My music taste is fairly obscure. Every once in a while, one of my favorite songs will be played on the radio, but usually, most people have never heard of my music.
As summer comes to an end, I've found myself listening to my favorite songs from this summer over and over. Over the course of this summer, I made playlists for road-tripping to the beach, for lying on a towel on the beach, and for accompanying me with my writing.
Here are 10 songs to listen to before the fall semester arrives:
1. “Move” by Kid Runner
This is a happy-go-lucky song that always puts me in a good mood. Since it has a steady beat and a catchy electronic riff, it’s perfect for either chilling out or workout out. And, of course, lying on the beach.
2. "Deep" by Northern WhaleTo me, this song has a sound similar to the band Bad Suns. It has a more buoyant beat, however, and features horns and a catchy chorus. It’s a perfect song to jam to with the windows down.
3. "As Time Goes" by JR JR“
As Time Goes” features a sound similar to “Deep.” As a senior college student with dwindling time, it has relatable lyrics that focus on time and change.
The lyrics are catchy and upbeat, making it a perfect summer song.4. "All We Ever Knew" by The Head and the Heart
Unlike the other songs on this list, “All We Ever Knew” has gotten plenty of radio play, and for good reason. The Head and the Heart returns with their recognizable indie sound. Everything in this song is balanced, from the lyrics, the “la la la la la” riff, and the layers of instruments.
5. "If You Wanna Stay" by The Griswolds
This song is pure fun and is always on my road trip playlist. Since the lyrics are repetitive and catchy, this is the ideal sing-along song, either with your significant other or by yourself if you’re missing someone. Regardless, it’s enjoyable to jam out to.
6. "After All I've Done" by John Mark NelsonCompared to the other songs on this list, “After All I’ve Done” is the chilliest. It has a singer-songwriter vibe with Nelson’s smooth voice paired with piano chords. The song has relatable lyrics that focus on regret and forgiveness.
7. "Inside Your Mind" by Gypsy & The CatAnother chill song, “Inside Your Mind” is a song made to motivate me in my writing. It features a near-mesmerizing mix of sounds that makes it ideal to be played in the background on a summer day.
8. "Watercolors" by machineheartThis has a different sound than the other songs on this list. In fact, it doesn’t sound like a song that I usually like. However, it has a good-vibes summer sound coupled with lyrics that mention water, so I enjoyed listening to it while lying on the beach or next to the pool.
9. "Hit The Water" by Night LightsDon’t let the slow tempo in the beginning fool you; “Hit The Water” has plenty of tempo changes. All good things mix together in this song. It has a smooth ballad, catchy chorus, an almost emo undercurrent, and a Coldplay-esque guitar.
10. "Arrows" by Army & The Engine“Arrows” has an early 2000s vibe, complete with an electric guitar and a key change at the end. The lyrics concentrate on an extended metaphor about Cupid, arrows, and being hurt by love. Again, this isn’t a song that I would typically listen to, but something about the early 2000s vibe drew me in. It’s an excellent, nostalgic song to end the summer.
Listening tip: Since these are fairly obscure, I listen to them on Spotify.
