Summer is finally here (kind of) and there's nothing better than basking in all that sunshine,
beer in hand (cider if you're hungover),
snags sizzling on the barbie and lazing out (or jumping around
pinching people with BBQ tongs) to some sweet sweet tunes.
So we got together here in the office and came up with out personal top 10 summer sizzlers.
Once again,
we have VERY different tastes it would seem.
Leave your top 10's in the comments!
Reegan - Radar Announcer / Shape-shifter / Rissole Sandwich Connoisseur
Black Kids - Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo)
This takes me back to the Big Day Out in 2009. Me and my friend Ash were the biggest Black Kids fan and I think were the only ones of our friends to lose.our.shit. over these guys. Every time I hear this song it reminds me of how I would love to go back to that day except without it being a million degrees.
Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run
He’s the boss for a reason. ‘Cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run.’
What a line. I think I love the video to this song as much as I love the actual song. It makes me want to be friends with him. It also has a wicked saxophone break in it (just like you hear these days with Cut Copy, M83, Lady Gaga)
Foster the People – Color on the Walls (Don’t Stop)
The secret gem from the album. Its track four, so once you get past Pumped up Kicks, Helena Beat and Call it What You Want, this one pops out. It actually goes in order of strength of songs too. None of this XXXX rubbish going with the obvious choice of song, I’m kicking it summer 2013 style.
Friendly Fires – Skeleton Boy
Picking one song from FF is tres hard to do. They have a definite summer vibe BUT I do remember seeing this song for the first time on Rage and thinking ooohhhhhh shit, what an absolute tune. They still to this day, remain one of my favourite live bands and being summer, I get drunk and dance like Ed.
Klaxons – It’s Not Over Yet
Probably the most intense song of my ten but far out man, this is a great summer song. I would put this on when it was starting to wrap up at my place and we were getting ready to go out. FYI – this list has been so hard to do but it’s taking me back to very good places.
Andre 3000 – Prototype
From The Love Below, this song was released as a single (I think, I deffs remember the video) but I know I found it on the album. It’s one of those songs you can have on while you’re having a barbie and no one will whinge. Such an easy song to listen to.
Cut Copy – Time Stands Still
How could I pick just one song from Cut Copy?
Scrap that, how could I pick just one song from Bright Like Neon Love.
My love affair with Cut Copy and I can honestly, with my hand on my heart say that these guys are one of the best artists to put on whilst in the sun.
Metronomy – The Bay
Another awesome song to put on whilst chillin’ like a villain. They’re an awesome band and I was gonna rock something a bit older but thought I should totes probs throw something new in.
Mystery Jets – Young Love
I have a very unfortunate story to tell you about this band BUT not on here, you’ll have to ask me in real life one day. These guys played Falls Festival in 2008 and this song reminds me of not only sitting on the big ass hill but also the epic road trip there where we still actually liked one another.
Strange Talk – Climbing Walls
Maybe the newest old song on my list. I know that doesn’t make sense, even Microsoft Word told me it was Fragment (consider revising) but it’s a really old song used on a Kitsune ad ages ago but only released in 2011. My friend Hayley tells me I only ever likes songs with guys that sing in a high voice (she’s probably right but I don’t care). This song SCREAMS summer.
Olivia - Radar Music Director / Stereosonic raver
Masters At Work feat. India
- To Be In Love
One more my all time fav tunes. I’m a sucker for a great baseline and sweet vocals. this hits all the right boxes for me, there isn’t a better tune to pump while driving to the beach or relaxing on a Sunday arvo.
Avicii - Fade Into Darkness
What a tune! It’s just a happy track.. Special mention here to ‘Seek Bromance’ which is also Avicii under ‘Tim Berg’, another great track and perfect for summer.
Bagraiders - Shooting Stars
The self titled Bagraiders record has been out since 2010, but it’s still killer. My fav and definitely a summer tune from the record is Shooting Stars. The start gets me bopping every time.
Friendly Fires – Pala
Record
So for me, the best track is Blue Cassette.. but imagine going for a long drive or sitting on a beach on a gorgeous day and having this entire record playing in the background. Just Lovely.
