It's official. Summer is here. School is out, summer reading has been packed away for the usual end-of-August-panic, and it's just about time for the 4th of July barbecues and gatherings. For the 4th of July barbecues, it's always a good idea to keep guests entertained with music that will provide fun background noise to conversations, or allow your one friend to start singing along when their favorite comes on. However, it is entirely possible that your usual summer playlist has already grown stale throughout June, and you are in need of a fresh selection of songs to help add a new listening incentive. So, here are 10 songs that you probably won't find on the average summer playlist, with a bit of variety for several different music tastes.

1. Young and Menace - Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy's first single from their upcoming album "Mania" produced more than a bit of division in its fan base when it dropped in late-April. The pop punk band has taken many opportunities with each subsequent album to change its sound, and this is no exception. While it did cause a stir of old-time fans expressing discontent with the single's use of electronic sounds in a way only experimented with in past albums, Young and Menace could provide a kick to any summer playlist. Unlike many recent pop songs, this song builds in tempo and Patrick Stump's vocals never fail to disappoint.

2. New Machines - Vinyl Theatre

Vinyl Theatre is a band from Wisconsin and has found their place in the indie and electronic genres. Relatively unknown, their single New Machines is different, and outside listeners are less likely to know this song just as they would know Katy Perry or Taylor Swift, as it would find itself in a summer playlist. Such is the beauty of this song - not only is it a great song to listen to, but it will also break up the familiar sounds of radio music and give your playlist character to stand apart. This is a song that is worth listening to, and would make for a great song to drive to, as well.

3. Tidal & Protest the Hero / Cold Water - Protest the Hero

In October of 2016, Protest the Hero announced that they would be breaking away from the normative method of releasing new music through albums, and instead would release six songs through music subscriptions. These two songs –– Tidal and Cold Water –– represent one-third of the series from the progressive metal band. Unable to decide which to include on this list, I have decided to group them together. Both songs are excellent, and worth a listen for anyone who might be interested from breaking away from pop music to try out something new or someone who is already interested in metal. The chord progressions are excellent, paired with great lyrics in such a way that it can fit in well with other music on your playlist, while also allowing for something a little different for your next gathering of friends.

4. All Night - Chance the Rapper (feat. Knox Fortune)

Perhaps this is a song you have squared away on your playlist already - but if it's not, it's time to make adjustments. This next track is fun and provides those carefree lyrics that are typical for summer. Chance the Rapper and Knox Fortune are a dynamic duo in this song, ready to sing through your speakers while you drive to the beach with your friends. Frankly, this song embodies the mood of a summer day through warm vocals, a catchy beat, and lyrics that can be picked up easily for those who don't know every word. If you feel that your playlist needs a good dash of fun and light-hearted rap, try this one on for size.

5. The Divine Zero - Pierce the Veil

The fourth and most recent album from the rock band Pierce the Veil, titled Misadventures, continued with elements of previous albums, not stopping short of Vic Fuentes' strong vocals or the smooth transitions in rhythm, such as found in this track. The Divine Zero, first released as the lead single, gives many examples of the band's ability to shift in tempo, as well as highlighting Fuentes' range. The song itself is fast-paced and energetic, as it starts off strong and continues through to the end. As with other tracks on this list, this is a good song to offer some variety from the usual pop of a summer playlist, and is certainly worth a second glance.

6. Distraction - M1ldl1fe

In the beginning of the summer, the Singapore-based indie band Take Two decided to welcome the release of their new single, Distraction, with bringing in a new band name. Now known as M1ldl1fe, the band is fairly small, this new track is one that I would highly recommend for any playlist, whether for summer or not. It is an easy listen, and I am glad that I found it, as I had intended this spot for one of their songs from 2015 (that is, their track Ariel, listed from when they still went by Take Two). The early summer release date for this song is surely no coincidence, as it fits perfectly for the season. It has a mild tone and easy pace that it not overwhelming. The vocals are also soothing to the ear, and, frankly, it begs to be played in your backyard while you sit poolside.

7. Better Love - Everyone Leaves

Out of the five members of Everyone Leaves, four provide vocals in their songs. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the alternative rock band is another on this list that is not well known. Their track Better Love, however, I think deserves more love and recognition for the five-piece. The different vocals give the song depth and emotion that could not possibly be given with a singular vocalist. The back and forth of male and female voices makes the listener feel that there is something more, layered beneath guitar riffs and drum beats - that is, the lyrics and exchange of vocals gives the song an element of conversation.

8. More Than You Know - Axwell /\ Ingrosso

Consisting of former-members of Swedish House Mafia (Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso), Axwell /\ Ingrosso delivers in terms of house music. This track was released in late-May of this year, and features a beat drop that is worth the wait of the first minute and ten seconds of the song. This song could fit in anyone's driving playlist, and even more so in a summer playlist. As with other house music, there is nothing harsh about it that could disrupt your time sitting on the beach, and instead could provide easy background noise, or fun listening at your 4th of July party.

9. Give Me To The Waves - General Ghost

Another band that has continued under the radar, General Ghost's title track to their album is a carefree song just as the lyrics suggest, and fitting of summer just as the waves in the title and album cover suggest. Another indie song on this list, it will fit in with other songs on your playlist, with a moderate pace that will transition well from a previous song and into the next without breaking the tempo into a lull or picking it up too quickly. As another little-known entry, it will stave off the overplayed for something fresh.

10. Kids (Seeb Remix) - OneRepublic

To close this list, OneRepublic is a band that many know by name and a few select songs, but often go overlooked elsewhere and underplayed on playlists. However, the Seeb remix of Kids is one that should not be passed by when updating a playlist. The remix's beat drop is excellent without taking much away from the original. In fact, I have found that I enjoy the remix more than the original mix, and feel that it would be a great song for the beach or driving in the middle of the day heat. As with other songs, it is an easy listen without too many lyrics so you'll pick it up easily, and the beat is catchy. It is worthy of any summer playlist, for sure.

For those interested in any of these songs, I have compiled these (as well as several additional tracks) into a Spotify playlist which can be found [here].