Summer Series Part 4: Tommy's Weekly Playlist
By Tommy Rodriguez
For the fourth part of the Heart Eye Magazine Summer Series, I took a look at a few essential summer songs and added them to our ever-growing Summer Playlist... I hope you enjoy!
Check out part one, part two , and part three of the series, too!
Thundercat – Dragonball Durag
Thundercat effortlessly meshes the quirkiness and suaveness of being an anime-loving bassist. His track, “Dragonball Durag,” has less to do with the titular anime, but more to do with comfortably flexing your oddities to a romantic partner. The bass here is syrupy and groovy, with the subtle drums and shiny keys getting the body moving in an almost hypnotic rhythm. If you’re trying to introduce some anime to a loved one (or just show them some good music), this song is essential.
HAIM – The Steps
HAIM are the queens of musical multitasking. On “The Steps” they tackle pop, country, and alternative in an undeniably catchy tune that reflects the stillness of walking outside in the summer heat. The twangy acoustics, shrill guitar chords, and middle-ranged vocals provide an incredibly mesmerizing mix of sounds that are lighthearted and fun without sacrificing depth. Their new album is great, and this track in particular is a summer highlight for any fan of genre-bending tunes.
Prince – Kiss
Prince is a legend. His vocal range was insane, his production even more insane, and his legacy unbelievably potent years later. “Kiss” is one of his most iconic tunes, reflective of the danceable pop he mastered in his prime. The synths here are a delicious seasoning atop a buffet of drums and guitar fiddling. What’s going to really keep you drawn in, however, is Prince himself. This song is one of the catchiest he ever recorded, with his high-pitched vocals acting as a siren call for you to put the song on replay.
Teyana Taylor (feat. Lauryn Hill) – We Got Love
“We Got Love” is one of the best singles to come out of G.O.O.D. Music in a while, and there’s a multitude of reasons for it. The drum-heavy beat is infectious, Lauryn Hill’s monologue is as gripping and warm as a bear hug, and the use of strings adds a sense of cinematic tension that you could only find in an old-fashioned romance. Teyana Taylor’s choices here reflect the positive aspects of love, all while her beautiful vocals and the catchy chorus stick with you for days on end.
A-Punk – Vampire Weekend
Despite their band name more resembling a Halloween side project than an indie powerhouse, Vampire Weekend has made a lot of baroque pop and alt-rock tracks that reflect the more whimsical vibes of summer. “A-Punk,” for example, is airy and loose, almost similar to doo-wop in its progression and danceable grooves. It’s definitely a summer song with a “Sunday” feel, perfect for when you want to relax or maybe clean the house (with a possible dance session in the middle when the “ay ay ay” comes along in the sticky chorus).
Ms. Fat Booty – Mos Def
Don’t let Mos Def’s (now Yasiin Bey’s) lyrical reputation scare you away—the man can rap his ass off, has excellent instrumental choices, and has more energy than almost any other trapper today. “Ms. Fat Booty” is all about storytelling, as Mos Def weaves a funny tale about the titular cutie with a booty throughout the track. Combine his smooth flow and funny punchlines with one of the best sample-flips and drumbeats in hip-hop history, and you have a song that can be loved by damn near anyone. Don’t like hip-hop? Try this song out, you may be surprised how much it’ll pick up your summer.