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Monthly Favs

September 2026

September felt like a transitional month. Like I was tying up loose ends as summer came to a close. A lot of my energy went into finishing Sarahtonin Sounds and finally putting it out into the world, which brought up a lot of my usual anxieties. I've struggled with imposter syndrome and the fear of being perceived for a long time, and making something this personal really tested both. I kept having to remind myself that the fear of being perceived isn't something I want holding me back anymore. And also... what's the big deal if people perceive me? Maybe I *should* be noticed. I made something I'm proud of. Of course I want people to see it. I'm sure I'll have to give myself that pep talk again, but I'm glad I didn't let it stop me this time. Besides that... there's been a little autumnal edging here, but not nearly enough considering we are officially in FALL and it is literally 90 degrees out as I'm writing this. We did get a Harvest Moon, so I guess that's autumnal. More importantly, football is back, which I have been waiting for since last February. My fantasy team is called "To Do List," in case anyone was wondering... AND I got some hotties on there. They pass the pigskin good too. So I think that's September. A little weird, a little uncomfortable, very transitional. Some things shifted, other things finally started, and somewhere in between I made something I'd been scared to make and put it out into the world. Maybe that's enough for one month.

  1. Favorite song

    album cover for Witch Fever

    Reincarnate

    Witch Fever

    This is one of those songs that had me in awe on first listen. The second the breakdown hits, something in me shifts each and every single time.

  2. Favorite album

    tinashe album cover

    Popstar

    Tinashe

    I accidentally wrote a mini review of this album, saw how long it was, and decided nobody needed all that here. So instead: *Popstar* is fun, surprisingly relatable for someone who is very much not a popstar, and I think there's something on here for almost everyone. The production on these tracks is kinda intoxicating, but you get a range of sounds throughout the album, and that is music to my ears! Do listen to it, front to back, and in order!

  3. Favorite needle drop

    season 2 adults promo

    People

    AJJ

    Heard in: ADULTS

    First let me just say... I LOVE AJJ. They're one of the few bands I've seen live multiple times in my life. So when Season 1 of *Adults* closed out with "Brave as a Noun," I practically screamed at the first guitar note, shocked to hear one of my favorite songs ever, and reflexively started singing before I even had time to process it. Then Season 2 ended with "People" by AJJ, and I was even more excited that they kept it consistent. You can say I was very geeked and very happy.

The September Playlist

  • image of the harvest moon
    HARVEST MOON! but from my bed

Back to Journal

Monthly Favs

September 2026

September felt like a transitional month. Like I was tying up loose ends as summer came to a close. A lot of my energy went into finishing Sarahtonin Sounds and finally putting it out into the world, which brought up a lot of my usual anxieties. I've struggled with imposter syndrome and the fear of being perceived for a long time, and making something this personal really tested both. I kept having to remind myself that the fear of being perceived isn't something I want holding me back anymore. And also... what's the big deal if people perceive me? Maybe I *should* be noticed. I made something I'm proud of. Of course I want people to see it. I'm sure I'll have to give myself that pep talk again, but I'm glad I didn't let it stop me this time. Besides that... there's been a little autumnal edging here, but not nearly enough considering we are officially in FALL and it is literally 90 degrees out as I'm writing this. We did get a Harvest Moon, so I guess that's autumnal. More importantly, football is back, which I have been waiting for since last February. My fantasy team is called "To Do List," in case anyone was wondering... AND I got some hotties on there. They pass the pigskin good too. So I think that's September. A little weird, a little uncomfortable, very transitional. Some things shifted, other things finally started, and somewhere in between I made something I'd been scared to make and put it out into the world. Maybe that's enough for one month.

  1. Favorite song

    album cover for Witch Fever

    Reincarnate

    Witch Fever

    This is one of those songs that had me in awe on first listen. The second the breakdown hits, something in me shifts each and every single time.

  2. Favorite album

    tinashe album cover

    Popstar

    Tinashe

    I accidentally wrote a mini review of this album, saw how long it was, and decided nobody needed all that here. So instead: *Popstar* is fun, surprisingly relatable for someone who is very much not a popstar, and I think there's something on here for almost everyone. The production on these tracks is kinda intoxicating, but you get a range of sounds throughout the album, and that is music to my ears! Do listen to it, front to back, and in order!

  3. Favorite needle drop

    season 2 adults promo

    People

    AJJ

    Heard in: ADULTS

    First let me just say... I LOVE AJJ. They're one of the few bands I've seen live multiple times in my life. So when Season 1 of *Adults* closed out with "Brave as a Noun," I practically screamed at the first guitar note, shocked to hear one of my favorite songs ever, and reflexively started singing before I even had time to process it. Then Season 2 ended with "People" by AJJ, and I was even more excited that they kept it consistent. You can say I was very geeked and very happy.

The September Playlist

  • image of the harvest moon
    HARVEST MOON! but from my bed