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Every year, the media agonizes over selecting a song that defines the summer season. It’s a silly tradition, yet most of us partake in the discussion (even if it’s just to shake our fists at Iggy Azalea, Robin Thicke, Katy Perry or whatever other problematic pop star dominated the airwaves for a few months). The chosen winner is, almost always, an upbeat track that people would describe as “catchy” and/or “fun”.

My personal picks for 2014 were documented here. They veer away from the standard with selections like Joe‘s “Till The Rope Gives Way“, Nina Persson‘s “Sometimes” and Jinkx Monsoon‘s “A Song To Come Home To“—each equipped for singing along on a long drive—but the usual formula is in effect with breezy pop numbers like Charli XCX‘s “Boom Clap“, Hilary Duff‘s “All About You” and Mariah Carey‘s highly underrated “You Don’t Know What To Do“.

With fall upon us, I’ve spent far too much time contemplating what the season sounds like. The concept for my playlist “Now That’s What I Call Autumn! (2014)” went through several transformations before I eventually decided to throw together all the bits and pieces and call it a day. Here is a list of the various inspirations:

• White people drinking pumpkin-flavored beverages in coffee shops and saying “ah” after every sip.
• Trees performing an extended striptease until they are completely naked in front of us.
• The crippling realization that winter is right around the corner.
• Feeling jazzy in your favorite cardigan or sweater.
• Pretending the handle of your rake is a microphone to perform for an invisible audience in your backyard.
• The satisfying crunch of dry leaves under your feet.
• Waiting for The Great Pumpkin.
• Saying you’re going to go apple picking, then never finding the time.
• Being annoyed that holiday decorations are out too early.
• Looking out a window at foliage and letting your soul say “ah”.
• Practicing your signature walk in a crosswalk, as if it’s your personal runway.
• Pie. Just pie.

Now that I’ve bored you with this embarrassing collection of clichés, you’re welcome to head over here for a full tracklist… And, hey, just for fun, why don’t you leave a comment or tweet at me your personal picks for the songs of the season? I’d even just love to hear what you feel defines a song of autumn, if anything.

Azealia Banks - Fuck Up The Fun
ScienZe & King I Divine - Happiness Is (featuring Sene, Blu & Britain Parker)
Big Baby Gandhi - American Experience
Locke Kaushal - Ninth Inning

DOWNLOAD FULL PLAYLIST HERE

1. Azealia Banks – Fuck Up The Fun
2. ScienZe & King I Divine – Happiness Is (featuring Sene, Blu & Britain Parker)
3. Big Baby Gandhi – American Experience
4. Locke Kaushal – Ninth Inning
5. Cam’ron – So Bad (featuring Yummy Bingham)
6. Death Grips – I’ve Seen Footage
7. Danny Brown – Grown Up
8. ScHoolboy Q – Blessed (featuring Kendrick Lamar)
9. SpaceGhostPurpp – No Evidence
10. Courtni Starr – Charlie Brown Teacher
11. Styles P – How I Fly [(Remix) featuring Avery Storm, Curren$y & Nitty Scott, MC)]
12. Vado – Badman (featuring Lana Del Rey)
13. Blaze Burna – Weed (featuring Devin The Dude & Smoke DZA)
14. Nas – The Don
15. Symphony – Do U Like That (featuring Daz Dillinger)
16. Ghost Loft – Blow

DOWNLOAD FULL PLAYLIST HERE

Savoire Adore - Dreamers (The Golden Pony Remix)
The Golden Pony - Find Our Gold

I have never heard Savoire Adore‘s “Dreamers”, nor do I ever intend to. For whatever reason, The Golden Pony‘s remix is enough for me. I could blame this on my weakness for dance music. I could blame this on the glass of white wine I just guzzled to deal with the heat… Or maybe it’s just plain great? Unclear! But I think it’s the wine.

Photo via: shebicycles