October Playlist

TODAY | TROI IRONS

“Today” is Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Troi Irons’ first single. Her hoarse vocals and appealing falsetto that delivers angst with ease had me hooked from the first bar. Here’s a genuine up and coming artist to look out for. / rock

COME AS YOU ARE | NIRVANA

Going back a couple decades, Nirvana’s album “Nevermind” just hit its 25th anniversary last month. It’s a great excuse to dig out those old alt-rock tracks, including “Come As You Are,” the lesser-known sibling to “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The song was already dusted off earlier this year for the trailer to Marvel/Netflix series “The Defenders.” / alt-rock

CLOSER | covered by WALK OFF THE EARTH

The massive hit “Closer” by The Chainsmokers and Halsey is given an acoustic, low-budget (but well-executed) remake by Canadian group Walk Off the Earth. In quality, this cover more than lives up to the original, with strong vocals and a discreet but creative music video. I also just can’t get over the abundant use of kazoos, or how much member Ryan Marshall looks like Chris Hemsworth in the video. / folk-pop

CANCER | TWENTY ONE PILOTS

British magazine Rock Sound organized a full cover album of My Chemical Romance’s “The Black Parade,” which turns ten this month. Alternative record-breakers Twenty One Pilots were invited to cover “Cancer,” originally a piano-based track reinforced by percussion and poignant vocals. Twenty One Pilots creates a more subdued version of the original with a sparse electronica background and vocals that brings a more resigned tone to the song about death and final goodbyes. / electro-pop

THE GREATEST | SIA, FT. KENDRICK LAMAR

This song first caught my attention when I came across the music video, which pays homage to the Orlando nightclub shooting this summer. The video features striking choreography headed again by Maddie Ziegler, Sia’s longtime collaborator. Set against an upbeat, slightly tropical backdrop, the song’s vocals and lyrics evoke urgency and life. However, the video is what completes the story, as the song fades away to a hollow ringing and dancers collapse to reveal a bullet-riddled backdrop. / pop

ALL I WANT | STONEFOX

This song isn’t exactly recent, but the acoustic piece had been a favorite of mine over the summer. Now that the weather is cooling, I’m pulling it back out along with the flannel as an autumn staple. The ambient, minimalist and slightly folksy tune from the Australian indie trio’s debut EP pairs perfectly with lazy fall skies and knit sweaters. / mellow-pop

715 – CRΣΣKS | BON IVER

Layers and layers of intentional autotune. This is not the Bon Iver we’re familiar with, but for the same reasons, this track is the standout from his new album. Heavy processing aside, the song loses none of its poetic voice and raw emotion, even without raw vocals. / folktronica

BELIEVER | MAJOR LAZER, SHOWTEK

Major Lazer’s newest collaboration following “Cold Water” with Justin Bieber does not disappoint: this song was made for the festival stages. It’s a high energy, workout-worthy track that still retains a trademark loose Jamaican sound for optimal good vibes. / tropical house

TOLD YOU I’D BE WITH THE GUYS | CHERRY GLAZERR

Trio Cherry Glazerr returns with a fresh single after signing with a new label. Their distinctive sound, especially frontman Clementine Creevy’s eccentric and edgy vocals, has a grungy attraction to it, as does the unnerving music video. As an added bonus, Creevy self-proclaims themes of establishing solidarity with fellow women and combatting sexism in her song. / indie rock

UNDEFEATABLE | YOUNG RISING SONS

Here’s a true indie anthem that came only a couple months too late to claim its rightful place on my summer replay. The chorus, “we are the stars and the suns, the unforgettable ones,” is simple but catchy in its triumph. For best effect, crank the volume up and the windows down from your best friend’s shotgun. / pop rock

HONORABLE MENTIONS

HARAMBE | YOUNG THUG

Cultural value. / trap

DRUM | MØ

“Drum” is a persistently upbeat track, and a trace of co-writer Charli XCX’s occasional bubblegum pop is detectable in the highly repetitive but relaxed chorus. It manages to be pretty catchy: a satisfactory but more understated, independent follow-up to last year’s global phenomenon “Lean On” and recent collaborative hit “Cold Water.” / electropop

LIFTED | CL

Korean singer/rapper’s American debut is a somewhat anticlimactic (read: too cautious) piece that differs from the aggressive tracks she’s comfortable with in her native language. However, it did reach moderate success and broadened her audience. I look forward to what the upcoming full EP could offer. / hip-hop