As we are working our way through October, many new releases have guided us through the start of autumn, and here are some of my favourites:

• A-frame – Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler

On their way to release their second album together, this unstoppable duo returns. Throughout the start of the record, the up-tempo drums kick in which is very reminiscent of the folk genre, which has deep associations with autumn. When the chorus starts, the build hits that climax, with the instrumental feeling almost freeing to the listener. Reminding me of songs similar to Noah Kahan’s, ‘View Between Villages’. Jeremy and Chelsea’s voices blend seamlessly together but also stand out in a powerful tone in the chorus. A duet that is serving as two POVs to the story within the song, that has a main overall love plot, which is heart-warming in nature. Such scenic lyrics as ‘And dancing real slow, The middle of nowhere, Still you make it feel like home’, provide that sense of comfort from genuine love. I also love the visuals of these artists just simply running through a field, keeping to that feeling of being free with someone. Definitely a track on repeat this autumn and a perfect start to the upcoming album, ‘Brent iii’.

• Panic – Thomas Headon

A start of a new era for this artist, as they return with a new single ,’Panic’. Already played on BBC R1’s ‘Future Pop’, it is one to watch. To start the track, there is almost a peaceful instrumental, that is contrasted once the beat comes in – becoming faster in production throughout. I find the production building quickly throughout has connotations of a racing heartbeat, which pairs well with the song. Accompanied with honest lyricism, the singer writes about the overwhelming sense of panic and stress he has faced recently, and how he realises it needed to change. I also find his voice blends with the production well. This is portrayed well through Thomas’ authentic and raw lyricism, starting the track with, ‘I spend too much time on my phone, When I hate the world, I don’t leave my home’. Later also writing, ‘And I feel alone like all of the time’. Instantly, holding himself to how he is coping and an overbearing feeling that a lot of people can relate heavily too. One of my favourite elements in the track is the chorus, ‘And I can’t make it feel any better, No, I can’t make it make any sense, And I don’t know how I can control it, Without getting into my head…’ Portraying that knowledge that he can’t explain fully how he is feeling, as he doesn’t understand it so he is just going to let it get to him – which is a feeling a lot of listeners will connect with. One that will probably be in your ‘on repeat’ playlist.

• Pretty Boys – Caroline Romano

Starting with the lyrics, ‘Happy Halloween’, instantly fit for this time of year and also provide connotations of this artist going through a level of heartbreak as Halloween can metaphorically be often associated with that, sort of as a loss. At the start of the track, there is a slower build in instrumental, that then kicks in with the energetic backing in the chorus, comparing to that build of heartbreak, and how the intensity comes in different waves. It also slots into that alt-pop genre that Caroline does so well. The little pause while the singer says ‘Christ’, before that production fully kicks in, works extremely well within the track, and is something that stood out to me. Throughout the track, Caroline has a slight anger in her tone to match the high level of production, but with an incredible vocal range. This matches the emotion of the time too, more rooted in anger, but also gaining her power back. Her lyricism is rooted in honesty too, almost like she is telling a story to her friend. I can definitely see this be an incredible track to perform live. A powerful alt-pop anthem for this autumn.

• Wake Up (I love you) – Josie Oliver

After not having released music in almost a year, Josie Oliver makes a huge comeback with this song. Mixing the sweetness of falling in love with someone but the overwhelming intensity of heartbreak. This is shown through the lyrics, ‘When I’m in my room and there’s no sign of you, I don’t know what to do, can you just say it too? But only if you really mean it’. Throughout the track, Josie repeats the phrase ‘wake up’ and it is clear, in my interpretation, she wants to say I love you but is fearful of that commitment, incase that person doesn’t mean it, and heartbreak comes later down the line. In the verses, it follows like a story, which is a credit to the lyricism, but loops back with the same lyric at the start and at the end ‘Wake up now, I’ve got something to say’. There is an acoustic level of production at the beginning, that builds to an eruptive, pop chorus. My favourite element is the repeated lyrics of, ‘I’ll be the one’, at the end of the track. The repetition in music, is a clear factor of an artist putting emphasis on a certain phrase, evident in this track. Definitely an artist on the rise.