Ah, summer. You are ice-cream, sea foam and dragging, dulcet days. After a draining semester, this much-needed break could not come a moment too soon.

Whether you decide to hit the beach (remember to apply gratuitous SPF!) or rest at home, your plans merit a soundtrack.

Here is my musical prescription for a long, hot summer.

1. machineheart's bright and shimmery "Circles."

2. Folk-pop trio The Lumineers' poetic and nostalgic "Ophelia."

3. The Beach Boys' sweet and brassy "Wild Honey."

4. Swedish group Pusher's "Clear" is buzzing and textured.

5. Robin Schulz's "Sugar" is a smooth, electronic re-imagining of Baby Bash's "Suga Suga."

6. Møme's glitchy, sophisticated "Aloha (Feat. Merryn Jean)."

7. The Brothers Johnson's "Strawberry Letter 23" is soulful and dizzying.

8. Corinne Bailey Rae's sensual, slow-burning "Green Aphrodisiac."

9. Drake's bouncy, dancehall hit "One Dance."

10. Stephen's "Start a Fire" is meditative and proud.

11. Marc E. Bassy's reggae-flavored "You & Me (Feat. G-Eazy)."

12. Wild Cub's doting and frenzied "Thunder Clatter."

13. The Four Season's fun and falsetto-laden "Let's Hang On."

14. Alessia Cara's brave, defiant "Wild Things."

15. American Indie-pop group Misterwives' disco-funk track "Our Own House."

16. Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer" is a wistful, California-rock anthem.

17. Tim Legend's fresh, wind-down tune "Hope (feat. BR/\VE)."

18. Lana Del Rey's brooding and synth-filled "High By The Beach."

19. Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" is as lulling and mesmeric as a summer storm.

20. DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith's campy (but undeniably joyful) "Summertime."