Summer is in full form and so that means breezy tunes, seasonal anthems and the warmest, most delicious songs of the season. So I decided to compile my own list of summer songs, both old and new, that evoke the most wonderful season of all! Bring on the heat...
No question, without a doubt the first song that is on my summer list is the Mousse T remix of FCL's song "It's You". With opening lyrics that literally say "I feel the heat" and a light, delicate instrumental, this song is just made up of lemonade, popsicles and summer.
The fresh-faced MORRT's buttery track "Realize" is for car rides cruising to the beach or for setting the ambiance to your summer pool party. MORRT (aka 21-year-old Josh Mortimer) keeps the beat light with minimal vocals and a smooth, gradual build-up that eventually ebbs nicely into a laid-back tempo. Nothing noisy, but just perfectly relaxing.
"Silverlined" by XYconstant is made up of beautiful vocals and flawless harmonies. Lyrics worth swooning over and wrapped up in a delicious deep house beat, this song evokes nostalgia and really just the wanting of summer to stick around all the time. Also this Ferdinand Weber remix just adds a whole new level of lush music.
I absolutely love when R&B songs get a nice electronic revamp and this is no exception. Aaliyah's own summery classic, "Rock the Boat" gets an even more summery reboot with DWYR turning up the smoothness.
This summer Disclosure released the addictive and soulful song "Holding On". The song is borderline being overplayed but it's too good and Gregory Porter's velvety vocals are a perfect fit for the classic house sound. Check out the official video below. The video is the first of a four-part series which will all culminate to create a short film named "CARACAL". As each video is released, the plot unfolds...so be sure to keep watching.
Ok this next one is massive. I think most of us can relate to the fact that when we hear a song we LOVE, we're a slave to the vibe. Billon's summer anthem "Slave to the Vibe" is so feel-good you just want to put it on repeat until you are so sick of the song. As I've said before, combining piano-riffs with the most soulful of vocals makes any song irresistible, and "Slave to the Vibe" follows this formula perfectly.
My favorite song right now is Shadow Child and Doorly's soulful collaboration "Climbin' (Piano Weapon)". I know I sound like a broken record BUT I'm in love with piano riffs in this song. It has the most amazing piano background that duets perfectly with the emotive, uplifting vocals. Also be sure to listen to the original piano instrumental version of this song, hence the "Piano Weapon" title.
I was just in Lebanon visiting family (literally got off the plane hours ago) and my cousins had "Cheerleader" on repeat for the entire trip. This New York Times article notes that OMI originally released the song back in 2012 under a Jamaican-based independent label called Oufah. "Cheerleader" was brought back to life in 2014 by Ultra Records and then took over airwaves when German producer Felix Jaehn presented a fresh tropical house remix of the song. Check out the video below released via Ultra Records.
Philip George is probably my newest obsession. He has that true house feel and even managed to make a Stevie Wonder classic into a deep house hit. My favorites songs of his are below. "Love Inside" is a year old but it just has such a fresh sound with hollow beats that are underscored by a slight piano line and topped off with echoey vocals. The lyrics and vocals are simple and soft, but they are my favorite part of the song. "Afraid to Love" is the defiant, determined anthem with strong vocals and a driving piano instrumental. It's a club friendly song, with an infectious beat that will be on repeat all summer long.
And last but not least, I couldn't resist including this gem. The sexy, feisty and perfectly house masterpiece that is "Perfect" by Mason vs. Princess Superstar. Fun lyrics over a catchy synth makes this song so addicting and has made it have staying power for so many years. Princess Superstar is never one to play it safe with lyrics and she contributes a sassy edge to the song. Perfect house music.
Top Photo by Sleepless Sounds