I am at the rec center, trying to type a small article out on my phone while keeping speed on the elliptical. Let me tell you, it is definitely a challenge.

The rec, however, is another place of escape for me, just like concerts are; a place I can spend hours at if I had the time. Every time I come here, I either watch a show on Netflix – usually Grey’s Anatomy (which I would not recommend if you are an emotional person) or New Girl, or I play my “mixed up” Spotify playlist and contemplate life.

Today was one of those days.

While running my three miles on the elliptical, I shuffled through my “mixed up” playlist on Spotify. This playlist is basically my go-to playlist – mixed with slow songs, pump up songs, anything and everything. Despite my hundreds of songs on the playlist, the past two weeks, I have been constantly playing a certain handful of songs.

Music is such a beautiful thing to me. It is created by such creative and talented artists, some artists that are not yet mainstream or well-known, others that are constantly on the charts. No matter where the artists are in their careers, they all have one thing in common: they tell a story, send a message, or create a song that quickly creates a memory with their words and music. Music creates a connection between people and can touch peoples’ hearts and I think that is incredibly beautiful. I cannot even explain how much music means to me.

So, I decided to create a new playlist: Hello, Fall – a compilation of songs that take me back to this time of the year, this point in my life. Some songs are old, some are incredibly new, but in some way, they have a special meaning to me at this point. My playlists constantly grow as the time goes on. This one is already pretty packed so, here are my top seven songs from my new playlist, Hello, Fall.

1. "Gravity" – Alex & Sierra

Alex & Sierra are by far one of my favorite artists. They are incredibly down-to-earth and they are ridiculously talented. They are an independent duo, so a lot of people do not necessarily know about them; however, you may remember them from The X Factor a couple of years ago!

This song in general gives me goose bumps all over my body and I absolutely love their rendition of the song.

Lastly, my random sidebar of this article, if you have not yet witnessed Sierra hit a high note live, I highly recommend that you do. I always get chills – even with the studio version (check out 2:50 in this song!).

2. "Run and Hide" – Sabrina Carpenter

I saw Sabrina perform a couple of years ago at a really small festival type event that I attended. I immediately fell in love with her unique and soulful voice.

One of the things I really love about Sabrina is that she co-wrote or wrote almost all of the songs on her album, something not a lot of popular artists in this generation do.

Her music is perfect for studying, relaxing, or for me, writing. It is soulful and slow, but upbeat enough that it will keep you motivated and awake. This song is off of her sophomore album, EVOLution, which I am incredibly excited for!

3. "That’s My Girl" – Fifth Harmony

Would it really be one of my playlists if I didn’t include at least one song from some of my favorite girls?

I absolutely love the lyrics to this song; it is incredibly empowering, especially if you get to experience singing it with thousands of other people in a venue.

Whether I am working out, or am in the middle of a stressful week, this song is always one of my go-tos.

4. "Deception" - Christina Grimmie

I just recently found this song and no matter the situation, I can listen to this song on repeat. After my first listen to it, it was immediately placed into my “musical gold” playlist – one which I am incredibly specific about.

Everything about this song is beautiful – the lyrics, piano, musicality – everything. It leaves me at a loss for words.

Christina will be so, so missed; she was taken way too soon.

5. "I’m Ready" – Niykee Heaton

Niykee, to me, is a soulful RNB artist. I found out about her through one of my best friends about a year ago. Since then, her songs always manage to end up on multiple of my Spotify playlists.

I absolutely love the chorus of this song, especially the lyric “my ambition is my weaponry.” After listening to this song on repeat for a couple days, I kind of have made this song one of my anthems.

6. "Girls @ (feat. Chance the Rapper)" – Joey Purp

This song was introduced to me by one of my best friends as well, and I instantly loved it. It reminds me of this year of college thus far, and it is definitely a song that all of my friends will jam to at a party.

Even though it lyrically is not something wonderful, it reminds me of a specific time period, a specific memory and to me that makes it special.

7. "Lights On" – Shawn Mendes

If I am being honest, half of my Hello, Fall playlist is Shawn Mendes. However, this is by far my favorite song on his album. His music fits in any time of day, but my favorite time to listen to his music is driving up to my new house with the windows down.

His music is mainly acoustic and lyrically, it is absolutely beautiful. (Even my dad likes him – he says this is what music should sound like!).

Music is what feelings sound like, and nothing makes me happier.