Last Updated: 16 February 2026
Key Takeaways
- The Vibe: A mix of Indie, Rock, and “Melodic Electronic” perfect for the transition from Summer to Autumn.
- The Artists: Featuring modern classics from The 1975, George Ezra, The Weeknd, and Sam Smith.
- The Mood: Ideal for long commutes, train journeys, and those confusing days when the weather can’t make up its mind.
‘September Playlist’—those two words are constantly on my mind as we head towards the end of the month. As always, I have been finding it incredibly hard to decide whether Britain is stepping into Winter or clinging on to Summer.
The weather has been trying its hardest to make its forever confusing mind up. One minute it is sunny; the next it is grey. But nevertheless, we have got to crack on. And the best way to do that is with the right soundtrack.
This September Playlist is the first introduction to my monthly music features. It contains a broad range of music which I have been listening to on long journeys, whilst travelling to see friends, or just whilst faffing around on social media.
The Selection Process
Creating a playlist isn’t just about throwing random songs together; it is about capturing a specific mood. For September, that mood is “Golden Hour”.
If you are the sort of person that likes finding new bands, producers, or just revisiting some absolute indie gems, then take a browse through this September Playlist. You will probably gather, if you take your time to listen, that I listen to pretty much EVERYTHING. I don’t believe in guilty pleasures, if it sounds good, it goes on the list.
However, for this transition into Autumn, I have been listening to a lot of Rock, Indie, Jazz and what I like to call “Melodic Electronic Music”.
What is “Melodic Electronic”?
It is probably a cringe name for something I can’t quite describe the genre for, but expect this term to be plastered around soon by your local hipster.
Essentially, it is electronic music that retains a human soul. Think of tracks that have the beat of a club anthem but the lyrics and melody of a ballad. Artists like Disclosure and The Weeknd are masters of this. They create soundscapes that are perfect for walking through the city with headphones on, watching the leaves start to turn brown, and feeling like you are the main character in an indie movie.
I hope you enjoy the selection of tracks I added to this playlist. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
The Track List
Here are the songs that are defining this month for me. It is a mix of upbeat indie anthems and moodier electronic tracks for those darker evenings.
- Blame It on Me – George Ezra
- Sleepyhead – Passion Pit
- Touch – Troye Sivan
- Often – The Weeknd
- Barcelona – George Ezra
- Thread (The One AM Radio Remix) – Now, Now
- Breathe (Radio Mix) – Blu Cantrell
- Latch (Acoustic) – Sam Smith
- End of the Affair – Ben Howard
- Leave Your Love – Sam Smith
- I’m Not The Only One – Sam Smith
- You & Me (Flume Remix) – Disclosure & Eliza Doolittle
- See Me Now – The Kooks
- Money Trees – Kendrick Lamar & Jay Rock
- My Number – Foals
- Angels – The XX
- Heartbeats – José González
- Fever To The Form – Nick Mulvey
- Cucurucu – Nick Mulvey
- Chocolate – The 1975
- DNA – Darwin Deez
- Bridge Burn – Little Comets
- Andreas – Seahaven
FAQ: Curating the Perfect September Playlist
How do you find new music for your playlists? I spend a lot of time on Spotify “Discover Weekly”, browsing music blogs, and checking out what people are sharing on Threads. I also love shazam-ing tracks when I am out and about in coffee shops or bars. There is nothing better than discovering a track in the wild.
What is the best genre for a September Playlist? September is a transitional month. I find that Indie Folk (like Ben Howard or Nick Mulvey) works perfectly because it matches the golden, autumnal light. I also like to mix in some “Melodic Electronic” (like Disclosure) to keep the energy up as the days get shorter. It strikes that balance between nostalgia for summer and excitement for cosy winter nights.
Do you have a Spotify link for this playlist? Yes! You can follow my profile on Spotify to see this September Playlist and all my other monthly rotations. Just search for “Alfie B-Smith” to find my public lists. I update them regularly, so you will always have fresh tunes for your commute.
