Enjoy the following music here.
By Robert Masiello
You know those people who say that summer is over after the Fourth of July? I want to punch those people. For Christ’s sake, I just finished digging my car out of the snowbanks a week or two ago. So even though the holiday has come and gone, here’s a playlist of 2014’s best summer songs.
“Don’t Tell ‘Em”
Remember Snap!’s early-1990s single “Rhythm is a Dancer”? Producers DJ Mustard and Mick Schultz have teamed with Jeremih and YG to spin it into a throbbing hip-hop jam. This re-do is, thankfully, neither kitschy nor self-important. It respects its source while thoroughly modernizing it and deserves to be a hit on its own terms, not solely for the nostalgia factor.
“Chandelier”
To those who don’t know better, Sia’s monster single “Chandelier” will be just another balls-to-the-wall party anthem. But listen closely, and it is easy to hear the deep pathos buried in her lyrics. This is not a track that glorifies partying. “I’m holding on for dear life, won’t look down, won’t open my eyes” she sings, teetering on the brink of sanity. Adding to the lyrical intensity is a killer hook that makes it possibly the best pop song since “We Found Love.” Oh, and did I mention that her vocal performance is one of the year’s best?
“Give Thanks”
Jamaican dancehall artist Popcaan’s debut full-length "Where We Come From" could have been an artistic flop destined for frat party soundtracks, but instead breathes life into the genre. While often inscrutable, the lyrics still convey empathy, and the beats are electrifying. “Give Thanks” is Popcaan’s tribute to the protective power of music that somehow transcends cliché. With smut like “Rude” by Magic! creeping onto airwaves, it’s easy to forget that reggae can have a heart like this.
“Can’t Do Without You”
If Caribou's previous album "Swim" found him transitioning from psychedelic pop to house and techno, new track “Can’t Do Without You” indicates that his upcoming album will continue that trend. The track is euphoric, and demonstrates that there is still magic to be found in sampling and repetition. Unabashedly blissful, Caribou’s latest would be equally appropriate at a sunny cookout or strobe-lit club.
“Do It Again”
Oh Robyn, we’ve missed you. Back after a four-year hiatus, Robyn still has the uncanny ability to break your heart and get your foot tapping at the same time. Her new collaborative mini-album with Royksopp is better than it has any right to be. Sometimes when an artist returns after a break, it feels like a desperate attempt to regain relevance. On the contrary, “Do It Again” will remind you why you loved her in the first place.
“Coffee”
Folk musicians Amelia Randall Meath and Nicholas Sanborn have joined forces to create the electro-pop duo Sylvan Esso. The resulting tunes are as warm and enveloping as one would expect from former folkies now dabbling in synths. On “Coffee,” Meath sings longingly about dancing with her partner, and the ambiance is all twilight and red wine. It’s a genuinely sexy song, best reserved for after the guests have left.
“Parade”
The Antlers, masters of sadness, on a summer playlist? First time for everything. This sublime cut off their latest LP "Familiars" begins at a deliberate pace before blossoming into a jazzy, soulful number. Songwriter Peter Silberman weaves a narrative that’s equal parts wistful and disconcerting, while his bandmates embellish the track with a triumphant brass arrangement. “All I know is, this year will be the year we win,” he bellows, and even though it’s hard to believe him, the best summers are often buoyed by a certain naïve optimism.
“Fruit Tree”
James Kelly used to be the frontman of the black-metal band Altar of Plagues, but his solo project WIFE has allowed him to explore his electronic and experimental leanings. Produced by The Haxan Cloak, WIFE’s debut LP "What’s Between" is a shadowy, often claustrophobic affair. But Kelly finds beauty and depth in the blackness. Penultimate track “Fruit Tree” is the album’s catchiest number, with a distinctly tropical vibe. In different hands, this song could be a pop smash. As it stands, it’s an oddball ditty that works because of, not in spite of, its ghostly production.
“Jerk Ribs”
Nothing brought you more joy than hearing “Milkshake” at a high school dance, but you have since forgotten about poor Kelis. While she will probably never be able to shake the one-hit wonder designation, Kelis has actually spent the past few years churning out respectable albums. Her latest release Food is cloaked in southern charm, with Kelis’ voice reaching expressive depths. It’s a shame that the rhythmic single “Jerk Ribs” won’t likely be a Top40 hit, as it would be a brilliant foil to the staid collection of songs currently topping the charts.
“You Can”
Whether or not you follow soccer (I don’t), I think we can all agree that World Cup songs are predictably dreadful. Tearjerker’s anthemic “You Can” would make an infinitely better World Cup song than anything Pitbull regurgitates. The track is an extended climax, ceaselessly building upon itself but never collapsing under its own weight. “You can’t bring it back, but you can make it last” the band howls, sounding more like a prayer than a chorus. It’s pensive, empowering, and irresistibly catchy.