As we say goodbye to the summer of BRAT by Charli XCX, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Europe dates, and “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter earworming its way into everyone’s mind, we reflect on the soundtrack that defined us the most these past couple of months.
- “Juna” by Clairo was an immediate favorite on her third studio album, Charm. Her voice is soft as ever, and the groovy trumpets are a standout. The whole project has been on our minds since it released in July, and if you have not listened yet, you need to check it out.
- “Aftertaste” by Katie Gavin is the first release by the MUNA band member as a solo artist. Everything from the vocal delivery to the writing to the production solidified itself on our summer playlist. If you like this one, make sure to listen to her album What A Relief when it releases in October.
- “Girl, so confusing” featuring Lorde by Charli XCX and Lorde creates a dialogue between the artists that truly encapsulates their feelings toward each other, what it is like to be in the industry, and most importantly, how confusing it is to be a girl sometimes.
- “I Love You, I’m Sorry” by Gracie Abrams is a more extroverted follow-up to her 2020 track, “I Miss You, I’m Sorry.” We’ve been obsessing over the bridge of this track since it released on her sophomore album, The Secret of Us, in June.
- “Never Need Me” by Rachel Chinouriri released earlier this year as a single from her debut album, What A Devastating Turn of Events. The upbeat track was made to be playing out of a car speaker with the windows down on a cool summer night.
- “Please Please Please” by Sabrina Carpenter was the second single off her chart-topping sixth album, Short n’ Sweet. A slightly country, synth pop track begging her boyfriend to not publicly embarrass her. Every song on the album is fun and shows her humor, and we will be listening to it all year.
- “Supersad” by Suki Waterhouse is one of the lead singles for her sophomore album, Memoir of a Sparklemuffin. It is a pop-rock anthem that belongs on the soundtrack of a 90s coming-of-age film. When you’re stuck in a bed rot, this track is an inspiration to finally get up.
- “Anything” by Griff comes from her debut album, Vertigo, that just released in July. This track captures the intensity of falling for someone so deeply that you would be willing to do whatever it is the person would ask of you and wondering if they knew you felt like that.
- “So American” by Olivia Rodrigo is an infectious pop track that stands out as the first love song in the artist’s discography. It came as part of the deluxe addition of her sophomore album GUTS back in March, and it had us dancing around the streets all summer long.
- “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish is a track about love, whether from a romantic or platonic perspective. Here, she sings about finding her person and wanting to stick together forever. It was the perfect backdrop for every memory made over the summer.