I don’t know about you guys, but whenever I think of summer, the first thought that comes into mind is MUSIC. Okay… maybe that is always my first thought regardless of what season it is… But for real, what is a good summer without music? Especially NEW music. So far, the Summer of 2018 has been looking really good for music with new releases from artists like State Champs to Panic! At the Disco to The 1975 and there is only MORE to come. Are you guys just as overwhelmed as me?
In honor of the official start of summer and new music releases, here are my personal Top 10 Songs for the Summer of 2018:
1.) “Criminal” by State Champs
For anyone who knows me personally, picking a State Champs’ song was probably a no brainer. In fact, their newest album, Living Proof, is probably the album of the summer for me. Therefore, it was really difficult to narrow it down to one song for this specific list. I felt like I had to go with the one that smacked me in the face right away the second the album started playing when I listened to it in my car for the first time. That song was, “Criminal.” The drive behind it automatically makes it the IDEAL summer jam. Whether you’re driving alongside of the beach, or speeding down a highway… This song is perfect for any car ride this summer. Simply a MUST HAVE on my summer playlist.
2.) “Satellite” by Mayday Parade
Okay… So maybe this WAS NOT the new Mayday Parade song you thought you would see on my Summer of 2018 MUSTS. But here I am proving you all wrong. If you have not heard, “Satellite,” off of Mayday Parade’s new album, Sunnyland, you need to stop everything you are doing and go listen to it RIGHT NOW. Not only is it my personal favorite off of, Sunnyland, but it is a total JAM. That’s right, not a bop… A JAM. At first I was intrigued just by the opening of the song itself because it was more different than any other Mayday Parade song I had ever heard. Then I heard Derek’s voice and the sweet vocal effects and just the overall vibe of the song, as well as the power behind it all, it landed its place in my heart as one of my new favorite Mayday Parade songs. Honestly, I will be very surprised if this isn’t one of their next singles in the next few months. YES. THAT GOOD. It sets the perfect vibe for watching the sunset on the beach this summer. Just listen and you will totally understand.
3.) “Moving Along” by 5 Seconds of Summer
To be honest, I just recently became a fan of 5 Seconds of Summer. I know, I know… I am late to the party, but it was really their new album, Youngblood, that finally turned me on to them. In fact, I am IN LOVE with their album and I love every song off of it, which made it difficult to pick just one for this list. However, I wound up narrowing it down to, “Moving Along.” Another favorite of mine is, “Talk Fast,” but I definitely think there is a future for, “Moving Along.” There is just something special about it and it is catchy as hell. The hook reels you in right from the start and it will keep you listening to the song on repeat for days… Maybe even a week… or weeks… You get it… Anyways, overall the whole entire, Youngblood, album is truly an ideal summer album (right next to State Champs’ Living Proof of course). I recommend adding the whole entire thing to your summer playlist, it won’t disappoint.
4.) “Give Yourself A Try” by The 1975
After much waiting and anticipation, The 1975 finally did it and released a brand new single titled, “Give Yourself A Try.” Not only did they drop a new single at the beginning of June, but they also announced that they releasing not one, BUT TWO new albums this year. Talk about hitting their fans with a curveball. I don’t think anyone expected THAT. Anyways, they released, “Give Yourself A Try,” just in time for the summer. Another great song to listen to with the windows down, as you’re driving alongside the beach. Normally a repetitive guitar riff might drive you insane, but theirs is nothing less than exceptional because let’s face it.. It is The 1975 and they can do whatever the hell they want and we will all still love them.
5.) “Dancing’s Not A Crime” by Panic! At the Disco
Panic! At The Disco recently hit us with a new album on June 22, 2018 titled, Pray For The Wicked. Although the album is full of many bops, I definitely think, “Dancing’s Not A Crime,” takes the cake for Panic! song of the summer (even though I was torn between that song and “Roaring 20s”). Overall, Pray for the Wicked, is a complete feel good and fun album, great for the summertime. “Dancing’s Not A Crime,” just leaves that special taste of fun in your mouth with hooks like:
“Dancing, dancing, dancing’s not a crime
Unless you do it without me”
If you need a song to dance to this summer, or just a song that will make you smile in general, “Dancing’s Not A Crime,” is definitely a go-to on my list. I mean, but doesn’t Panic! At The Disco always make me feel good? YES.
