As a Midwesterner, I have always been ambivalent about fall. On one hand, I genuinely like cozy sweaters and the changing leaves, and I am obsessed with Halloween. On the other, fall is a bitter reminder that winter is coming, which is often long and dismal in Chicago.

The transition from summer to autumn is a weird time of year musically as well. I prefer upbeat tracks over slow, melancholy ballads. There's something to be said for songs that manage to convey sadness and darkness that are still danceable. This can make it somewhat challenging to set the appropriate mood for fall. Here are the songs I will be listening to for the next few weeks:

1. "Laid Low" by The Naked and Famous

It's been a little while since we've heard from The Naked and Famous, and the band's latest releases do not disappoint. After band members Thom Powers and Alisa Xayalith ended their personal relationship, the band produced some truly powerful music. This song has soaring synths coupled with Xayalith's surreal vocals and shows amazing things can come from heartbreak and loss.

2. "Until You Were Gone ft Emily Warren" by The Chainsmokers and Tritonal

This poppy anthem relies on a background of heavy beats, which could make it a perfect fit for any time of year. However, the moody lyrics about a breakup make it a good fit for the changing seasons. (Can you tell I used to be an emo kid?)

3. "Don't Stop Making It Happen" by Grouplove

It's difficult to nail Grouplove down to a single genre, and that's one of the reasons I've always loved them so much. If you need a song to get you charged up as we drift into autumn, look no further. This catchy, upbeat jam will have you rocking out.