This assortment of songs remind me of summer and the weeks leading up to summer. I put these songs together because I wanted to capture the warmer, freer, more exciting days ahead. Some songs remind me of a luxurious summer nap with the windows open, and others sound like a techno beach-side dance club.
- Justin Bieber, Daniel Caesar and Giveon: Peaches
This song brings me right back to my high school senior spring. A lot was still closed down because of the pandemic, but whenever the weather hit 60 degrees I would head to the beach after school. Plus, Giveon’s verse in this song really scratches my brain in the right way.
- Luke Combs: Hurricane
This song reminds me of a summer west-coast road trip. It evokes the mountains, canyons, and plains my eyes traversed on my road trips in Utah, Wyoming and Arizona and the excitement I felt.
- Alex LeMirage: Kratos (A Little Closer)
This song is trancey and hypnotic — in part because it is monotonous — but not in a bad way. It’s like a summer night spent at a house party with friends. You talk and dance all night and never fall asleep.
- One Republic: I Ain’t Worried
When I listen to this song, I immediately think of Top Gun. It instills this patriotism inside me — like barbecues and the 4th of July.
- The Outfield: Your Love
This song is like driving to the beach with the top down. It’s warm and free — like the salty air rushing into the car.
- OMI: Cheerleader
This song mainly holds nostalgic value for me. I remember hearing it as a kid blasting from speakers all throughout the summer. It’s forever a part of summer for me — like an Italian ice at the pool.
- DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Quavo: No Brainer
This song is just a low key, slower-moving, good vibes beat. It has a pool-side kind of presence.
- SAINt JHN: Selfish
I love this song — mainly because of SAINt JHN’s tortured vocals. “Selfish” is faster paced and has a summer night crush feel for me.
- Sticky Fingers: How to Fly
This song would accompany a deep nap. It is beachy, boozy and tropical, like a mango slushy.
- Rüfüs Du Sol: Innerbloom
This song is a slow-burn. It is sleepy and dreamy like a lot of Rufus Du Sol’s songs. It reminds me of swinging on a hammock on a low-key beach vacation, or sauntering on sand.
- KIKKR, IDEH, Lushington Remix: You’re Makin’ Me High
This song is just really exciting and lilting. It evokes the giddiness of summer nights and wide-open, airy days.
Lena Thakor is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at [email protected].
‘Solar Flare’ is a weekly playlist column where Sun contributors spotlight a slice of musical taste with the campus community. It runs every Monday.