There are some people who claim that autumn doesn’t start until
September 22. These are the same people who insist that winter doesn't
start until December 21, only two days before Christmas. These people
are wrong and cannot be trusted. Fall, in my opinion, starts in September
after the last heat wave of August finally breaks. It starts when you-pull
out your light sweaters and jackets from their dusty closet exile. Fall is;
essentially, a mood—and it just so happens to be one of my favourite
moods, one that I like to wrap myself up in like a cozy plaid flannel.

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With all this in mind, here are some of my favourite pieces of
media for the season. Grab your pumpkin spice latte, light those
cinnamon apple candles, and cozy up with these games, shows,
and albums to fully embrace this most wonderful time of year.

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Over the Garden Wall (2014)

This animated TV series should be at the top of anybody’s list for amazing
autumn media and is still my go-to if I really want to sink into the fall mood.
Half-brothers Wirt (Elijah Wood) and Greg (Collin Dean) find themselves
lost in a mysterious forest and encounter many strange adventures with
stranger characters on their journey home. There are only 10 episodes in the
series and at 11 minutes each, it’s about the equivalent time commitment

of a feature-length film. Wirtand Greg’s adventure seems to span the
breadth of fall experiences, from early September environments to the first
bite of winter. I'll personally be saving this series for a little further into

the season, but if you're looking for something quintessentially autumn,

I can't recommend any other piece of media higher than this one.

Life is Strange (2015)

i If were looking at media that captures the back-to-school college feeling
r in a unique way, the game Life is Strange fills that niche perfectly (though
DS the story does take place in October). The plot follows 18-year-old Max
o” Caulfield, a photography student at a prestigious art school who discovers
she has the ability to rewind time after witnessing a murder. The victim

of the killing that Max prevents with her newfound powers turns out to

be her childhood. best friend, Chloe Price, whom she reconnects with to

re solve the many mysteries of Arcadia Bay—such as the disappearance of
Chloe’s friend Rachel Amber, the troubles of fellow student Kate Marsh, and

Max's visions of a massive storm destroying the town. It’s a perfect balance

of private school mystery, artsy indie aesthetics, and spooky atmosphere

best played on golden September afternoons and rainy October nights.

Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds (1978)

| In terms6f deeply obscure personal favourites, this concept album is certainly
> up there. Mingling readings from H.G. Wells’ 1897 novel The War of the Worlds
with ’7os prog rock, disco, and a full string orchestra, the album tells the
story of the Earth’s invasion by hostile Martian forces. Richard Burton plays
the primary protagonist and reader, the Journalist, in the original album—
though a recent remaster features none other than Liam Neeson in the role.
The music is absolutely amazing; the energizing string overture of “The Eve
of the War” sets the dramatic tone perfectly, though my personal favourite
tracks are “Forever Autumn” and “Thunder Child”. Both the original album
and the 2012 remaster are available for listening on Spotify. It’s great for long
road trips, the fall commute, or a very strange listening party with friends.