Come November, warm sunny days are few and far between in the Pacific Northwest. The loud upbeat songs that were the soundtrack to my summer now feel like the flimsy tank tops, pushed to the back of my closet with no intention of seeing the sun until next July. What once made me feel invincible underneath the cover of the sun are now just remnants of summer festival’s past. Now as we bring out the fleece and wool socks, let’s reminisce about the summer of 2010. I present to you: 5 take-you-back-to that one moment songs of the summer.
1. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective.
Although Merriweather Post Pavilion was released in January 2009, the distorted melodies along with the simple and sweet lyrics such as “I want to walk around with you” make it a favorite to my “Top 25 Played” come the warmer months. Made up of a catchy beat and lyrics that rely more on imagery and blending words to recapture specific moments is what makes this song completely reminiscent of humid summer nights in the city.
2. When I’m With You by Best Coast.
The ultimate beach bum accessory comes in the form of a 12-track (+1 bonus) album, namely Crazy For You, released in July. It’s a fusion of lo-fi surf-rock with Bethany Cosentino’s distorted vocals telling the listener of simple, straightforward heartbreak (which she was criticized for). When I’m With You was released as a bonus track, but is no less endearing than the rest of the album. The lyrics (“The world is lazy/but you and me/We’re just crazy”) and the chorus (“When I’m with you, I have fun”) may be repetitive and less than genius, but the album’s feel is solely meant for days cruising with the top down (in my imaginary convertible, of course) or just lazy days with a special someone.
3. Apologetic Shoulderblades by Baths
The list would not be complete without at least one song from classically trained pianist Will Wiesenfeld’s new one-man project Baths, a mix of organic glitch-hop beats and sentimental lyrics. Cerulean, released in June is the common ground between electronica, hip-hop, and lyrics that conveys the feelings of a hopeless romantic (“I love you enough to drive like an hour from wherever I am to be with you”). While the vocals were a nice complementary addition to the songs, the instrumental beats in “Apologetic Shoulderblades” make it a standout from the album. The album has been a favorite to listen to on any occasion with each song varying in style.
4. Enter the Ninja by Die Antwoord
The bizarre music video for Enter the Ninja put the South African hip-hop group on the radar. Self-described as rap-rave, Die Antwoord (“the answer” in Afrikaans) has become a hit among not only Nova kids, but all over the world. Members Ninja, Yo-Landi Vi$$er and DJ Hi-Tek incorporate Zef (“the ultimate style”, South African slang) elements into their music and performances. Released in 2009 as a free download, $O$ has become somewhat of an Internet meme. Intricate and often nasty lyrics that are spit out at lightning-speed in Afrikaans leave you wondering, “Wait, what exactly is a Tokaloshi?!” (Which turns out to be a little hairy African demon man with a horse penis, as stated in the lyrics section of their website.) Opinions differ on the group questioning its authenticity. Last month I had a chance to witness Die Antwoord perform in the flesh at Sonic Boom Records, and I assure you whether or not the group is “real”, they sure put on a show.
5. Crown on the Ground by Sleigh Bells
This is not a song to be listened to in low decibels. This is a song that you play at full volume whether alone in your bedroom or in a car stuffed with people with the windows rolled down. The noise pop duo from Brooklyn featuring Derek E. Miller and Alexis Krauss know how to make an album essential for summer days where the temperature is high and the clothing is sparse. Listening to any song off their album Treats past September almost hurts, because it’s too reminiscent of careless days spent doing nothing. It’s an extreme contrast in memories listening to Crown on the Ground when you’re stuck watching the rain outside and doing your math homework. It’s definitely not an album for listening year-round, but I look forward to blasting this once the sun comes out again.
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