Salome’ Da Bahia – Outro
Lugar
Cada Vez – Negrocan
Pasilda – Afro Medusa
This totally takes me to a beautiful beach somewhere in the world where you’re just relaxing and a DJ is spinning some amazing Latino House tracks. These 3 songs go hand in hand – they mix into each other perfectly.
Flight Facilities – Foreign Language
Another disco inspired tune AND it’s AUSSIE!! Gotta love that. Saw these guys play in Melbs on NYD and they TOTALLY ripped it up. This track and ‘Crave You’ have been on high rotation in my car over summer.
Morgan Page - In The Air
This just recently got added to the Radar playlist and I can’t seem to get enough of it. Was always a big fan of ‘The Longest Road’ and that was always going to hard to follow up on.. but he’s done v well. For maximum impact/pleasure – play loud.
360 (feat Pez.) - Just Got Started
This one’s a bit different to the rest – it’s more of a cool groove. Last week I popped the 360 record back on and remembered just how good it is. This has an awesome baseline, love it.
Zoe - Radar Digital Producer / recovering hipster
Miami Horror – Holidays
The hooky guitar riff in this track just makes me imagine beach drives with elbows hanging out the window and staring for an inappropriately long time at shirtless guys walking by. The onset of summer also makes me think of holiday romances and potential party pashes haha and the video for this track is about just that... if you're into guys who look like Dr. Zyborg from Futurama.
Broken Social Scene – Shoreline
Broken Social Scene has to be one of my favourite bands of all time and this song just reminds me of running down to Bondi beach before I got "cool" & moved to the inner west (hipster alert!). The last time they were out here, I was chatting to some guy in the alley outside after the gig and the band drove past in their van and asked what we thought of the show. In response, I took it upon myself to dive through the window and plant a wet one on front man Kevin Drew… in a non-groupie way of course.
Passion Pit – The Reeling
Summer evokes a sense of escapism somehow... Tearing off layers (of clothes and moral fibre), running & diving into the ocean or onto the dance floor. This sounds like explosions of colour and life – and breaking free.
The Radio Dept. – Heaven’s on Fire
I got into the radio department sailing in Croatia one year and this track (although it wasn’t out then) always takes me back to rolling seas & lazing on the bow with my discman (it had X bass too I'm pretty sure). Lo-fi = summer in my book.
Real Estate - It’s Real
Real Estate’s
Days is one of my fave albums of last year. The sound of the acoustic chords in this track just wrap around you like warm toast. Plus if you listen to the lyrics it sounds like confessions of love… by someone who is in so deep they can’t tell if the other person is too. Ah summer love...
Joe Goddard feat. Valentina – Gabriel
This track only came out just last year on DFA records and it’s by one half of Hot Chip; Joe Goddard. WHAT A TUNE! If your body doesn’t instantly start jolting to this you may not be human. Did I mention summer is all about partying? The amount of times I've used "it's the silly season" as an excuse to get boozed mid week is getting out of hand...
Seabellies – Young Cubs
This is a killer track by a highly underrated band from Newcastle, the Seabellies (also my mates but I’m not biased I swear). This song just manages to encapsulate youth in all its glorious mess and freedom with its thumping beat and rollicking chords. Make sure you also check out their
Trans Ending video, such a cool idea & shot on a nothing budget. My friend Johnny also stars, very cute ladies... one for you.
Miike Snow – Cult Logic
I remember at Splendour 2010 (yes I know it was winter but it was bloody hot!) piss bolting to get to Miike Snow’s set and they started playing this – I was running so hard – I literally launched myself onto some unsuspecting punters (sorry green singlet dude). What a summer festival gee-up track.
The Holidays – 2 Days
This song opens with that riff and I am already at a backyard party or dancing drunkenly on the grass at a festival in my head. Their whole album
Post Paradise I call tropical pop or tropi-pop – you heard it hear first.
Oscar + Martin – Recognise
Another Aussie track (well we do know Summer) by a rad Melbourne duo Oscar + Martin. That fat static-y bass line & cute little sprinkles of oooh’s give this track so much warmth. I've seen these guys live 3 times and they never fail to get you doing weird turkey-neckin head bops on the dance floor.