Even if you aren't driving anywhere special, this is the perfectly-curated playlist to blast on the road this summer.
1. "I Will Bury You In Time" — Neutral Milk Hotel
Just lead singer Jeff Mangum and his guitar on this one. It is very singsongy and transitions perfectly into the song...
2. "Holland, 1945" — Neutral Milk Hotel
Although the two songs by NMH aren't even on the same album, they sound like they were meant to be played back to back. Mangum's guitar opens this one before the rest of the band joins in and jams out.
3. "Jamie All Over" — Mayday Parade
The first verse alone sounds like it was meant to be blasted on a road trip: "I had a dream last night we / Drove out to see Las Vegas / We lost ourselves in the bright lights / I wish you could have seen us / Begging for change to get home / Or at least San Francisco / Let's put a ten on the high card / And spend a summer on the west coast"
4. "Slip Slide" — Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment
Busta Rhymes plays ring leader on the marching-band strut “Slip Slide,” while a barely noticeable Janelle Monáe offers a few backing cheers. Groovy and perfect to crank up with the windows down.
5. "2000 Miles" — D-WHY
This song is all about going far away from home and doing some adventuring. It makes you feel free in a way that the radio top 40 never will.
6. "Fast Life" — Asher Roth feat. Vic Mensa
The track is a circuitous tale about getting caught up that finds Roth and Mensa dropping life lessons over horn lines and sweet guitar chords. Very chill.
7. "Rollercoaster" (Filous Remix) — Julian le Play
Whether you understand German or not, it’s not a problem, this song is not complicated and just ask you to relax and chill out. Yes it’s in German and so what? German can be a lovely language sometimes, this song is a proof.
8. "Run Right Back" — The Black Keys
Hopefully you aren't driving a van like the one on the cover of their album, but The Black Key's standout song is the perfect vibe for a trip on the highway.
9. "Surrender" — Team Spirit
Driving, arena rock-sized guitar riffs blare beneath a chorus of gang vocals and layers of “yeah yeahs,” celebrating the freedom that comes with youth. Front man Ayad Al-Adhammy’s sings with a sense of reckless abandon, striking the same emotional core as Cheap Trick’s own “Surrender.” It just may be the most uplifting thing you hear all day.
10. "Dose of Dopeness" — Kid Cudi
Everything about this song is summery. Even the album artwork.
11. "The Reunion" — The Kings Dead featuring Sebastian Mikael
“The Reunion” features some production from Mendoza who combines acoustic and electronic elements. The chorus are some smooth lines delivered by Sebastian Mikael. The chemistry of Sonny’s rapping and the smooth vocals over the dope production really shows how they have progressed into a group set out to define their own sound.
12. "Can't Bring Me Down" — Awreeoh
At this point, you've been driving for almost an hour and you need some inspiration. This song, off of the soundtrack for the new movie "Dope" will lift you up.
13. "Caught Inside" — The Bad Things
Even if you're surrounded by traffic on the highway, this song will make you feel like you're lying in the sand on the beach.
14. "Easy Rider" — Action Bronson
On “Easy Rider,” Bronson goes in over a way-out psych-rock organ loop, complete with revving-motorcycle sound effects and a blazing guitar solo. Bronson is very much himself on this thing: “A little machine to make espresso / I heart your bitch still wears Ecko.”
15. "Devil's Whisper" — Raury
“Devil’s Whisper” starts off as a prickly Western folk song and gradually builds itself into a thumping electronic one — it’s a transition that’s as seamless and natural as Raury's voice, which filters between looped gospel chants, urgent rapping, and pointed singer-songwriter enunciation.
