The Autumnal debut album, titled The Seed Becomes Exposed, officially arrived on major streaming platforms such as Spotify on September 26, 2025. A significant release for the Colorado music ecosystem, this 10-track collection runs approximately 31 minutes and marks an important milestone for the band. Rooted along the Front Range, Autumnal has quickly garnered attention for its unique sound and community-focused ethos.
To understand the significance of the Autumnal debut album, it is helpful to look at the band’s formation and sonic identity. Autumnal describes its genre as “fuzz folk,” a style that blends storytelling-driven folk songwriting with shoegaze-inspired tones and pedals. This soundscape allows them to move between intimate moments and expansive, fuzzier arrangements.
The group is fronted by childhood best friends Annalee Knies (guitar, vocals) and Geneva Hein (synth, vocals). Justice Murray backs them on bass and Nina Dorighi on drums. With ties to both Fort Collins and Denver’s DIY and indie scenes, the band has appeared in local spotlights, including Colorado Public Radio’s Local 303 and Westword events. Their lyrics often center on twenty-something life, queerness, climate themes, and community, reflecting a desire to make local music spaces more inclusive.
Lyrically and thematically, the seed becomes exposed, exploring growth, rebirth, and the passage of time. These concepts are often framed through natural imagery and seasons, which aligns with the band’s name—songs on the record touch on subjects like grief, car crashes, friendship, and starting over.
The album opens with “Beast,” a track inspired by the death of a beloved pet. It then moves into pieces like “notes on change,” “plum season,” “get up,” “too fast,” “breathing,” “the mouth,” and “humming song.” Throughout the record, the band uses spoken word, harmonies, and dynamic builds to trace emotional and temporal shifts. Reviewers and interviews emphasize that the record uses nature metaphors—specifically trees, seasons, and growth—to discuss personal transformation and the bittersweet nature of change over time.
The creation of the Autumnal debut album mirrors the themes of gradual evolution found in the lyrics. Recording took place over an extended period in multiple locations, creating a patchwork process that captures snapshots across different moments in the band members’ lives.
Some tracks were recorded direct-to-tape with Mark Anderson at Cowboy Cowabunga Recordings in Evergreen. Others were tracked at the University of Colorado Denver studios and the Music District in Fort Collins. This self-released project has been noted in Colorado music coverage as a strong debut, solidifying Autumnal’s place in the region’s musical landscape.
Sign up for exclusive offers, original stories, events, and more.
