With July starting and the days only getting hotter, those of us here at WVUA thought it would be the perfect time to put together a summer playlist. With some old and some new songs, some popular and some less widely known, and a variety of genres, you are sure to find something to add to your own soundtrack this summer. The playlist can be found here on Spotify, or read below to hear our thoughts!
“Sugar” by Remi Wolf
We’re kicking things off with a burst of sweetness from Remi Wolf’s “Sugar.” The song is properly named as it’ll make you want to chase down the ice cream truck and raid the cooler for the coldest drink you can find.
“I’ve Been In Love” by Jungle and Channel Tres
“I’ve Been In Love” feels like slipping on sunglasses that make everything instantly cooler but harder to see. It’s the soundtrack to accidentally falling in love while waiting for the grill to finish.
“Feels Like Summer” by Childish Gambino
This track is like a cool breeze sneaking up to smack you in the mouth in the best way possible. It’s perfect for pretending that you are definitely NOT getting a sunburn right now.
“Summertime” by The Sundays
This track is a light and airy track that fits in well with a picnic or a nice relaxation in an open field. The bright guitars and funky synthesizer elements paired with the punchy horn details are peak for blasting at full volume with the windows down.
“Sunshine (feat. Fousheé)” by Steve Lacy
Steve Lacy nailed the effortless feel of this song-it’s like walking up to the cookout an hour late but somehow stealing the show. It’s smooth, flirty, and made for swaying the grass while someone is charring some hot dogs nearby.
“97 Jag” by Kevin Abstract and Love Spells
Off his new album Blush, released just last week, Abstract teams up with Love Spells to give us a summer night embodied as a song. This track is for feeling the warm summer air on your skin at the start of an exciting evenging with friends.
“Yuck” by Charli xcx
Brat Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you should stop listening to Charli xcx. The light hearted lyrics and catchy chorus are sure to get stuck in your head and have you coming back for more.
“Big Poppa” by The Notorious B.I.G.
What is summer if not for driving around the town with your windows down. And when it comes to cruising around music, nothing can beat this classic Notorious B.I.G. track. Nothing is truly better than driving around with some friends, grabbing some snow cones and this song is the perfect soundtrack to that.
“Suddenly I See” by KT Tunstall
This fun track is a bright cheerful one you can dance to. The perfect track to accompany going for a dive in your local lake, running down the beach, and overall making classic summer memories.
“Love On The Outside” by Wishy
A fun indie pop song with some shoegaze influences, this track is perfect for a sunny afternoon. If you enjoy this one, their new EP Planet Popstar has even more summertime songs.
“Elderberry Wine” by Wednesday
This song hits like that one friend who shows up to the barbeque with a homemade drink that turns out to be incredible. Wednesday serves up folk and country vibes so authentic that you’ll start planning a camping trip that, deep down, you know you’ll never take.
“Favourite” by Fontaines D.C.
Packed full of beautiful lyrics, dreamy backing vocals, and perfectly timed guitar licks, Fontaines D.C. deliver a heartwarming and nostalgic masterpiece you won’t forget.
“Summer” by Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse made the ultimate anthem for awkwardly hovering near the DJ booth until they finally play your request. Although this won’t chill the warm drink in your hand, it will definitely keep you dancing.
“Julia’s War” by Hotline TNT
Hotline TNT’s latest album Raspberry Moon has been a hit around the station, and this lead single won’t disappoint if you’re a fan of noisy guitars, catchy riffs, and a chorus with a good “na na na.”
“Right Back to It” by Waxahatchee and MJ Lenderman
Alabama artist Waxahatchee and North Carolinian MJ Lenderman blend beautifully together in this indie twang track. If you’re a fan of folk, country, or banjos in general, this one’s for you.
“Body Heat” by Goldie Boutilier
This one feels like strutting across a motel parking lot in the dead of summer, sunglasses on, drama high. It’s giving late-night bonfire, mysterious stranger, and a popsicle melting way too fast.
“Wonderful Time” by Certainly So
If you’re looking for a song to fill you with whimsy and an unmatched lack of responsibility, this is the peak. It’s got that lazy, golden hour energy that makes you wanna cancel everything and go frolic in the creek.
“Doin’ Time” by Sublime
I once was told that Sublime makes Christmas music for the summer season. Their unique funky tone matches so well with summer as a season, so we would be remiss to not include a track from them on here.
“car” by Royel Otis
Indie rock duo Royel Otis blew up last year with their covers of “Murder on the Dancefloor” and “Linger,” but their original work is definitely worth checking out. Their newest single “car” is perfect for chill summer listening.
“Burn Like Violet” by Smut
This track off Smut’s new album Tomorrow Comes Crashing gives classic 90’s rock vibes. It’s loud, with punchy guitar and rolling drums, and is reminiscent of the exit music of a 90’s teen drama. Peak summer vibes for your coming-of-age film dreams.
“Miami” by Will Smith
This Track is an instant earworm upon listen. Though it is cheesy (I mean come on it’s a Will Smith track) it has a certain joyful energy that fits right into a summer’s vibe. Bienvenido a Miami!
“28 Butts” The Stoop
In a similar vein, “28 Butts” is just a fun and joyful track. To quote American Bandstand “It’s got a good beat and you can dance to it!”. What more could you want from a summertime track?
“Dry Land” by Wheelers
The wheelers have long been a local favorite of the station as a Tuscaloosa based band. Dry Land is a fast-paced track with smooth lead guitar work accompanied with driving rhythm that fits the energy of a summer adventure.
“Give My Heart” by Junior Varsity
Junior Varsity’s debut album My Star, out June 27, is full of fun and exciting pop music, but “Give My Heart” is exactly what a summer song should be: danceable. Turn this on and you won’t be able to resist bopping along.
“Clarity” by Zedd
No playlist would complete without this generation-defining classic. While you most likely know this one, you may have forgotten about it, and we can’t let that happen. Do yourself a favor and put “Clarity” on next time you have aux.
Curated and co-written by Chloe Crooks, Nic Pettitt, and Kathryn Rachford
