7 Things To Listen To This Summer Because It’s Too Dang Nice Out To Stare At A Screen
Congratulations, America! We made it through the giant slush puddle that is winter, and we’re turning the corner into beaches, barbecue and beer.
If you’re like us, you spent the cold season huddled under a blanket scrolling through Netflix. But now that it’s actually nice out, don’t get sucked into the screen—check out these music, live sports and podcast picks that let you push play and hit the outdoors.
1. Music that will make you feel like you’re one of those super rich ’80s guys dressed in all white aboard his yacht
So, like, what is sailing music? Think The Eagles, The Commodores, Hall & Oates: anything with a smooth groove and just a hint of feeling. Cynics will call it dentist office music; we choose to call it the perfect easy listening soundtrack. Just kick back with a white wine spritzer and tell your captain to sail it home, Jeeves.
2. Live baseball, which is the most relaxing thing in the whole entire world
Have you ever tried listening to play-by-play baseball? It’s like audio Ativan: The slow, dulcet tones of the announcer saying, “Pop fly to right, and McCutchen is there.” The relaxed commute of the innings. Those peaceful natural silences in between pitches. Ditch the TV while the weather’s nice and take TuneIn—and your favorite MLB team—with you to the grill, the freeway or the lakehouse. Can’t you practically feel the warm evening stadium air and taste the crisp bubbles of beer? Ahhhhh. Listen live here.
3. A podcast that will keep you company on long road trips
Karen and Georgia have built a cult following by discussing their favorite tales of murder. With more than 120 episodes and 72 “minisodes” to date, there’s more than enough Karen and Georgia to remind you to “Stay sexy, don’t get murdered” through all of your road trips.
4. Or long… expeditions?
Or, if murder isn’t your thing, check out Gimlet’s new podcast, The Habitat, to keep you entertained whether you’re making a day trip to the beach or traveling to Mars. The seven-episode series investigates the yearlong experiment that secluded six volunteers in an imitation Mars habitat, and it’s so good that you’ll want to extend your road trip to finish it.
5. A sleek soundtrack for doing cannonballs (or just sipping mojitos in a chaise lounge)
There’s no “Kokomo” or Jimmy Buffett here (although there’s a station for that, too.) Rather, this so-hot-it’s-cool destination for streaming ambient and electronic music will keep you zen by the pool even if your kids won’t stop splashing you with water. Push play and chill out.
6. A news brief that won’t give you stress hives
It’s summer, which means you’ll (hopefully) be spending more time on the beach drinking rosé and less time scrolling through Twitter. To make sure you’re up-to-date with the latest headlines, look no further than BuzzFeed’s daily news podcast. Each episode covers three stories and is less than five minutes long — perfect for catching up on the news in between bites of a Chipwich.
7. And finally, a BBQ podcast to help you stay chill while you grill
Summer is the time to cover everything in grill marks: a nice ribeye, fresh corn on the cob, some firm tofu. (Please don’t @ us.) On Memphis-based The Rub, hosts Jimmy Shotwell and Forrest Goodman tackle meaty (heh) topics like “Can you grill the perfect steak?” and “Why is Guy Fieri in the BBQ Hall of Fame?” Crank it loud, strap on your favorite punny apron and cook our burger medium, please.
by Meghan Crowther and Jessica Misener
