Artists That Are The Soundtrack To Your Summer
☆ BY THE LUNA COLLECTIVE STAFF ☆
As the sun shines brighter and temperatures rise, it's time to celebrate the arrival of summer with music that perfectly captures the essence of the season. From infectious pop anthems to laid-back indie grooves, we’re highlighting a handful of talented artists that have emerged as the architects of the ultimate summer soundtrack.
Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of carefree melodies, uplifting rhythms, and lyrics that speak to the joy and liberation of summertime.
BULLY
What determines a summer sound is different for everyone, but inevitably comes down to the songs that defined the time and place you were in when days started to get hotter and longer. When Bully released her first single "Days Move Slow" off her recently released album Lucky For You, it hit with a finally-kind of immediacy. It was Bully's first release since 2020's critically acclaimed Sugaregg and doesn't bother to fake a smile for an idyllic summer daydream (when was the last time we had one of those?). Lucky For You is influenced most of all by the loss of Alicia Bognanno's dog Mezzi and imprints each track. The album is more robust, going beyond just loss. Bognanno addresses how to move on despite, shows off her creative endurance, and bends towards a full range of emotion. With Lucky For You, Bully delivered a thank-God-she's-back piece of work that will be scream-sung all summer long.
KAYTRAMINÉ
KAYTRAMINÉ is the pleasantly surprising collab between two stars in their field. Since meeting and working together on Soundcloud in 2014, KAYTRANADA and Aminé have occupied the same musical Venn diagram. Nearly a decade later, they return with a wavy 11-track album just in time for summer.
The perfect pair composed a project with well-placed samples, complementary features, and clever yet effortless songwriting. The mosaic of sounds and flows layers together with enough variance to stay compelling and engaging. Singles like “4EVA” and “Rebuke” accompany shoreline views and PCH-cruising while deeper cuts “STFU3” and “Sossaup” parachute their way into bonfire playlists.
Keep your toes out and your tiny umbrellas on deck. There isn’t a better album to play when the only time block on your itinerary is lounging by the pool.
CHAPPELL ROAN
Chappell Roan has come a long, long way from the “Pink Pony Club,” the fictional drag bar around which she centered her first hit in 2020. The track, in many ways, was Roan’s ode to the process of self-liberation – shedding the restrictions and expectations of small-town conservatism in favor of creativity, expression, and sexuality.
That was three years ago, though, and while “Pink Pony Club” remains a frilly, femme, ‘F— you’ to tradition, Roan’s newer work is clearly that of someone who has become entirely secure and liberated. “Naked in Manhattan” and “Red Wine Supernova” are joyful queer anthems that balance ‘sexy’ and ‘silly,’ and “Femininomenon” is a patchwork pop piece with a chorus that demands to be screamed. There is something in all of her music that is earnest, full of possibility – it’s reminiscent of an endless summer night, and whenever I play it, I feel like the world is just a bit warmer.
NIKO RUBIO
The first time I was treated to Niko Rubio’s ebullient performance style and dreamy, soulful tunes, she was opening for psychedelic indie pop group The Marías. It was the dead of winter in Boston, and as I slowly thawed out while watching her bounce across the stage, the thought entered my mind that this artist was meant to shine in the summer sun.
In these warmer days, I can confirm – Rubio’s discography adds a quiet brilliance to any summer playlist. Her debut EP, Wish You Were Here, is a love letter inspired by the muse of the Pacific Coast Highway, and every song somehow contains the boundless joie de vivre of the open road in a tidy pop package. Tracks like “Saving Me,” “Amor,” and “Love Me Till U Hate Me” were meant to blast from open windows as the sunlight streams in, reminding you to appreciate all that the season brings.
PAUL CHERRY
Paul Cherry creates music that embodies the carefree essence of the sun-soaked season. With dreamy pop and groovy indie rock, his melodies transport listeners to a world of warm breezes, endless possibilities, and irresistible dance beats. Let Paul Cherry's music become the soundtrack to your summertime bliss, infusing every moment with a sense of warmth, adventure, and lasting memories.
Maude Latour
This singer-songwriter is surely one to watch. Maude Latour reinvents what pop can be through her music, putting together a series of hits that will have you dancing and singing along at the top of your lungs. Through popular hits like “Cyclone,” “I am not the sun,” and “One More Weekend,” Latour achieves a fun and fresh sound that embodies the perfect soundtrack for making memories - creating some serious ‘must haves’ on your latest summer playlist. Recently releasing her new EP, “Twin Flame,” Latour tackles topics and feelings that most people will find themselves relating to within her music while pairing this earnesty with catchy melodies and silky smooth vocals. Roll the windows down, grab your best friends and go on a ride through Maude Latour’s hypnotic discography.
Claire Rosinkranz
You may remember Claire Rosinkranz’ hit “Backyard Boy” as a popular sound on TikTok in 2020, a breakthrough moment that catapulted her into the spotlight and made her a notable artist to keep on your radar. If anything radiates summer energy - it’s “Backyard Boy.” But that doesn’t mean you should stop there with Rosinkranz’ discography. Each one of her tracks brings a unique energy to the table while still maintaining a signature cohesiveness tied neatly in a bow by her bright vocals and captivating melodies. “Frankenstein” is a personal favorite on a nice sunny day. Nothing will brighten up your mood and morning like a good Claire Rosinkranz track.
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weekly tunes playlist has been updated! new tracks from @furtradeband, @pecqband, @garryfool & more! check it out! https://t.co/ToFU0R6YGo
