Spooky season has still officially started. Whether you are looking to chill in your layers as you appreciate the spectrum of fall colors displayed on the leaves, or you need to get pumped to sprint through a haunted corn maze, there’s a song for you.
When most people think of Halloween or ”fall” music, they probably think there’s nothing beyond “Thriller” and the Ghostbusters theme. In truth, there is a world of tunes beyond spooky scary skeletons, ranging across genres and decades — you just have to look to unexpected places. These seven albums may not be from especially recent years, but fall time energy transcends release years. Many of these albums are not conventionally considered Halloween albums, but they perfectly fit the mood of the season. Whatever your cup of musical tea is, there is a song that will make it taste like fall. Read on to find a list of 7 great spooky albums, arranged from least to most intense music and lyrics.
Somethin’ Else (Rudy Van Gelder Edition) – Cannonball Adderly
If you like instrumental music or jazz, this album is for you. Cannonball Adderley was a famous alto saxophonist who worked with jazz greats like Miles Davis. The songs move around enough to keep your attention, and so it’s not boring — yet still low-key enough to play at a gathering without drawing all the attention. A very proficient rhythm section drives the album as saxophone, trumpet and piano melodies rise above. Like most good jazz it has the musical complexity for the music theory aficionados to fawn over and the slick sax licks for the more casual listeners. It’s also full of autumnal, relaxing energy; the song “Autumn Leaves” in particular is a song that, true to the name, captures the energy of the changing of the seasons very well.
Baduizm – Erykah Badu
R&B influenced by ‘70s soul and ‘80s hip hop is a recipe for success, and Baduizm doesn’t disappoint. Heavily textured bass and an outstanding vocal performance make this album the auditory equivalent of a warm bath. The sound is given layers of complexity and interest by unique production and surprising melodies; keeping you hooked. Romantic lyrics keep it on brand with autumn music, but there’s a refreshing undercurrent of confidence. It’s a great relaxing album that isn’t excessively gloomy.
Exile in Guyville – Liz Phair
This 1993 indie rock album is for you if you are a fan of early Taylor Swift, late Oliva Rodrigo, the Breeders, or dissing the patriarchy. At first listen, its sound is simple yet effective, mostly Phair’s voice and her guitar playing with some simple percussion. However, unique melodies and song structures make the songs compelling and catchy. It is right on the edge of chill and higher energy. Phair’s use of a Fender Mustang guitar — well known for being loved by Kurt Cobain — combined with her very talented playing makes the guitar parts very interesting to listen to and gives them an expressive and powerful tone. The backing percussion is minimalist but in a way that works with the rest of the sound. These musical details are very important to the album, but its real strength is in its lyrics; which are poetic, while still perfectly expressing frustration, sadness and joy without a hint of melodrama. They are the kind of lyrics you can understand perfectly on the first listen and then somehow still continue to unravel the meaning of on the hundredth listen.
Superunknown – Soundgarden
If you are a rock fan who doesn’t have much music to chill out with or a chill music fan who wants to rock out, try Superunknown. The tempo is slower and the lyrics are melancholy like your standard fall soft pop album, but the tone is gritty, dark and powerful. There is a weight behind the autumn despair lyrics making the Pacific Northwest classic perfect for Halloween. When your usual fall acoustic folk just isn’t doing the job and you need something stronger, or your usual face melting metal is a bit much and you need something a little more low key, Superunknown is a great option.
Dig Me Out – Sleater Kinney
Sleater-Kinney, another Pacific Northwest band, were a crucial part of the riot grrrl movement of the 90s. This album established them as respected songwriters and musicians. It is a high energy, hard rocking punk album, better suited to getting you pumped up than to relax you. It still is giving fall — just a high energy punk fall. There are undercurrents of fall melancholy, but equal measures of anger. Don’t think that because it’s punk the songs aren’t sophisticated; Sleater-Kinney is a band of talented musicians who know what they’re doing, and the songs are complex and well produced while maintaining their raw energy. If you like indie or folk this is a change of pace that will still feel familiar.
Six Feet Deep – Gravediggaz
If you like the Wu Tang Clan, N.W.A, or hardcore hip hop in general, you should check out Six Feet Deep. This is also a great album for you if your main genre is metal or hard rock. Gravediggaz 1994 debut wasn’t a huge hit, but it is a pioneering horrorcore album and is definitely worth a listen. The group includes two renowned producers: RZA of Wu Tang Clan and Prince Paul, best known for producing for De La Soul. These two sample heavy production styles work together beautifully to create menacing beats somewhere between sampladelic and bone crushing that perfectly underscore gory, malicious, and well delivered rhymes. If you know the old school East Coast hardcore sound this will feel familiar, but still fresh. If you are more familiar with recent hip hop, prepare to hear something very different.
The Arockalypse – Lordi
While many metal albums have lyrics and music that could be considered pretty Halloweeny, Lordi takes this to a new level. Multi-platinum in their home country of Finland and relatively unknown in America, Lodi’s monster themed hard rock is perfect for any metalheads who want to feel Halloweeny. Prepare for intense, sometimes gruesome lyrics paired with hard rocking, and modern sounding riffs. The use of an electric keyboard adds more levels and complexity to Lodi’s sound. By some of their hard rock wordplay or their ‘80s monster movie masks, they may come off as a gimmick band, but their full investment in the horror aesthetic is infectious and will make you take them seriously.
