With the weather starting to heat up and summer just around the corner, finding new music to add to your beach playlist is crucial. Catchy, feel-good songs you can sing along to are much needed as we push through the final weeks of the semester. Here are five songs I have had on repeat lately.
ωThe first song I always seem to have stuck in my head is by an indie-rock band from Toronto. “Guns and Ammunition” by July Talk has an interesting layering of sounds. The juxtaposition between the rough and raspy tone of the male vocalist’s voice and the softness of the female vocalist’s voice is what made me fall in love with this track.
ωJason Derulo is known for producing catchy, chart-topping singles that have listeners unable to hear without getting the urge to sing along. “Trumpets” is another Derulo hit I became obsessed with. Similar to his other music, this song is insanely catchy and is a great feel-good song. Listening to it always brightens my mood and I cannot help but tap my toes every time it comes on. This is the perfect song to add to your summer playlist.
ω“Things We Lost in the Fire” is a lesser-known song by the English rock band Bastille. A year ago this band was unknown, but they are now quickly gaining popularity after their song “Pompeii” became a chart-topping single this past winter. “Things We Lost in the Fire” is my favorite Bastille song, and I cannot seem to get enough of it. Its simplicity and great beat had me hooked from the first time I heard it. It is a song you hear once and will get stuck in your head for hours.
ωAnother great summer track to add to your driving playlist is “The Walker” by Fitz and the Tantrums. The Los Angeles band categorizes themselves as a neo-soul/indie pop band that have a fun vibe to their music. I had never heard of the band before hearing “The Walker,” but started listening to more of their music after hearing this song. The song has a whistling part to the chorus that I subconsciously find myself whistling throughout the day.
ωThe final song rounding out my top five is “Sunshine” by Matisyahu. I first heard this song in the Van Dyne Gymnasium at California Baptist University during one of the men’s volleyball games. The song came on and I whipped out my phone to Shazam it. The song has been at the top of my playlist ever since. This reggae-pop track is a great pump-up song that can be listened to all the time. I consider this a must-have on all 2014 summer playlists.
“Boneless” by Steve Aoki and “Classic” by MKTO are two other songs that just missed my top five but definitely deserve a listen. Give these songs a try, but I do warn you, they will get stuck in your head.
