Every three months there’s a massive influx of seasonal playlists — stereotypically, the idea is happy, upbeat and hip-hoppy for summer and calm, moody and intense for winter. Spring and fall fit somewhere in between: less brooding than winter and not as dance-y as summer.

What qualifies music to be “seasonal”? There are certainly different environments and circumstances to every season, especially for students who find themselves weighed down by the stresses of midterms and finals for one part of the year and free of any academic responsibility for another.

At this point in the fall, we’re sandwiched between midterms and the biggest party holiday of the semester. Finals aren’t too far off, but we’re still enjoying the last spurts of warm weather. Where summer and winter (and the music that defines them) seem to be absolutes, fall is transitional, and so is this playlist. Appreciate the sunny, warm days, and buckle down for the snowfall.

Contact CU Independent Managing Editor Annie Melton at anne.melton@colorado.edu.edu