STAFF PICKS: The Signal staff’s summer jams
The Signal staff compiled their favorite summertime jams into the ultimate summer playlist. It is available on Spotify, Apple Music and Youtube Music.
“Lesson in depression” by Charley Crockett – one of the first songs from Charley Crockett that I listened too and one of my favorites. I love old country music and this song reminds me of that. The album this song comes from is something I recommend listening to when you are on a road trip.
“Don’t tell me that” by Charley Crockett – another song from the man himself. While the other song is good to listen if you’re out on a drive this song makes me want to get up and dance. I cannot recommend the album the first two songs come from enough (10 for slim) I love all the songs on that album but these two are my absolute favorite.
– Adan Martinez, reporter
“Drops of Jupiter” by Train – This song is super nostalgic and makes me feel happy. I believe the song is written about Monahan’s mom’s battle with cancer but I always thought it was about a woman who left a relationship to discover who she is outside of it but finds her way back to the partner after she does her soul searching. I think that concept is so beautiful because we should always be working to be our best, truest selves.
“Get Up” by Mayday Parade – Mayday has a lot of slow music that I’m obsessed with but this song is so upbeat and fun. I like it because the chorus is catchy but it also mentions several places such as Jersey, Seattle, and Vegas.
– Anna Barrientos, reporter
“Bad Habit” by Steve Lacy: “A recent release that has been stuck in my head since it came out. It works as a perfect karaoke song.”
“Tamagotchi” by Omar Apollo: “A fellow “paisano” from Mexico he perfectly encapsulates the sound of being Mexican-American living in the U.S..”
“Walkin” by Denzel Curry: “An early contender for my personal song of the year off of what is also a front runner for my album of the year.”
– Cesar Cardenas, Managing Editor – Content and Operations
“Heat waves” by Glass Animals. It reminds me of partying in Galveston with friends.
“Young and beautiful” by Lana Del Rey. This is an oldie now but it gives me The Great Gatsby vibes.
– Daria Glasscock, reporter
“N95” by Kendrick Lamar is from the new Kendrick album, great commentary that classics Kendrick
“Yo No Se Manana” by Luis Enrique is my go to salsa song this summer. Good beat that any level can follow.
– Jared Cadore, reporter
“Freestyle” by Lil Baby
“25K Jacket” by Gunna (feat. Lil Baby)
“WAIT FOR U” by Future (feat. Drake & Tems)
“These are the songs I bump on a daily basis. I like these songs cause they’re valid and songs 1-2 are good songs for playing ball 🏀”
– Marco Alvarado, reporter
“Jumper” by Third Eye Blind makes me feel so seen and hopeful. When I’m feeling down about myself, this is my go-to.
“Hotel California” by The Eagles is a classic summer song that makes summer sunsets a heightened experience.
“Chandelier” by Sia: I love this song for the summer party vibes.
– Michaela Lindsay, reporter
“Harmony Hall” by Vampire Weekend’s arpeggiating guitar riff, existential lyrics and mostly instrumental chorus make it the perfect track to jam out to with the windows down and the volume up.
“Cracker Island” by Gorillaz ft. Thundercat is an infectious dance track with a catchy call and response vocal between Gorillaz’s Damon Albarn and Thundercat. The bass guitar naturally goes wild on this track. It’s a total jam.
“Home At Last” by Steely Dan is a beautiful and groovy jazz rock track with lyrical allusions to Homer’s Odyssey. Earlier this summer I went with my friends and partner to see Steely Dan for the first time live at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and this track really stuck out to me, I’ve been jamming it ever since.
Miles Shellshear, Editor-in-Chief
“I Ain’t worried” by OneRepublic: I love this song because it is so catchy and gives me summer and happy vibes.
“Cooler than me” by Mike Posner: I love this song because it is older but I still jam it as if it just came out.
– Tiffany Brenner, reporter
“Acquainted” by The Weeknd: This song’s album, Beauty Behind the Madness was a true summer album in 2015 with so many great songs. But for me, the song I find myself listening to the most is “Acquainted.” This song shows the Weeknd performing some of his best vocals while also telling of the situationship love his lyrics tend to cover. Any true Weeknd fan can fell you this is one of his best gems, especially to jam during the summer.
“Sunset” by Kid Ink is one that truly captures the summer mood and one that is perfect for when you want to take a drive on a sunny day, especially in the evening as you watch the sunset. Kid Ink songs always have great beats and hooks and this is a perfect example.
“Love All” by Drake (feat. JAY-Z) is an underrated song on a rather mediocre album, this Jay-Z featured Drake song is one that deserves more attention. While Drake’s love of the topic of betrayal makes him seem monotonous, he certainly knows how to make the topic be explored in a good song. This is a good chill song to listen to on a sunny day as one wishes to reflect on their life and the conflicts they have been through that brought them to the summer they are now in.
– Troylon Griffin II, Executive Editor
“Magic” by Vince Staples
“Supermodel” by Maneskin
“Is there someone else?” by The Weeknd
“WUSYANAME” by Tyler, The Creator
Time capsule: All summer 2022 jams; Vince is now Acura paid with a brand new album after his successful self titled came out in 2021, Maneskin is about to start their 1st U.S. tour ever and with a huge summer rock hit, Tyler is coming off his 2nd Grammy back-to-back years and while the whole album is great this was one of my favs, and The Weeknd has just kicked off his brand new stadium tour to coincide with a great new album.
– Xavier Munoz, reporter
