(Originally published on angelamclean.ca)
This summer has been a prime time for music. The weather is (almost) consistently beautiful and our favourite artists are supplying their own sunshine and rainbows in the form of new music. The latest releases have been vibrant, fresh and upbeat – everything I’m looking for in songs I can jam out to and put on repeat. Also, if you’re anything like me, you’ve already gone back and fallen in love again with all the songs you were obsessed with last summer. Reminiscing about your favourite summer memories as you make new ones is truly the best!
In honour of my stateside friends having just celebrated the 4th of July, this month’s playlist goes all out with 44 songs – 2 hours and 35 minutes of pure ear magic. (No, that is totally not a fake justification for me going a little music crazy making this playlist…not at all.)
Scroll down to hit play on July’s ‘finds & faves’ playlist and read why I selected my top tracks.
Find: “King of the Clouds” – Panic! At The Disco
The first 13 seconds of this song were enough to make me add it to this month’s playlist. It’s flawlessly frenetic and fun and I feel like a badass whenever I put it on. My tip: Play this right when you wake up in the morning and get ready to seize the day!
Fave: “Loving Is Easy” – Rex Orange County feat. Benny Sings
If you follow the emerging music scene, you may recognize Rex Orange County as a name that’s been floating just beneath the mainstream radar this past year. He’s quickly gaining traction with songs like “Loving Is Easy,” his most streamed release on Spotify with almost 40 million plays. It sounds like something you’ve heard before in all the best ways. I found myself instantly swaying side to side in my seat and wanted to go out for a walk and enjoy the world. If a bright, sunny day was packaged into a song, this would be it! Consider me a new fan.
Find: “God is a woman” – Ariana Grande
If girl power had a defining song, it would be Ariana’s “God is a woman.” The song, and the accompanying music video, are filled with allusions to religion, art and, overwhelmingly, out-of-this-world sex. The music video specifically also serves as a kind “F U” to haters, naysayers and discriminators. I love the Instagram caption-friendly lyric “When you try to come for me, I keep on flourishing” – tell ‘em, sis! I’ve had “God is a woman” on repeat since the day it came out and I’m really looking forward to the rest of Ariana’s ‘Sweetener’ era.
Fave: “Pink Lemonade” – James Bay
To tease the May release of his long-awaited sophomore album, James Bay released three singles previewing his revamped sound including the summer-ready “Pink Lemonade.” It’s poppier than Bay’s previous releases but still highlights his nostalgic and groovy rock influence, making it the perfect track to blast in the car or at a party – with a pink lemonade in hand, of course.
Find: “Karma” – Years & Years
I know I rave about my favourite tracks all the time, but it’s actually quite rare that I love one so much that I send it directly to all of my friends. That changed with “Karma.” Being a huge fan of the Years & Years fellas, I was really excited for their new, sophomore album ‘Palo Santo’ and, as expected, it was definitely worth the three years of waiting. This song departs from the band’s moodier and often darker sound and takes on a bit of a ‘90s R&B vibe with a genius Lauryn Hill sample in the opening. It’s just a good time.
Fave: “Words” (Single Version) – FVLCRVM
One feature I love taking advantage of on Spotify is adding my friends and seeing what they’re listening to on my sidebar. This song has come up several times in recent months so I had to check it out. Needless to say I was quite impressed with what I heard! There’s something very captivating and interesting about this song that I can’t place – but when that chorus hits, OOOH man! I can’t get enough. I also highly recommend the newly-released Monophobe remix for a thumpy take on the track.
What are you listening to this month? Share it with me in the comments below or on Twitter @angelamcleanx. If I missed your fave new song this month, I just might be saving it for next month’s playlist – we’ve got a tropical theme coming along!
(Playlist Cover: yenerator.com)
