Over the years I’ve developed a sort of routine where I randomly select tracks for a playlist that help me get into an Autumn frame of mind. The autumn months being my favorite time of year, it also tends to fall alongside my best creative output, so whatever I can do to mimic that feeling helps spur along a little extra something, I suppose. This is a handful of songs from that playlist which sort of welcomes me into that beloved time of year, as well as informs a project that I’m currently working on, so it’s a double win for my ears and brain.

1) MARK MCGUIRE - “BEHELD” (NIGHTSHADE - 2012)

This is a track from McGuire’s recent Japanese tour cassette. He’s a member of the band, Emeralds, and he’s sort of known for creating these dreamy soundscapes through loops and guitar improvisation. It’s chill stuff, but it’s always interesting. [SPOTIFY]

2) FILM SCHOOL - “PS” (FILM SCHOOL - 2005)

Film School’s first album is one of those severely underrated albums of the 00’s, but it’s also a shoegaze treasure that deserves more credit than it received upon release. The song “PS” is one of my all time favorites, but it’s also one of those songs that I break out when I want to fall into a mood. It will always remind me of strolling the streets of the west village of New York City in the fall, killing time while waiting for this someone who is no longer in my life, but who’s then tardiness made me fall madly in love with my surroundings and this song. [FACEBOOK/ WEBSITE]

3) LITTLE GIRLS - “DELAWARE” (CULTS EP - 2011)

I don’t know what it was about the Cults EP by Toronto’s Little Girls, but it just screams “Halloween” for me. Being a guy who counts the days till that time of year (not out of some inherit goth-iness, but because I’m just a lover of all things Halloween),this thing played like a soundtrack to the season. I don’t mean that in any sort of campy way, it’s a genuinely dark album, full of all sorts of sinister sounding post punk jams, but it also has an energetic vein that makes you want to dance. Like all good classic post punk should. [WEBSITE]

4) CAMERAS - “POLARISE” (IN YOUR ROOM - 2011)

Dark and atmospheric stuff. The album didn’t live up to my expectations, but it’s an engaging listen and a handful of tracks are genuinely great. Sounds sort of like Emily Haines (Metric) fronting Portishead. Great autumnal sounds. [BANDCAMP/ FACEBOOK]

5) COLD SHOWERS - “I DON’T MIND” (HIGHLANDS 7” - 2010)

I used to know this guy who was claimed all post punk bands were a greaser cut and slide guitar away from being a rockabilly band, and I never really understand that, but something about this jam makes me see his point. Take much right, of course that doesn’t make me dislike this fantastic track any more or less. Just an observation. I particularly love the back and forth male/female vocals. They recently released another track called “BC” that’s really fucking great. They’re one of those bands that I always find myself checking up on, in hopes of hearing some new jam that slipped past. [FACEBOOK]

6) DANIEL LAND & THE MODERN PAINTERS - “SLEEPING WITH THE PAST”

(THE SPACE BETWEEN US - 2012)

Bringing the vibe back around to something more dream pop related - this band is a side project of Daniel Land of the UK shoegaze band, Engineers. It didn’t get a release here in the states yet, but it’s one of my favorite albums of the year, based in no small part upon my intense love for this song. The first half has this lovely rainy day autumnal feel, and then around the 3:15 mark, it shifts into this gorgeous, melodic pop anthem that feels like an Fleetwood Mac track and then everything is magic. [FACEBOOK]

7) HAPPY PARTICLES - “EMPTY CIRCLE” (UNDER SLEEPING WAVES - 2011)

This band has this really sweet, lovely post rock sound, but it also carries this pop sensibility with it that reminds me of early 2000 indie pop bands like American Football and Owen - well anything with Mike Kinsella, i suppose. It just reminds me of my hometown, back in Michigan. It feels so nostalgic and warm, like inside of these songs are pictures of my first love and summer barbecues with friends who are lost to time. It’s strange to feel that way about something that came a decade after the fact, but it just conjures up these really intense emotions in me. Good music should do that, I suppose. [BANDCAMP/ FACEBOOK]

8) GROUPER - “WATER PEOPLE” (WATER PEOPLE 7” - 2011)

Liz Harris of Grouper is always just a step of two away from going full ambient, and when she straddles the line a little bit and builds a melody around her vocals, she’s one of the best there is. This song just feels like the first refreshingly chilly night after a long, hot summer. [SPOTIFY]

9) INDOOR VOICES - “SO SMART” (SO SMART - SINGLE 2012)

This is a brand new track from Indoor Voices, who’s last album Nevers was really great, but whose new EP that’s being worked on, is absolutely stunning. I heard this a week or so back, thanks to an advance from the band, and I fell head over hells in love with it. It sounds like a Broken Social Scene track from before they turned too jammy, mixed with some gorgeous lost track from Cocteau Twins. It’s amazing. Without a doubt one of my favorite songs of the year and I’m so happy for the band. I want this to blow them sky high because it out-dream-pops anything Captured Tracks has released this year and that’s saying something. [BANDCAMP/ WEBSITE]

10) TWO BICYCLES - “A DREAM OF HEAVEN & WATER” (DEMO - 2011)

It’s hard to keep up with the many projects of Teen Daze, but for me, his work on ambient/post rock side project, Two Bicycles is where it’s at. This track was released for free on bandcamp on last year and he promises that he’ll finish it someday, but that’s unnecessary really, because when the demo sounds this fucking gorgeous - you win. It’s haunting and beautiful and feels like a dream of past and future all meeting up - i don’t even know what that means, but it’s just such a special song. I try to introduce a lot of people to this track in particular. It’s just something that I want to open up the windows, turn off the lights, and just live inside of forever. [BANDCAMP/ FACEBOOK]

Thanks for offering me a chance to ramble about music. Cassette Rewind has fast become one of my favorite music blogs out there and I appreciate the opportunity to share some favorites with you and your readers. I felt that it was more interesting to try and provide a consistently good vibe (i’m sorry, i love Autumn) than go out of my way to present super rare gems, so I hope I didn’t bore anyone. Thanks again for the chance & check me out at PerfectMidnightWorld.