I’m not going to write a lengthy preamble this year. It was as tough as ever to curate this list. Hundreds and hundreds of good songs were released in 2015, so culling them down to a hundred wasn’t easy. But I did it, and I like/love every single song on this list. There’s a tonne of quality tune-age here. If you’re reading this, hopefully you find something to get into. #BeeheeheeatsLiveHere
100. Big Grams – Lights On
99. Naughty Boy f. Beyonce & Arrow – Running
98. Shamir – Demon
97. Baio – Sister of Pearl
Bonus: Andy Grammer – Honey I’m Good
96. Ratatat – Cream On Chrome
95. Rae Sremmurd – Come Get Her
94. Ashley Monroe – The Blade
93. Small Black – Boys Life
92. Life In Film – Get Closer
Bonus: Springtime Carnivore – Name on a Matchbook
91. Bully – Trying
90. Missy Elliott f. Pharrell – WTF (Where They From)
89. Book of Fears – The Water Lets You In
88. Destra Garcia – Lucy
87. Shawn Mendes – Stitches
86. My Morning Jacket – Big Decisions
Bonus: First Aid Kit – My Silver Lining/Stay Gold
85. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Can’t Keep Checking My Phone
84. Angels and Airwaves – Anomaly/Tunnels/The Wolfpack
I wrote this last year and feel it’s still a succinct and fitting introduction to this list: Music carries a special weight in the summer. It can whisper with the wind, lay and linger with the light, and kiss ears like the sun kisses skin.
For many, the warmth of summer brings a certain type of hope and happiness (especially to those of us living in a 4-season part of the world), and songs have a singular capacity — unlike any other art form — to soundtrack the season and the moments therein.
Here are my favourite 30 songs from the summer of 2015:
30. Yukon Blonde – Saturday Night
More dope with every listen.
29. Omarion f. Jhene Aiko & Chris Brown – Post To Be
Thanks for the heads up on this GD. 🙂
28. Ratatat – Nightclub Amnesia
The record version is awesome, the live version (linked below) is bonkers. I love Ratatat’s use of guitars in this track.
Bonus: Chet Faker – Talk Is Cheap
From last year, but I just got into it this summer. For me, the best song he played at Osheaga too.
27. Alessia Cara – Here
The tune by this Torontonian is sexy and sultry. So is Alessia Cara. She’s one to watch.
26. Silversun Pickups – Nightlight
So glad Brian and co. are back. 🙂
25. George Ezra – Blame It On Me
I think his performance of this at Osheaga shone a light on the track that had kept it hidden previously. I’m glad for that. Really fun to sing along to.
24. Robbie Williams f. Avicii – The Days
Because of Robbie’s vocals. Anything that Robbie touches, he becomes the star of.
23. Atlas Genius – Molecules
Banging lead single from their new album.
22. Switchfoot – Oh! Gravity
Why did I think this was a new song? I don’t have a good answer for that. I thought it was new, and that is what will matter for the purpose of this list.
21. Twenty One Pilots – Car Radio/Guns For Hands/Trees/Lovely
Hooks abound. I played a lllllllot of Twenty One Pilots this summer. These four tunes were constants. I really like all of them, but “Trees” is something special.
Bonus: Watermat – Bullit
Hard to resist.
20. DIIV – How Long Have You Known?
Again, I had no idea this was an older song. I discovered and listened to it a bunch this summer.
19. First Aid Kit – My Silver Lining/Stay Gold
Thanks again GD for the heads up on these. I really like these two tracks.
18. Small Black – Boys Life
Love this 80’s indebted dance track. So easy to get lost in. And so I did.
Bonus: Notorious B.I.G. f. Ja Rule – Old Thing Back (Matoma Remix)
I have to thank the Pilkman for this one. I’ll always remember taking a limo to Wasaga beach (winning at life) and having this scorcher blaring, getting all occupants turnt up. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard this remix before. It’s sensational. And don’t let the fact that Ja Rule is on the track fool you. Not only does he not make the tune worse, his verse is actually pretty cool. Rose-coloured glasses maybe, but such is the power of summer.
17. Ryn Weaver – Promises/The Fool
Two brilliant pop songs. Loved her set at Osheaga too.
The Pun Is Sure 