Now that we’re hitting that hazy-ass midsummer period, it’s time to break out the summer jamz! I really haven’t been listening to a lot of summertime bangers, because I haven’t found very many this summer that really stand out. But I have been listening to a TON of the new wave R&B and a few choice rock bands:
Frank Ocean - The guy is the only part of Odd Future that will ever really get mainstream radio play, and he is arguably the most talented member of the collective. His album doesn’t really have a bad song.
The Weeknd - This is probably my favorite album on a whole to listen to this summer while driving or riding my bike. It’s sexy, fun, and reminds me that good R&B can still exist
Lana Del Rey - She only has like 2-3 songs you can even find, but her track “Video Games” is hypnotic. She feels like she belongs in the 60’s, but I think she has that ability to crossover into being a super popular young ingenue because she actually has A) a voice and B) one that sounds different that mostly everything out.
Beach Fossils - I didn’t ride the lo-fi surf pop wave as strongly as most did last year because I started to notice people were saying EVERYTHING was great, which was not true. That said, these guys dropped an EP that I definitely think is worth picking up for anyone who can get down with that sound.
Portugal. The Man - The Satanic Satanist is a phenomenal BBQ album to blast while you grill. Fact.
MyNameIsJohnMichael - The new track “Orphan” off the unreleased second album is a great song with a really big sound. It’s the type of song I’d want to turn into my morning alarm so that I attack the day!
I highly recommend giving all these bands/artists a listen this summer as they have been killing it for me.
