Summer Round-Up

A playlist encompassing the best summer hits

22 West Magazine
Aug 28, 2017 · 5 min read

By Jess Kung Multimedia Manager, Samantha Neou Multimedia Assiantant and Erick Zepeda Contributor

This season hasn’t been the greatest for music, but here are some underrated singles that stood out to us. Genres range from rap, R&B, alternative, pop and a mix of all the above. Either way, there is sure to be a gem on this list that’ll make you want to bathe in the summer sun or dance your night away.


“It’s a Vibe” by 2 Chainz feat. Ty Dolla $ign, Trey Songz & Jhene Aiko

2 Chainz has a reputation for an emphasis on style and many of his most memorable bars are his most humorous. His latest album, “Pretty Girls Like Trap Music,” is the product of a wiser, older rapper who’s decided to mix things up while dialing back the aggression. If there is any one song to capture the atmosphere of a trap album for the backyard barbeque it’s the aptly named “It’s A Vibe.”

“Tyrant” by Kali Uchis feat. Jorja Smith

The latest single from our Latinx sweetheart, Kali Uchis’ “Tyrant,” is a promising addition to her steadily growing fame. It so happens to be a sing-along jam as well. Bounce back at the masculine energy and make room for movement.

“Supercut” by Lorde

Lorde recounts the best moments of an old relationship while minimalist electronic baselines and beats serve as the backdrop in her song “Supercut.” This synth-pop bop is one of the groovier and more mature songs off of her latest album, “Melodrama,” and is fitting for those “wild and fluorescent” days with friends or lovers.

“The Way You Used To Do” by Queens of the Stone Age

QOTSA returns with a reminder that magic can happen with the most unlikely duo. Produced by Mark Ronson, known for his work on “Uptown Funk,” this dance-able rockabilly track oozes feet-taping fun. While it isn’t as heavy as their earlier work, it’s the change into slickness that may be what the band and fans need. The song can be found on their new album “Villains.”

“Crew” by GoldLink feat. Brent Faiyaz & Shy Glizzy

“Crew” sees the man of many flows exchange a pair of the smoothest verses you’ll hear all year with fellow DC native Shy Glizzy (now Young Jefe). Throw these on top of a beat by the producer of Kendrick Lamar’s “DAMN,” stitch them together with Faiyaz’s buttery hook and you got a party banger.

“I Ain’t Got Time!” by Tyler the Creator

“I Ain’t Got Time!” is the fast-paced flow you’d expect from Tyler, but is free of the lewd lyrics that would put a pin in the atmosphere of a party. One can only ponder the impact of the hook if it had been delivered by Yeezy for a moment before the beat hits.

“Blood Under My Belt” by The Drums

This year, the Drums returned with an album that feels both close to their roots and even closer to the heart. The single that led the anticipation, “Blood Under My Belt,” is Jonny Pierce’s signature brand of somber, beachy pop in full effect, because sometimes summer is about having a sad dance alone.

“Love Galore” by SZA feat. Travis Scott

With SZA’s melodic vocals and Travis Scott’s droning, this four-minute blend of tropical beats is a chill jam that has climbed the charts over the past few months. The rising R&B artist sings about lust and love, often conflating the two but ultimately deciding that she must put herself first. Overall, it’s a polished earworm.

“Otter Pop” by Shawn Wasabi feat. Hollis

With bubbly, MIDI-controlled beats, green-haired spicy boy Shawn Wasabi makes a splash with probably the only song on this list to reference calamansi. Where the beat is sparse, it is made up for in sparkly joy. The vocals by Hollis are sweet and fresh and the lyrics are a portal to pool party vibes. The track is uniquely pure, the video transfixing (Wasabi plays the track live), and it all adds up to a three-minute good mood.

“Summer Bummer” by Lana Del Rey feat. A$AP Rocky & Playboi Carti

Synths and snares, sounds common in trap music, add another dimension to this Lana Del Rey single, resulting in an unconventional summer jam. Her signature breezy voice serves as a hypnotic contrast to Rocky’s murmuring verses and Carti’s ad-libs in the background and it works. Images of hazy beach days and ominous humid nights come to mind with this track.

“Water Me” by Lizzo

This solid self-love anthem is a late contender to the summer season, but Lizzo brings a confidence that cannot be ignored. With lyrics like: “I don’t get dehydrated / I moisturize it daily / I am my inspiration,” this tune is karaoke-ready. Lizzo is unapologetically sexy and sassy as an artist and listening to her music empowers listeners to adopt a similar attitude.

Honorable mentions:

“Slide” by Calvin Harris feat. Frank Ocean & Migos

“Pizza (Kai Takahashi Remix)” by Oohyo

“Bodak Yellow” by Cardi B

“Shine On Me” by Dan Auerbach

22 West Magazine

A publication for the students, by the students. Since its inception, the vision of this publication has been to be "the students' newspaper." With each new staff and in this new iteration, 22 West Magazine has progressively taken steps to keep true to that ideal.

)
22 West Magazine

Written by

For students, by students.

22 West Magazine

A publication for the students, by the students. Since its inception, the vision of this publication has been to be "the students' newspaper." With each new staff and in this new iteration, 22 West Magazine has progressively taken steps to keep true to that ideal.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade