Every summer is all about relaxing, having a good time and making the best out of every day until the school year comes back around. One of my favorite things to do during not only during the summer, but my free time, is to browse through Spotify, iTunes, etc. I always love looking for new songs or new artists that haven’t been featured on the radio yet (and need to be). There are so many up-beat songs that no one knows about and finding “hidden treasures” like these only make me more excited about the growing potential these artists have.

1. Maybe IDK - Jon Bellion

Jon Bellion’s music can be recognized through his creative/cartoon-like album covers. Bellion has been putting out singles, which are available on Spotify, since 2014. His music and style is consistent all the way through. If you’re looking for something unique and not something that you normally hear on the radio, check his music out! This album has a compilation of catchy and rhythmic beats that you’ll want to keep listening to over and over again. This song in particular is off of his newest album release, The Human Condition. The first time I heard this song, I couldn't stop listening to it. The entire song from start to finish is undeniably catchy and relatable— what more could you want?

2. Chainsaw - Nick Jonas

Now obviously Nick Jonas is a well known artist and his recent releases that aren’t on the radio yet are already gaining attention from his newest album, Last Year Was Complicated. When I found this song, I found it under ‘New Releases’ on Spotify, and to see it if lived up to his other songs, I pressed ‘play’. Now, I’m a sucker for a good catchy chorus that uses a good play on words. How does anyone come up with the lyrics, “I’ll take a chainsaw to the sofa”? It’s one thing to have the words, but to be able to make them flow with the right tune? That’s pretty impressive to me. So anyone that’s a Nick Jonas fan, have at it and start screaming out this song like you’ve felt this kind of pain before.

3. I Wear Glasses - Mating Ritual

If you want a good song that you can just dance to like no one’s watching or just to have a good up-beat song to listen to in the car, then this song is definitely worth listening to. This is another song that I stumbled across on Spotify in some random playlist. I had to give it a chance because the very beginning of it wasn’t all the promising for me, but when it got to the chorus, I started clapping my hands and singing the words at the top of my lungs! Even though I’ve listened to this song countless of times, it’s probably one of my favorites because my girlfriend and I are always blasting this in the car and singing it to each other.

4. I'm Good - The Mowgli's

Now THIS song is the definition of a feel-good song. This is a song where you don’t need to know any other words of the song besides the chorus! My girlfriend always stares at me because I just start dancing and singing to this song without a care in the world — and that’s the way it should be when you’re listening to this song! Definitely take a listen (or 10) to this song because hearing it once really isn’t enough.

You may have heard a song or two by The Wombats if you listen to an alternative music radio station. I’ve tried listening to their other songs but this one is the one that stands out the most to me. I’ve also heard them sing this one live at LIVE 105’s BFD, and listening to this song is just a fun time. The catchiest line is definitely the opening line that starts with, “We’re smashing mics in karaoke bars” and it’s the only line I know because of how fun it sounds!

6. River - Bishop Briggs

Bishop Briggs gives us a powerful and intense track with ‘River’. When I’m listening to this song, I feel like I should be angry and throwing chairs across the room. The intensity of this song is one of the reasons why I’ve chosen to include it in the the 7 songs that you should give a listen to. Going away from the typical “feel-good and happy” song, this song can give you that feel-good moment in a different way. An expression through her vocal range and the bass definitely doesn’t disappoint. If you ever get the chance to see her perform live, this song is the one to look out for.

7. Cliff's Edge - Hayley Kikoyo

Hayley Kiyoko never fails to surprise me with her songs. Cliff’s Edge is just one of the many amazing creations she has shared with the world. This song definitely pulls on my heartstrings a little with what it’s written about. But to spare you with the emotional details, this song is unusual in a sense that I’ve never heard anything like it before. The artistry behind the song is truly an inspiration to myself in wanting to produce something so raw and vulnerable. It stands on it’s own and when it reaches the chorus it makes you “wanna feel the sea breeze”. Listen to it enough and you’ll be hooked.