Resonance of Twilight: Emo Western Songs Echoing at Summer’s End

I’m YoursJason Mraz

Jason Mraz – I’m Yours (Official Video) [4K Remaster]

The soothing sound of the acoustic guitar seems to seep into a slightly wistful heart at summer’s end.

This song by singer-songwriter Jason Mraz features a light, reggae-tinged groove that naturally loosens you up just by listening.

The lyrics depict a defenseless, boundless love that casts off hesitation and speaks straight from the heart.

That honest emotion curiously matches a scene of getting sentimental by the seaside at dusk.

Included on the 2008 album “We Sing.

We Dance.

We Steal Things.

,” the track set a record by staying on the U.

S.

charts for 76 weeks.

Also beloved as a theme song for a Kirin Beer commercial, it’s a classic you’ll want to play when you’re in the mood to reminisce about summer.

Surfer GirlThe Beach Boys

The Beach Boys – Surfer Girl (Visualizer)

The Beach Boys are known as one of the quintessential surf rock bands, and their music has gained worldwide popularity as the “California Sound.” The classic ballad they released in July 1963 is a number whose sweet, bittersweet melody and beautiful choral work tug at the heart.

The song portrays a boy’s pure first love as he admires a girl riding the waves at sunset.

The mix of longing and heartache overlaps with the sentimental mood at summer’s end.

It’s such a special piece that its composer, Brian Wilson, called it his starting point, and it also serves as the title track of the album Surfer Girl.

It’s a timeless song that’s perfect for reminiscing as you wistfully bid farewell to summer.

Please Please PleaseSabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please

This song is striking for its wistful vocals, like those of a protagonist nursing a broken heart.

The “Please Please Please” refrain in the chorus really pierces the chest, doesn’t it? While it can sound like a plea to a lover, it also feels like a prayer directed at oneself.

This track is a lead single from Sabrina Carpenter’s album Short n’ Sweet, slated for release in August 2024, following the massive hit “Espresso” as another advance single from the album.

The music video features actor Barry Keoghan.

It’s a song I especially recommend to anyone carrying the bittersweet feelings of late-summer love or looking to face forward toward a new season.

Sailor SongGigi Perez

Gigi Perez – Sailor Song (Official Music Video)

Singer-songwriter Gigi Perez, who grew up in Florida, crafts an indie-folk sound whose emotive lyrics and distinctive vocal style resonate with many.

Among her works, there’s one song—released in July 2024—that’s perfect for the start of autumn.

It portrays a deeply devoted love that even calls a partner a “savior,” yearning for a fierce, passionate connection, like a sailor returning from a long voyage to reunite with a lover.

Its acoustic tones gently soothe that faint melancholy unique to summer’s end.

Topping the charts in the UK, this piece is one to savor quietly on long autumn nights as you think of someone dear.

IslandMiley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus – Island (Official Lyric Video)

Let me introduce a deeply affecting, emotionally rich tropical ballad by Miley Cyrus that resonates at summer’s end.

Featured on her March 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation, the song stands out for its gentle sound that skillfully blends pop and reggae elements.

Anchored by the question of whether one has been left stranded on a deserted island or arrived in paradise, it portrays a complex emotional state swaying between loneliness and freedom.

The protagonist’s feelings, poised on the boundary between the end of a romance and a new beginning, are sung with aching tenderness over a mellow melody.

It’s a perfect track for quiet moments spent alone in the twilight of summer.

Endless SummerThe Midnight

The Midnight – Endless Summer (Official Audio)

The end of summer can easily bring you down, right? That’s exactly why you should try lifting your spirits with some upbeat dance music.

One song I especially recommend is Endless Summer.

It’s a track by the duo The Midnight, known for their use of synthesizers.

The lyrics tell a story of growing and maturing through the summer, and their positive message is sure to warm your heart.

Also, the key change in the middle that shifts into a quieter sound is a highlight—it feels almost like the music is gently staying by the side of someone who’s feeling low.

Cruel SummerTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift – Cruel Summer (Official Audio)

This is a smash hit by Taylor Swift, the biggest pop star of our time, that captures the bittersweet feeling at summer’s end.

Set amid an intense summer romance, it portrays complex emotions like secrecy, longing, and inner conflict.

Although it was included on her 2019 album Lover, it surged in radio popularity in 2023 and dominated the charts.

It reached No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieved the rare feat of holding the top spot for an extended period on both Pop Airplay and Adult Pop Airplay.

It’s a perfect pick for anyone who wants to reflect on summer memories while feeling the anticipation of the next season.