For all our basic readers out there, pumpkin spice latte season is upon us! It’s time to cozy up in one of the many coffee shops in Berkeley, order your favorite warm drink (or iced, if you’re strong) and get to studying for those midterms. No café session is complete without a killer coffee shop playlist that doesn’t distract you from studying. So, rather than use one of the various curated Spotify playlists, we decided to make one of our own for you all to enjoy.

“Literature Lovers” — Jose Vanders

With this sweet and nostalgic song, you’ll be taken back to the days when you actually read for fun. Crazy, right? This song reminds you of getting lost in another world, late nights with your reading light and joyous trips to a library that wasn’t Moffitt. 

“(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano” — Sampha

Like the title implies, the piano in this song is incredible. The vocals are emotional and calming, making it the perfect song to listen to while chilling in a café on a rainy day.

“Bluebelle mountain” — Marit Larsen

If you’re into folksy music, this is a good one for you. You’ll be wishing you were wandering through a misty mountain on a crisp fall day, but the coffee shop will have to do for now.

“Cold Coffee” — Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran certainly isn’t underrated, but this song is. The lyrics are cute, and the feel is simple in the classic Ed Sheeran fashion we all know and love.

“Atlas Hands” — Benjamin Francis Leftwich

Fall is arguably the most whimsical season, and this song captures that feeling completely. It’s melancholy and wistful, which are two feelings we all understand too well. 

“Köln” — Corey Kilgannon

You’ll be dying to get lost in the heart of Cologne (Köln) after hearing this song. The violins give it a romantic air, and the imaginative lyrics makes us wish we could wander around a European city, too.

“windows” — Lewis Watson

Have you been missing anyone lately? If so, this song might hit home. It’s honest and sad, but Watson’s smooth voice will make you feel a little less upset about whatever’s going on in your life.

“Coffee” — beabadoobee

In case you forgot the theme of this playlist, here’s a nice song about coffee to remind you why you clicked on this article in the first place. Just like coffee, this chill indie song will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

“In a Week” — Hozier feat. Karen Cowley

Hozier was born in a tree, lives with woodland creatures and is essentially Father Nature, so we really had no choice but to put him on this playlist. This duet with Karen Cowley is magical and will literally make the leaves start falling outside if you listen to it. We can neither confirm nor deny if this is true, but you should listen to this song anyway.

We promise this playlist will warm your soul like a hot apple cider and almost persuade you that the California tree leaves are changing colors. Prepare yourselves for lots of guitar, folk-pop and somber beats.