A soundtrack for your summer. Illustration by Sarah Faulkner
Jared Chesnut – Staff Writer
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Summer: The sun is shining bright, humidity is in the top ten percentile, and the frost trolls have skulked away to their system of tunnels under Olympus Mons. Now is as good a time as any to let the top down, pour up a few Arnold Palmers and put some records on. We here at UAB’s radio show Red Planet put together a summer playlist. We felt like it’d be best to just chill a little, be cool and bestow some tunes that’ll be the SPF 50 you’ve been looking for.
1. Radiohead – “Burn the Witch”
Dropping in out of nowhere like ninety degree temperatures, Thom Yorke and company’s “A Moon Shaped Pool” is a breath of fresh air after previous album “The King of Limbs,” and the opening track “Burn the Witch” features a plethora of strings, a “Wicker Man” evocative stop-motion video, and a spirit that feels ripped out of “OK Computer” for a bit of an epic kickoff.
2. El Guincho – “Comix (feat. Mala Rodriguez)”
An electro artist from Spain that’s specialized in quirky, unconventional beats for the past decade (dig up 2008’s Alegranza!), “Chef P” cooks up some hip hop infused cuisine in this track from his April release “Hiperasia.” Might be Iberia’s hippest export since Messi-Neymar-Suarez.
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Dark Necessities”
Anthony Kiedis’s recent health issues and statements that “rock n’ roll is dead” stand as grim reminders that California’s favorite sons aren’t getting any younger, but if their newest single is any sign, we’re getting a band that is veering away from their rut of typical love songs to the West Coast in favor of more personal and deeper subjects. Flea’s unmistakable bass tones, Will Ferrell’s evil twin Chad Smith keeping time on the skins and Josh Klinghoffer serving as a solid replacement for John Frusciante on guitar immediately throw the song back into familiar territory.
4. Magic Sword – “Legend of the Keeper”
Pulled from the waning days of April, this is a heroic epic told by white knuckle drums, majestic guitar solos and synths. By the end of the song you’ll feel like dropping the top on that Trans Am, throwing your Ray Bans on, and taking over the night like it’s 1985.
5. Bear Hands – “2AM”
Fresh off of playing Hangout Fest, Brooklyn’s Bear Hands bestows upon us this vibey affair that combines elements of MGMT and The Bravery for something that is equally at home at that low-key beach party as it is the drive to work down 280.
6. Chance the Rapper – “Summer Friends (feat. Jeremih)”
In between repping the only Chicago baseball team that’s won anything lately, Chance dropped a serious contender for top mixtape for the season, if not 2016, “Coloring Book,” and this R&B heavy track is the epitome of chill. Kick back, throw some cans on and vibe out.
7. Alabama Shakes – “Gimme All Your Love”
This track from 2015’s “Sound & Color” is just too good to pass up. Brittany Howard’s powerful, soulful delivery and that sick guitar riff to close out the song make for a sharp drill that’ll pierce the heavens, or at the very least cut through the humid Alabama afternoons.
8. Massive Attack – “Voodoo in my Blood (feat. Young Fathers)”
We played this for Red Planet Radio when it first released in March, and our stance hasn’t changed: it’s a return to form for the British trip-hop group after 2010’s lackluster “Heligoland.” A raw, almost primal beat and bars from Scottish trio Young Fathers stand in sharp contrast against Robert Del Naja’s synths, yet form a union that hits at the baser parts of your id and commands you to swivel your hips and toss yourself around the room.
9. The Strokes – “OBLIVIUS”
Julian Casablancas just threw this one out there right as our submission deadline hit and it’s not too unlike a Steph Curry bomb from half-court at the buzzer: Powerful, attention grabbing, yet appearing so effortless in execution. Nick Valensi’s guitar is the Draymond Green that makes the whole track work.
10. Don Henley – “The Boys of Summer”
Yeah, this may be a bit on the nose and overdone, but the Eagles lead singer was arguably at his best in his run as a solo artist, and this 1984 hit has stood the test of time more so than the handful of covers that have been put out in the decades since.
There you go, 10 tracks that will fit any vacation plans or summer getaways.
Feel like there’s something we missed? Hit us up @blazeradio or @UABkscope and help us stay fresh!
