Just like that, Summer 2018 has arrived, even if we were given little to no time to prep for it. With Summer opening Memorial Day weekend in our rearview mirror and three glorious months of Summer in front of us, it’s time to get serious about the music that will be accompanying us on this journey. We’ve got rap battles, EDM, powerhouse pop bops, and even a little something to get us in the right state of mind for the World Cup.
Just for fun we’ve ranked the following songs in order we feel they will have an impact on you this Summer, but trust and believe when we say this process has been more difficult than usual – with so much variety our heads were spinning! As always, Spotify remains our source for all the new music we can get our hands on.
10. No Place by RÜFÜS DU SOL
Every summer needs a blast of a little bit of EDM, and there’s no place we’d rather be than a spot that allows us to be engulfed in this Aussie trio’s latest. The group recently told Australian radio station triple j that the forthcoming new album was created while visiting Joshua Tree, it inspired lyrics writing and soul searching (and perhaps the album’s artwork?). Poolside or blasting on your car speakers, this track is well equipped to carry you through the summer.
9. Ups & Downs by KYLE
There may be a propensity to think of KYLE in proportion to the sonic splash iSpy, but fans and the loosely familiar will learn that KYLE becomes more of a known presence on Light Of Mine. The album has him talking about his personal experiences and becoming more relatable to fans. His new music is best experienced listening to the full album in order, and what better place to start than the first track, Ups & Downs.
8. Solo by Clean Bandit ft. Demi Lovato
File this one under candy for your ears; Clean Bandit provides the beats and Lovato her crystal clear vocals. The song is a single person’s anthem, with an insanely catchy chorus that will have radio censorship managers in a twist. Also file this one under Summer Bop, perfect for your poolside playlist.
7. WIN by Jay Rock
We last caught up with Jay Rock on the monstrously successful Black Panther album; he’s back with the horns on the triumphantly aggressive WIN. The vibe is an unique mix of playful and not to be messed with. Listen in closely for Kendrick Lamar with the (uncredited) ad-libs. We know this will bang all summer, but we also can’t wait to hear this all over football tailgates in the fall.
6. Fall in Line by Christina Aguilera, Demi Lovato
While we were waiting for June 15 when Christina’s new album, Liberation, will drop, we were treated to and subsequently shooketh by a collaboration with Demi Lovato, who when paired up, simply put, sound amazing together. This track is all empowered Christina, with lines like “I got a mind to show my strength, & I got a right to speak my mind” backed by her otherworldly vocal range and powerhouse bravado that gives us major, major chills.
5. Bubblin by Anderson .Paak
A manic-y hook with interludes from Serpico, Bubblin feels in direct contrast from Anderson’s most recent project Til It’s Over, except for the fact that both songs surround the topic of the “come up.” Your appreciation of this song and Anderson’s creativity increases exponentially while viewing the music video, featuring a malfunctioning ATM and MC Hammer-like spending habits.
4. Positivo by J Balvin, Michael Brun
The 2018 World Cup will soon be upon us, and with that we need something to get us in the mood for a summer of fùtbol. What better way than to pump it up with some positivo vibes by the man who had one of the hottest tracks of last summer, Mi Gente. Positivo is fun times, and even if no hables Español, you can follow along to the simple repetition of “Fire” on the track.
3. Sangria Wine by Pharrell Williams x Camila Cabello
If you’re looking for your first bop of Summer 2018, you can look no further. Out the gate Sangria Wine feels like summer, and will having you feel like you’re living your best life no matter if you’re wine-ing in your living room, at the beach, or an over air-conditioned office cubicle. The back and forth between Pharrell & Cabello is perfectly balanced here, and has enough gas to keep you going all summer long.
2. Bad Bad News by Leon Bridges
Although this track has been out for a bit, we couldn’t help but add it to summer 2018, because, when you tire of the bops and bangers, you just need something you can jam and vibe to. A little more of THIS, a little less of THAT. Leon Bridges does it so, so right here, EASILY making a good good thing out of bad, bad news.
1. Praise the Lord (Da Shine by A$AP Rocky, Skepta
It already appears that Summer 2018 is lining up to the be the summer of the rap battle, or just raps in general, and with tracks like Praise The Lord we are perfectly okay with that. The flutes are out and Skepta is in, back with another collaboration that makes sense because it flows so naturally. We love the way the raps are ridden directly over the beat, making for a song that’s easy to go along with, and a chorus that helps you harness your inner Julius Caesar.
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