Fall brings the year to a close and sets the stage for the following spring’s renewal. In this list of 16 songs, artists explore themes of transformation, celebration, and love.
The first four songs come from male groups: Tommy Emmanuel, the Lumineers, Mon Rovîa, and Beta Radio. Then the ladies take the stage with two tracks each from Ocie Elliott and Andrea von Kampen, followed by epic tracks from Gretta Ray, Brandi Carlile, and Sophia St. Helen. The final songs are performed by collaborative groups.
You can listen to free full tracks through my Spotify handle as DJ Andy Bargerstock. Look for “2026 Fall Playlist—Fringe Toast Music.”
“Lewis & Clark” (2001) by Tommy Emmanuel. Award-winning Australian acoustic guitarist Tommy Emmanuel performs this instrumental track. Inspired by the early American explorers, he engages such techniques as a fast-paced intro fill, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and natural harmonics mimicking a flute or rattlesnake. Tommy is known for curling his left thumb around the fretboard to play some notes instead of simply relying on his fingers to play.
“Gale Song” (2016) by the Lumineers. The great New Jersey indie-folk band was founded by Wesley Schulz (lead vocals and guitar). They are known for their high-energy live performances.
“City on a Hill” (2023) by Mon Rovîa. Born in Monrovia, Liberia, and raised in America, Janjay Lowe (aka Mon Rovîa) developed a signature musical style that he calls Afro-Appalachian. His vocal and compositional talents soar on this gentle song.
“This One’s Going to Hurt” (2024) by Beta Radio. Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, the duo consists of multi-instrumentalists and vocal performers Ben Mabry and Brent Holloman. Critics praise them for their minimalist acoustic arrangements, warm vocal harmonies, and deeply reflective poetic lyricism. These elements combine to produce a serene, bittersweet atmosphere.
“Younger Days” and “Feeling Fine” (2025) by Ocie Elliott. This indie-folk duo from Victoria, BC, Canada, consists of life partners Jon Middleton and Sierra Lundy, who create a soothing sanctuary shaped by attractive two-part harmonies, gentle acoustic guitars, and compositions brimming with emotional warmth.
“Water Flowing Downward” and “That Spell” (2021) by Andrea von Kampen. Andrea weaves a spell of charm with her folk songs that are delivered in an unrushed yet somehow fleeting manner. “Water Flowing Downward” is a call to return home, while the title track, “That Spell,” explores how women hold the keys to the future. These are fluid, free-flowing journeys.
“Vienna” (2022) by Gretta Ray. Australian pop singer Gretta Ray delightfully offers rich, velvety vocals and intimate nuancing on her cover of Billy Joel’s 1977 song. The lyrics offer a soothing reminder to slow down and enjoy the ride through life with patience, instead of racing through to meet rigid goals.
“The Joke” (2017) by Brandi Carlile. Grammy Award-winner Brandi Carlile creates an emotional prayer to encourage those who have been marginalized, overlooked, and unloved. The song benefits from a cinematic string arrangement that complements Brandi’s multi-octave vocal range. It’s one of my all-time favorites.
“Radio Silence” (2025) by Sophia St. Helen. The San Francisco-based singer-songwriter offers smooth vocals in her indie-folk vibe. She writes introspective, ethereal lyrics. On this song, she explores the deep ache of unreciprocated love and emotional abandonment as her partner walks away without explanation.
“Coming Down the Mountain” (2017) by Mipso. This quartet was formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 2013. They combine a traditional string band format with close harmonies and a variety of modern influences. “Coming Down the Mountain” was written and sung by fiddler Libby Rodenbough with a message of seeking peace away from society and letting go of personal burdens. But she comes to the realization that peace cannot be found by isolating oneself and returns to the ordinary world.
“Her Shadow” (2019) by Charles Van Kirk and Sarah Jarosz. In this collaboration between music producer and multi-instrumentalist Van Kirk and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Sarah Jarosz, the track successfully blends ambient, acoustic, and roots textures in the context of emotional retreat, memories, and subtle atmospheric images.
“As Tears Go By” (2023) and “Which Way Now” (2026) by Luluc. Australian husband-and-wife duo Zoe Randell and Steve Hassett split their lives between Melbourne and New York City to enjoy a continuous summer. Their music projects an atmosphere of quiet contemplation through soft finger-picked acoustic guitars and Zoe’s vocals that flow like a calm stream. “As Tears Go By” was penned by the Rolling Stones and originally recorded by Marianne Faithfull in 1964, when it became a big hit. The Stones later released their own version.
“Love You, Love a Riddle” (2012) by Pepper Proud. Pepper was raised in the small Appalachian town of Lewisburg, West Virginia, where she was influenced by the mountain culture. When she learned the guitar and mandolin, she began writing her own style of folk and Americana music. She has released a few albums, starting in 2014. On stage, she radiates a sublime aura of grace and gratitude.
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