Sweater Weather

Goose, Novo Amor, Ryan Adams, and other fall time greats

The Music Swap

Oct 20, 2023

Cause it's too cold

For you here

And now, so let me hold

Both your hands in the holes of my sweater

—Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood

The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler, and the leaves are beginning to change, which means the shift to a new season has happened. Whether you live in a place with four seasons or a place with only a few, fall can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Join us today as we venture down a leaf filled path and uncover songs that express what fall means to us. Stay til the end for a “Fall Time Greats” playlist from our Bonus Track guest.

Grab your sweaters, because it’s that time of year.

Elmeg The Wise by Goose (Adam)

And on his breath red leaves they flew
Their branches shook the autumn through
No words were spoken silence, still
He led me to the standing hill

This Goose tune is an epic tale that takes the listener on a voyage with an encounter including an ageless man carved into a tree who takes away all doubts and concerns. This is some trippy stuff, yet beautiful all at the same time. The change in season from summer to fall is similar in my mind. The transition to cooler weather and leaves falling gives me a sense of peace I don’t feel the rest of the year. That is exactly what the traveler is experiencing in this wonderful narrative. Recently Elmeg was released alongside Travelers I & II as the Autumn Crossing EP. Listen to them together while taking a walk, trust me.

Also available on Apple Music.

Oh, Round Lake by Novo Amor (Kody)

Spotify recently served up Novo Amor to me. He’s a big deal, but somehow I hadn’t heard his music. He has a catalog full of sweater weather vibes that remind some of another sweater weather hero, Bon Iver.

Oh, Round Lake takes me to scenes full of foliage surrounding the small round lakes I’ve been to many times. From youth group campouts to men’s weekend retreats, oh, round lake, you’ve always been there to cement fall sweater weather in my memory.

Also available on Apple Music.

Oh My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams (Mat)

There's nothing quite like the weather breaking in the Deep South. Those first crisp mornings of the Fall are a welcome relief from the dog days of Summer. I am not sure why, but I can't help but listen to Ryan Adams during this time of year. And there's something about "O My Sweet Carolina" that gives the perfect cool weather vibe. Perhaps it's the folksy feel or perhaps it's the sadness of the song reminding me that, despite the fact that the cool weather is refreshing, I am nonetheless sad to see Summer go. Either way, Ryan is right: "The sweetest winds they blow across the South.”

Also available on Apple Music.

Bonus Track: Fall Time Greats by Joel Whitson

Overcast and foggy mornings with sharp breaths. Bright, sunny afternoons where you can roll the windows down. Warm toned, cool air evenings where a coat is too much but a shirt just isn’t enough. When my brain thinks “sweater weather” this is the day in my head. You need a sweater in the morning and in the evening, but at midday you might be able to push the sleeves up a bit. This season forces a weird shift in my life. It is the start of melancholy days, but only in the morning and evening hours. The midday, afternoon, and late night hours seem to be some of the most fun. So when I think about sweater weather albums I am torn.

If I had to pick an album it would probably be Letters to Lost Loves by Tyson Mostenbocker. In 2019-2020 I had a roommate named Kaleb who introduced me to Tyson. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think but I kept listening. And as I kept going I enjoyed it. Sure enough this first album from Tyson has become a fall staple. Maybe it’s just the association of the seasons. But it is an indie-rock, americana-pop blend that reminds me of fall. Overcast and cold mornings with bright and warm afternoons. It is a serious album starting with a doubting song struggling with the sickness of his mother. And immediately after this song you are hit with two tracks full of pop inspired guitar. This album is fun but grounded. That’s how I think of the fall, fun but grounded.

To be frank, I am not sure if I have a “this is my sweater weather album.” There are, however, multiple songs that I, for one reason or another, associate with the fall and sweater weather. Below are some honorable mentions and a few key songs in my fall playlist.

Album Honorable Mentions:

Dark Arc by Saintseneca – crazy fun folk instrumentals with strained vocals. Exciting and “fall” in the instruments.

The Church of the Good Thief by Right Away, Great Captain! – Andy Hull is just that guy (Manchester Orchestra, Bad Books, Right Away Great Captain! and the soundtrack for Swiss Army Man). This album is slow, making you feel like a prisoner waiting (but that’s the charm of it, this album is part of a story and that is what is happening here. All you need to know is the tetralogy is about a sailor who is at sea to confront his anger about his wife and brother having an affair). It’s a solemn album but that is what you need sometimes.

Mirage Rock by Band of Horses – this album makes me think more of the mid-day on an average fall Saturday. Open dry grass, leaves on the ground and the sun shining bright.

Fall Time Greats Playlist:

Key Songs:

California Dreamin’ by Jose Feliciano

Isaiah by Noah Gunderson

90 Proof by Smino and J. Cole

Running Back to You by Hampton Road

Eliana by Low Groves

Utah by BrotherKenzie

Phoenix by Big Red Machine

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Joel Whitson is a doctoral theology student in Kansas City, Missouri. His all time favorite band is either Indian Lakes or Pinegrove. His concert bucket list would be Rage Against the Machine, Rush, Outkast, Parquet Courts, Dominic Fike, and Greta Van Fleet.

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Swap some sweater weather songs with us! What songs get you in the mood for evening fires, football games, pumpkin patches, and leaf peeping? We love to hear from you.

-TheMusicSwap