child of Prague
Perhaps Trinity’s brightest musical stars of recent years, Child of Prague offer a distinctive blend of genres that yields the ideal autumnal atmosphere. “Burning” fits the season best: a distinctive, ethereal track where the line between comfort and disquiet constantly blurs. As the instrumentation builds, its lo-fi ambience and vocals feel at once immersive and stifling. There is a hypnotic mystery in the song’s isolation — a suspension between unease and solace that mirrors autumn’s position between the warmth of summer and the chill of winter. Deeply atmospheric, “Burning” evokes a lonely, dark night by the seaside.
Distance — Avery Grace
The debut single by Trinity indie-folk sensation Avery Grace remains one of her finest works. The Connecticut singer-songwriter blends the warm, acoustic textures of Gigi Perez with the airy vocal delivery of Gracie Abrams to foster a gentle, evocative atmosphere. That initial whisper of melancholy eventually swells into a cathartic crescendo. Grace’s storytelling is haunted by fading memories and heartache, yet anchored in a quiet resilience. Both reflective and rueful, “Distance” is perfect for a quiet, darkening autumn afternoon, watching the twilight draw in as you remember the last warm dog days of summer.
Evergreen — Light Gallery
Formed by Oisín Mac Cann, this five-piece folk band weaves a touching narrative of transience against the gentle cadence of a warm, acoustic guitar line. In just three minutes, the band deftly captures the quiet complexities of grief and heartbreak. The track has a distinctly solitary atmosphere, echoing the lyrics in its exhausted, vulnerable portrayal of not quite feeling understood. This sincere reflection on change — complete with its delicate, melancholy outro — pairs seamlessly with the shifting weight of autumn. Listening to “Evergreen” feels like walking through a bustling town, chestnut leaves drifting across the pavement, while feeling entirely alone.
The Great Wall of Montreal — Llama Cult
The musical style of last year’s T-Ball Battle of the Bands winners Llama Cult is tailored to autumn listening. Led by Karl Tuohy and Donagh Kelly, “The Great Wall of Montreal” is one of the folk ensemble’s signature tracks. Its warm, slightly lo-fi atmosphere manages to feel deeply immersive despite its acoustic simplicity. “Montreal” is wrapped in lyrics that delicately tread the line between cryptic and evocative. Whatever meaning you draw from them, the song possesses a rare magic: it envelops the listener in memory, quietly pulling you back to playing games in the garden in the simpler times of childhood.
Voicebox — Cicada
The most melodically powerful song on this list, “Voicebox” is a pure alt-rock anthem. Driven by a rhythmic beat that draws the listener in, lead singer Chiara Giannini’s vocals are yearning and dramatic — striking a balance somewhere between Paloma Faith and Lyra. Backed by rich harmonies that showcase the band’s natural chemistry, the lyrics deliver a fabulously rebellious pushback against being silenced. Its expansive, rousing chorus is a breath of fresh air. Fiery and optimistic, “Voicebox” feels like a crisp, golden autumn morning, the air full of newfound momentum for the day ahead.
