Summer Series: Tommy's Weekly Playlist
By Tommy Rodriguez
The Summer of 2020 is upon us...and the coronavirus has ensured that there’s no one to share it with. 2020 may be the year of the Solitary Summer, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for making lifelong memories. All it takes is a little hope, some creativity, and some good music.
My job this Summer is to be your DJ, and recommend the three best songs for the season every week. From old to new, these songs can be the soundtrack to your break from school, from the outside world, or even a moment’s rest from work. Here’s to a future as bright as the sun!
Anderson Paak (feat. Brandy) - Jet Black
Anderson Paak is more than just a smooth voice and a suave artist: he embodies positivity and peace. “Jet Black” embodies this in almost every single way: Paak’s soft-spoken vocals evoke a lazy day at the beach, complemented by keys and a wonderful bassline that shimmer like water underneath a setting sun. Brandy’s contributions turn the song from a straightforward R&B jam into something timeless. “Feels like someone’s lifting me” she croons. Whether its Paak’s charisma or the beautiful instrumental, this one is sure to lift your spirits by the pool or by the ocean.
Sara Bareilles - Love Song
A 2000s pop rock throwback that’s worth a revisit, “Love Song” is surprisingly infectious and danceable despite its tongue-in-cheek attitude. Bareilles’s piano playing and drum groove are simple, but they work as well together as peanut butter and jelly. The whole lyrical mantra of the song, refusing to write a love song for an uncaring partner, is going to be relatable for many. It will no doubt be the soundtrack to many digital relationships over the break as we try to move to the horrifying arena of online dating. Couple a cheeky topic with one of the most memorable hooks of the 2000s, and you will have a surefire way to lighten the mood.
Khalid and Swae Lee: “The Ways”
Of all the songs to come from the Black Panther Soundtrack, this one should have been a hit. Less of a hip-hop banger and more of a pop ballad, “The Ways” finds beauty in simplicity. Khalid’s emotive singing over the bubbly tones and trap percussion makes for a beautiful combination on the song’s hook and verses. Swae Lee shines over this kind of percussion, allowing his birdlike voice to soar as a prominent feature on the back end. The song thrives on longing and passion, while the beat inspires the kind of dancing you could find on an intimate night with a loved one. While it wasn’t a single from the album, I have a feeling deep down that listeners can see it could’ve been a hit.