As the term gets busier and bunnyhugs get fluffier, we turn to music to keep us sane and heat our chilly souls. These albums are sure to warm you up and add some freshness to your fall mix.

Half-Light by Rostam 

Following his departure from Vampire Weekend, multi-instrumentalist Rostam Batmanglij’s debut solo project is intimate and sincere. Released on Sept. 15, Half-Light is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for the most current tunes to spice up their library. Ethereal chamber pop mixes seamlessly with refreshing world beats — with a few surprises thrown in for good measure — making Half-Light a treat for both your ears and stereo speakers.

Rostam compliments these stellar beats with lyrics that evoke senses of longing, love and the craziness of the modern world. This is an album for those looking for an escape from reality, where all that exists is in your ears and your head and everything outside of that can wait for just a little while longer.

White Lighter by Typhoon

Hailing from Oregon, Typhoon is nothing if not special. Ranging anywhere from 11 to 13 members at a time, and mixing alternative rock with big band flourishes, Typhoon weaves tight composition and layered sound with dense lyrics to create incredibly poignant songs that stick with you long after they’re over.

White Lighter is their third album and has tracks marked by intensely personal lyrics entwined with astounding instrumentation. Though it definitely taps into the melancholic, frontman Kyle Morton never forgets to add some warmth to his sonic bonfire. With so many musicians blasting through your stereo at once, White Lighter makes those lonely fall nights a little less lonesome.

A Boy and His Kite by A Boy and His Kite

What’s a fall playlist without some cozy, acoustic-driven indie jams? A Boy and His Kite has you covered with their self-titled debut. Laid-back but never lazy, the album floats its way across 12 tracks with little fanfare, perfect for those chill fall evenings. The album’s few moments of bombast never overstay their welcome or disturb the homey atmosphere infused throughout the LP.

Easily relatable themes of love and all things to do with being young make this a great recommendation for anyone looking for easy beats and heartfelt melodies. Before you know it, A Boy and His Kite will nestle its way into your fall playlist like a nice, warm cup of tea — dependable, familiar but always welcome on cool evenings.

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Reid Braaten