Just Jaded
Summer Mixtape
By Kelly Carciente
Summer is upon us. If you’re anything like me and grew up wrapped in layers for 6 months in the brutal winters, you would know that summer is always the final saving grace for us all. It is easy for me to say that I don’t enjoy the summer heat and move on after this article; however, I have joy in so many of the little intricacies of the season. Colour is brought back to the world with bright blue skies and wildflowers sprouting in the green grass, the fresh air is crisp, the sun illuminates the world, and everyone’s overall mood is always much more uplifted.
Being acquainted with every season in all their respects, I also cannot help but allow myself to be enthralled by all sorts of sensations I relate with such seasons, and what better way than to navigate one’s experiences than with music? Let me guide you on developing the perfect summer mixtape, from sensations, emotions, instruments, and more.
Whether summer is your favourite season or you have a burning hatred for it, nothing will beat hearing upbeat, fun music that makes you feel ecstatic and on top of the world. The right instruments, production, vocal arrangements, and more develop the perfect atmospheres that can push you to turn up your car radio when driving down the highway with the windows down, not a care in the world. I have come to realize an overall theme in some of my favourite songs that elicit such bright, vivid sensations. Arguably, there are certain electric guitar phasers, funky bass lines and synthesizers that are the general mould musicians and bands use to exude such a feeling. If you’re into anything indie, indie pop, indie rock, alternative pop, etc., you are very familiar with what I described above. So, who should be on your radar?
The Driver Era - The band comprised of brothers Ross & Rocky Lynch never fail to release alternative indie pop music that elicit the sensations of the sand between your toes, salt water air, and the sound of the crashing waves. Their 2022 album Summer Mixtape, including songs like “Malibu” and “Back To You” offer trippy electric guitars with fun beats you cannot help but feel transported to the beach. Their previous albums also deliver on more alternative pop with songs like “Heaven Angel,” “Places,” and “Take Me Away.”
The Wombats - For years, the English alternative indie rock band has been delivering distinct electric guitars that immerse you in all the bright colours of summer. If you’re looking for alternatives to bands like The 1975, The Wombats are for you. You may recognize their name for their 2015 hit “Greek Tragedy,” but let me put you onto some more of their songs. From the same album, “Pink Lemonade,” and more recent projects, such as “Turn,” “Is This What It Feels Like To Feel Like This,” and “Wildfire”. Thank me later.
Bleach Lab - The band, still relatively finding their footing and releasing singles since 2019, have polished their sound with their 2022 EP including indie pop songs like “Obviously,” “I Could Be Your Safe Place,” and most recent releases “All Night” and “Indigo”.
Inhaler - The Irish indie rock band have recently come off the high of their sophomore album’s, Cuts & Bruises, release with notable songs like “Just To Keep You Satisfied,” and “Valentine”. Their debut album, It Won’t Always Be Like This, rightfully jumpstarted their success with incredible hits like “My Honest Face,” and “When It Breaks”. Ultimately, if one song of their speaks to you, chances are they have ten more songs that can satisfy you.
Vacation Manor - I am always looking for the next best thing in indie pop/rock music and if you want to latch onto the perfect chill music, the band’s self-titled sophomore album delivers just that. I would be lying if I said I think their song “Apt. 4” won’t be in my top 5 songs on my Spotify Wrapped this year. Other songs worth checking out are “Can’t Run Forever,” and their biggest hit “A Toast and a Spirit”.
Del Water Gap - A solo artist who uses his skills in songwriting and production delivers the quintessential indie boy vocal fry, but shines in his 2021 self-titled debut album. Notable bops consist of: “Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat,” “Better That I Know Myself” and “Hurting Kind.
mxmtoon - Her career blossomed through her presence on YouTube with an emphasis on acoustic ukulele songs, but now she is taking bedroom pop by storm with 2020 EP dawn with songs like “fever dream,” and “quiet motions” setting the tone for her successful sophomore album rising, with hits like “victim of nostalgia,” “coming of age,” and “mona lisa”. Her dreamy, nostalgic and uplifting twist on music is perfect for a happy summer day.
5 Seconds of Summer - With a band name like that, how could I not include them? The Australian pop-rock band’s decade in music has birthed an eclectic range in sounds and genres, but the sandy desert and pale-blue skies could not be more encapsulated in their fifth studio album 5SOS5 (thank you Joshua Tree). Notable songs from this album are: “CAROUSEL,” the sensation of driving through a bridge surrounded by lights at night; “You Don’t Go To Parties,” a drum beat curated for dancing, and “Bad Omens,” a bright, high-speed song for driving in the wind (If you have not listened to any 5SOS while driving, you are missing out).
Wolf Alice - With three albums under their belt, this English band is delivering a range of alternative indie rock music that I can only describe as perfect for a nighttime adrenaline high. Known for their 2017 single “Don’t Delete The Kisses,” and 2013 song “Bros,” they have truly outdone themselves in their 2021 third album Blue Weekend. That electric feeling of driving in the city at night is exuded from the sensations displayed in many of the album’s songs, but I want to point your attention to “Delicious Things,” “How Can I Make it Ok?” and “Feeling Myself”.
Whoa, okay. Those were a lot of song recommendations in a short period of time. Luckily, you can find a whole collection of these listed songs along with dozens of other songs perfect for your blasting poolside or in your car. You can check out my Summer Mixtape on the Jaded Spotify!
