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"Kukhni," "Tretye Sentyabrya," and "Osen"

"Kukhni," "Tretye Sentyabrya," and "Osen" (Autumn) by the band Kino have been named the most autumnal tracks.

For Autumn Blues Day, the music service Zvuk found out how Russians cope with the seasonal melancholy—what entertainment they choose on rainy days and what music they listen to to lift their spirits.

Russians cite spending time with loved ones as their main way to avoid the blues, chosen by a quarter of respondents. One in five prefers to chase away melancholy with walks (20%) or immersion in routine activities like work or study (18%). Some recommend escaping melancholy by watching movies or reading (15%), as well as sports and creativity (10% each). Another 4% take a more radical approach—going on vacation, away from the approaching cold and damp weather.

19% of Russians choose music as an "antidepressant." However, people expect different effects from their favorite tracks. One in three respondents uses music to create a cozy atmosphere at home or escape the silence by playing background music. Some find their favorite tracks help them relax and feel calm (23%), while others, on the contrary, find them energizing (16%). Still others enjoy the autumn melancholy and choose music that maintains a slightly sad mood (23%).

Russians named rock (including Russian rock) as the most autumnal genre, preferred by 30% of respondents. Pop (26%) and rap (24%) followed closely behind. The least popular genres were jazz and neoclassical music (6% each), chanson (5%), and blues (4%).

15% admit that in autumn they most often listen to the sounds of nature. A third of Russians associate the season with the sound of rain (31%). Respondents also described the splashing of puddles and the crunch of leaves underfoot as equally "autumnal" (23% each). One in five people associate autumn with the crackling of fires (20%) and the howling of the wind (19%). Another 13% associate it with the rustling of book pages.

Russians also have favorite autumn tracks. Those surveyed named songs like "Kukhni" by Bond s Knopokno (21%), "Tretye Sentyabrya" by Mikhail Shufutinsky (14%), "Osen" by Kino (13%), "November Rain" by Guns N' Roses (8%), and "Sentyabr" by Stigmata (7%) as ideal for creating a melancholic vibe. To lift their spirits, Russians listen to "Osen" by Licey (19%), Tatyana Bulanova (17%), and Nadezhda Kadysheva (12%).

Interestingly, more than half of respondents (56%) prefer to listen to special seasonal playlists in autumn or would like to create them. So, Zvuk asked respondents to share what they would call their autumn playlist. It turned out that 28% would choose a "meme" name: "Hoa Hoa Hoa" (associated with the autumn trend on TikTok and the Twilight saga) or "September 3rd." Another 28% would give their playlist a sad title: "The Season of Autumn Depression Has Opened," "Playlist for Sadness," "Boring," or "Cry-Cry." And 24% wanted a simple and understandable name: "Autumn Vibe" or "Pumpkin Latte Season."

The study was conducted by the music service Zvuk in September 2025 using an online survey among 1,316 Russians over 18 years of age in cities with a population of over one million. Respondents could select multiple answer options.