songs of summer

Top 30 Songs of Summer 2015 (30-16)

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.

 

16. The Decemberists – Make You Better

My favourite song from them in a looooong time.

Top 30 Songs of Summer 2014 (30-16)

As I mentioned in my previous list (https://thepunissure.com/2014/09/16/top-10-songs-of-summer-2014-that-are-not-from-2014/), 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.

That said, I’ve decided to do another Best Songs of The Summer list. Here are my favourite 30 songs from the summer of 2014:

30. Sir Sly – Gold

Sounding like one of The Neighbourhood’s better tracks, “Gold” is a valuable metal.

 

29. Anna Graceman – Words (Glastrophobie remix)

Words, words, words… piano, gitch, and melody. The original is pleasant too, but this version has a particularly attractive zest about it.

 

28. Tiaan – Devil’s Touch

Breezy, fresh, and relatively minimal pop, “Devil’s Touch” is a spritely summer song.

 

27. Spoon – Do You

Spoon’s comeback single is a winner. It’s a spork to save the day when you’ve neither the time nor the inclination to decide which utensil is most appropriate.

 

26. Rdgldgrn – Turn

Really got into this jam. A little 311, a little Sublime, a little bit of an earworm.

 

25. Seether – Words as Weapons/Same Damn Life

These two songs are the cleanest, most polished I’ve heard Seether. This might not do it for some, but I’m down with it. Shaun Morgan’s voice sounds great with strong supporting melodies.

Words as Weapons

 

Same Damn Life

 

24. Sia – Elastic Heart

Sia’s voice is a weapon. An elastic one with a heart as strong as a diamond. Possibly the best track from her latest album.

 

23. Sophie – Lemonade

“Lemonade” doesn’t just push and prod the boundaries of pop in 2014, it obliterates them. What a fantastic “is this really happening” track.

 

22. Twenty One Pilots – House Of Gold

Already huge, or getting there, I’m not sure. What I am sure of is whatever attention it garners is well deserved.

 

21. OK GO – The Writing’s On The Wall

OK GO always make amazing videos. “The Writing On The Wall” is no exception. What they’ve added to the formula is the best song they’ve ever done. (Seriously, watch this video if you haven’t already — it’s awesome.)

 

20. La Roux – Kiss And Not Tell

I would’ve chosen another tune as the 4th single, but that’s no slight to “Kiss And Not Tell”. This is a super stylish ditty and one of the better songs on La Roux’s sensational second album, Tropical Chancer.

 

19. Charli – Boom Clap (Cahill Radio Edit)

Almost as excellent as the original, the Cahill Radio Edit achieved an impressive level of ubiquity for a dance remix. This is because it’s really, really good.

 

18. Iggy Azelea f. Charli XCX – Fancy

Didn’t fall head over heels in love with this track when I first heard it, and frankly, I don’t think I have to this point. But I can’t deny its power. It’s a massive banger with a simple beat, slick rhymes a wicked hook from Charli XCX. Oh, and I can’t count the number of people I’ve annoyed and possibly offended deeply by “singing”, ad nauseam, “first things first, I’m the realest.”

 

17. James Arthur – Recovery

It’s the massive chorus. And Arthur’s vocal delivery. And the verses. And how it gets distorted near the end. But that chorus. That sprawling, loopy, heart-racing chorus.

 

16. Duke Dumont – Mumble Man

Mumbling has never sounded so catchy. And the bass at 1:32 is killer. This is house music that needs no introduction. It just needs a dancefloor and some speakers. The victims will reveal themselves. They’ll have no choice.