5 Albums for Your Summer Playlist

By: Benny Schorie

Despite contradictory evidence from recent weather, summer is right around the corner. This can only mean one thing: it’s time for the ultimate summer playlist. What makes an album perfect for summer listening is simple. It should be upbeat—making you want to dance in the sun with your friends like your life is a rom-com—and have some nostalgic element—reminding you that these are the “good, ol’ days.” These are in no particular order and are all equally necessary to create the summer vibes.

1. "Disappear Here" by Bad Suns was released in 2016 and is a culmination of the indie-rock trends of its decade. It has the qualities that made the genre fun and exciting while lacking the faults that made it redundant and annoying. It meets and defines the previously defined qualities for perfect summer listening. My personal picks from the album are “Swimming In The Moonlight” and “Violet.”

Photo courtesy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappear_Here_(Bad_Suns_album)

2. "After Laughter" by Paramore is a summer staple for all. The band has developed a cult following in recent years, and, while this 2017 project veers from the rest of their discography in its adaptation of pop elements, it is much adored for its unapologetic lyricism contrasted with vibrant production. My favorite songs are “Pool” and “Rose-Colored Boy.”

Photo courtesy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/After_Laughter

3. "Art Angels" by Grimes is the weirdest pick for this list, but, with Grimes’s weird style and the tangible 2015 vibes, this album is ideal for the summer. The artist fully embraces elements of dream pop and electronic music to produce a lively record that is enjoyable and perfect for dancing around your room alone. “Pin” and “California” are absolutely required listening.

Photo courtesy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Angels

4. "Lovelife" by Lush was released in 1996 and is the epitome of 90s rock. This album will provide a different type of main character energy to the other albums on this list, but it will definitely make you feel like the misunderstood 90s rom-com character that you inevitably aren’t. Who doesn’t want that? This will diversify your playlist if you want more rock and less pop. My favorites are “Runaway” and “The Childcatcher.”

Photo courtesy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovelife_(album)

5. "If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears" by The Mamas & The Papas rounds off my list and contributes the necessary 1960s groove. Some might be familiar with the song “California Dreamin’” from this album because of its recent presence on TikTok, but the rest of the album is equally fantastic. It is 60s rock in its purest form, perfect for days in the sun. “Somebody Groovy” and “Straight Shooter” are my favorites alongside “California Dreamin.”