Last Updated: 16 February 2026
Key Takeaways
- The Vibe: A shift from late summer energy to soothing, wintery sounds perfect for darker evenings.
- The Artists: Featuring indie heavyweights like Catfish and the Bottlemen alongside the soulful vocals of Hozier and Matt Corby.
- The Inspiration: A collaborative mix influenced by new band discoveries and the excitement of the upcoming festive season.
“October Playlist”—these two words signal the official start of “cosy season” for me. It is another month and another fresh start for us all.
I really love the feeling of when you step into October. It is finally the time of the month when you can wrap up warm without feeling guilty. It is also the beginning of the best run of festivities. We have Halloween and Bonfire Night right around the corner, followed quickly by Christmas and New Year. So yeah, I believe we can officially say it is Autumn-Winter.
While my September Playlist was all about that confusing transition period, this October Playlist fully embraces the chill.
September was a bit of a quiet one for me, to be honest. I didn’t get up to much apart from arranging some new content for the website and seeing my girlfriend. However, quiet months are often the best for music discovery.
Over the past few weeks, I have been listening to a hell of a lot of music. My girlfriend has also been showing me some new bands, which always helps. Our taste is pretty much the same, although it clashes in some areas. I actually like that though. It is different compared to having exactly the same tastes as one another throughout, and it challenges me to listen to tracks I might have skipped otherwise.
The Vibe: Wintery and Soothing
This October Playlist is inspired by all things wintery and soothing.
When the clocks go back and the evenings get dark, I don’t always want high-tempo dance tracks. I want something that sounds like a warm fire feels. You can find a wide range of artists in here, from the raw indie energy of Catfish and the Bottlemen to the haunting vocals of Matt Corby.
There is also a touch of electronic soul in there with Gold Panda and Tourist, which keeps the energy flowing without breaking the relaxed atmosphere.
I hope you enjoy the tracks, and be sure to stay tuned for more features coming soon.
The Track List
Here is the selection that has been soundtracking my October.
- With or Without You – Redinho
- Business – Catfish and the Bottlemen
- Deckchairs On The Moon – Bipolar Sunshine
- Reprise (T Hemingway Remix) – Gold Panda
- Falling In Love – Crystal Bats
- I Can’t Keep Up (Ft. Will Heard) – Tourist
- Wide Awake – Josh Record
- From Eden – Hozier
- Brother – Matt Corby
- Seen It All – Jake Bugg
Why These Tracks?
The Indie Anthems
Catfish and the Bottlemen and Jake Bugg bring that classic British indie sound to the list. Business is one of those tracks that makes you want to grab a guitar (even if you can’t play one), while Seen It All captures that storytelling vibe that is perfect for a rainy afternoon.
The Soulful Slow-Downs
If you haven’t listened to Matt Corby yet, you are missing out. Brother is an absolute vocal powerhouse of a track. It pairs perfectly with Hozier’s From Eden. These songs are the anchors of this October Playlist. They are the ones you put on when you are driving home in the rain or just relaxing on a Sunday morning.
The Electronic Edge
To stop things getting too sleepy, I added Redinho and Bipolar Sunshine. They bring a bit of groove to the month. It proves that an October Playlist doesn’t just have to be acoustic guitars; it can have a bit of bounce too.
FAQ: Creating the Perfect October Playlist
What makes a good October Playlist? For me, October is about texture. You want songs that feel “warm”. Acoustic instruments, deep vocals, and reverb-heavy electronic tracks work best. It is the sonic equivalent of putting on a thick wool jumper.
Who are the best artists for Autumn listening? You can’t go wrong with artists like Ben Howard, Hozier, Matt Corby, and Bon Iver. They practically own the season. However, mixing in some indie rock like Catfish and the Bottlemen keeps the energy up so you don’t hibernate too early!
Where can I listen to this playlist? You can find these tracks on my Spotify profile. I update my lists regularly, so make sure you follow “Alfie B-Smith” to see what I am listening to every month.
