Summer is about beaches, lake days, the outdoors, friends, and being carefree. But more importantly, for me, it's about music. Summer is when I'm constantly jamming in my car (alone just as much as with my friends), playing music from a speaker on the beach, humming at a bonfire and generally always wanting to hear music as happy as I am. Summer music is its own genre, and it has to be just right. If you're tired of listening to the same Sublime songs (although, let's face it -- no one gets tired of old Sublime), here are my top new summer jams that I can wholeheartedly recommend to everyone.
1. Dirty Heads
Similar to Sublime with a modern twist, Dirty Heads has songs that resonate with old reggae all the way to modern pop/techno. They literally exist to be blared in the car or from a wireless speaker in the sand on a sunny day. It's a scientific fact. If nothing else on this list intrigues you, do yourself a favor and look them up. Then sit back and pretend you're in Mexico with some fruity drink in your hand for one song, and in a dance club on some island in Central America for the next. You're gonna wanna dance and get some bongos for this.
2. BORNS
Yes, I am aware I've already written about Garrett Borns. But I love him. BORNS is a dreamy, alternative pop act that will make you want to roll your windows down and feel the wind on your face on a starry night while driving down some back road. It will make you want to have a summer love. Hell, this band is your summer love. With poetic lyrics and blissful, upbeat melodies, BORNS is all of the surreality that summer should be. This is the kind of music that makes your heart swell up and makes you feel happy to be alive. I can't talk up this guy enough.
3. Bad Suns
If you're into more mainstream alternative but want music that hasn't been super discovered yet, Bad Suns is your go-to. Think Walk the Moon meets Coldplay or something. They make for a great midday sing-a-long and are perfect for when the sun is shining.
4. Glass Animals
Glass Animals is your modern-trippy-music-festival part of this list. They're pretty popular already, but they're perfect for anyone who wants to feel like they're constantly at Lolla. They're like a drug trip without the illicit materials. You'll be in your own world, and you'll feel as blissful and relaxed as you should during summer. Just pretend you don't have any responsibilities to tend to.
5. HONNE
The lead male singer of HONNE has a voice that will make you feel some type of way. This band is deep and suave and ridiculously chill with some techno infusion. They've got choruses that invite you to sing along, and some of their slower songs will make you want to cruise all night. Or find someone to make out with. Whichever.
6. Cathedrals
This band is still pretty unknown, but if you want something more on the techno side of summer, this band is a good choice. They sound like something that would totally be on the radio, but better. The lead vocalist has a sweet, summery voice that has depth and range to it, and paired with the beats behind it, this makes for a grittier, less folk-y option of summer music.
Some honorable mentions of my favorite summer songs this season:
"Loud(y)" by Lewis del Mar
"Gone" by JR JR
"Guru" by Coast Modern
"Could Have Been Me" by The Struts
"Roses" by The Chainsmokers (totally popular, but whatever, it's good)
"Amerika" by Young the Giant
"Yin Yang" by USS
Obviously, between writing and two jobs, I've still had enough summer time to get some anthems going. That's all that really matters, right? Because if you don't spend your entire summer break jamming and creating a personal seasonal playlist, did you really summer at all? Follow my summer playlist on Spotify here, and leave your favorite summer jams in the comments!