6.) “One Step Ahead” by The Ones You Forgot
Of course, this wouldn’t be a proper summertime song list without my favorite locals on it, including The Ones You Forgot, from my own hometown Brick, New Jersey. With their new EP out, Too Afraid To Say, they won’t be known as locals for long as they finally escape the local music scene and dive into . Narrowing it down to picking only one of their new songs, was also really difficult for me to do because ALL 6 on the EP are SO GOOD. However, I have to admit, “One Step Ahead,” definitely gives off the most summer-vibes out of them all, making it the automatic choice for me. Not to mention, “One Step Ahead,” also make me feel a special kind of motivated this summer, specifically motivated to get rid of the people who do not motivate me. This song is a good reminder to take care of yourself first, always. Honestly, just add all of, Too Afraid To Say, on your summer playlist… DO IT.
7.) “Birthday” by All Time Low
Not gonna lie, this song was a super last minute addition to my summer song list, but, “Birthday,” came out just in time before I could finish writing this blog. It was only released a few days ago, but it is easily made its way into my heart as one of THE songs of the summer for me. All Time Low also recently released another single before this one called, “Everything Is Fine,” but I have to admit that, “Cake,” topped that one by a longshot for me. Between the music itself and the lyrics, All Time Low is back and I am excited to see how they are going to follow up after this release. Everything about it screams summer jam… I mean, Alex Gaskarth literally sings:
“Cardiac attack in the cradle of the summer”
These guys knew what they were doing and they succeeded. “Cake,” is the ultimate summer jam. Just listen to it, it is self-explanatory.
8.) “Almost Forgot” by Against the Current
Against the Current dropped two new singles OUT OF NOWHERE back in the beginning of May and let me tell you, they are both complete MOODS. The other single being titled, “Strangers Again.” Although I personally adore both, I think, “Almost Forgot,” definitely stood out to me more because it sounded very different compared to their older stuff (in the best way possible of course, I actually might even love this Against the Current even more). It was easy for me to get attached to, “Almost Forgot,” and the summer vibes really shine in Chrissy Costanza’s vocal execution and the beats throughout entire the song… One may even refer to these beats alone as a bop all in itself. However, “Almost Forgot,” is more of a nostalgic-feeling summer song to me, definitely another MUST.
9.) “Don’t Stop Now (Acoustic)” by The Maine (off of Less Noise)
If I didn’t include The Maine of this list, it would have just felt wrong. Very recently, they released an album of acoustic versions of two songs off of all of the albums they have released so far. The album is called, Less Noise: A Collection of Songs by a Band Called the Maine and you bet it is precious. I especially was feeling nostalgic when the re-released two songs from my favorite album of theirs titled, Black and White. They chose to re-record, “Don’t Stop Now” and “Saving Grace,” which really warmed my heart and made me smile cheek-to-cheek. I specifically picked, “Don’t Stop Now (Acoustic),” because it reminded me of when, Black and White, originally came out and it was the summer of 2010 ( man I feel old, that was eight years ago). I blasted that album that whole entire summer in 2010, from my room to my parents’ car. I also have a fond memory of seeing them play it live at Six Flags Great Adventure for the first time. It just makes me feel like I am 13 again and it is summertime, as I scream their lyrics back to them on the Six Flags’ bleachers.
10.) “Take You Home” by Cassadee Pope
Just like The Maine, it would have just felt WRONG if I didn’t include my favorite artist in the whole world and her new single on my ‘Top 10 Songs of the Summer 2018’ blog post. Cassadee Pope’s newest single, “Take You Home,” is easily a summertime jam. The overall vibe of the song just proves it alone. I know I talk a lot about car rides and driving with the windows down with most of the songs on this list, but FOR REAL, “Take You Home,” is THAT kind of song (especially when the sun is out and there is not a cloud in the sky). However, I think my favorite thing about this song is the concept behind it (and of course, Cassadee singing it, duh). I like how it isn’t the stereotypical, “take you home,” kind of song. Instead, it is literally about the excitement behind forming a new relationship and wanting them to learn everything about you, as you want to learn everything about them. I feel like the summertime is always a time for new beginnings and this song reminds me of that feeling. An ideal summer song.
Well there you guys have it, my Top 10 Songs for the Summer of 2018! I hope you all enjoyed this blog and give a little listen to the songs I listed! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my blog to receive special email notifications whenever I release new posts and be sure to “like” my Facebook page and “follow” me on Instagram and Twitter!
Thank you for reading and the summer starts with music!
-Kelli ♫
Myze Music 