Chris is a sophomore at Stony Brook
University and is highly qualified to blog about music because he has
a Tumblr, collects records, and spends hours downloading obscure,
early 90s twee pop and 60s French pop. He is generally regarded as a
pretentious, yet lovable, jerk.
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Summer hits, beach ballads, and club anthems are typically the musical selections that spring to mind when you think of the words “summer” and “music.” And what better way to judge the songs of the Summer than to take a look at the American Top 40 charts — it’s the music pulse of the nation. The Top 5 of the Top 40 charts are as follows:
1. Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO
2. Give Me Everything by Pitbull
3. Rolling in the Deep by Adele
4. Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) by Katy Perry
5. Super Bass by Niki Minaj
But by the end of the Summer, you’ll have heard these songs countless times and they may become, or already be, quite stale. Here are 5 under-the-radar songs to refresh your Summer playlist:
1. East Harlem by Beirut
The first single from Beirut’s upcoming album The Rip Tide (out August 30, 2011). A rousing indie folk song with the Eastern European/Balkan flair that Beirut is known for.
2. Tron Cat by Tyler, the Creator
Off of Tyler’s newest offering Goblin and filled with the swag, misogynistic, and violent musings that the Odd Future member is famous for.
3. Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People
LA’s indie-pop sweethearts deliver with an infectious song dripping with that Summer feeling.
4. Money by The Drums
The new single by surf-inspired group The Drums– conjuring thoughts of hot beaches and swell waves. Heavily reminiscent of The Beach Boys, Dick Dale and other classic surf rock groups, but with a bit of Joy Division or The Smiths thrown in for good measure.
5. Saturday Love by Toro y Moi A cover of a classic mid-80s R&B hit by Cherelle and Alexader O’Neal. A perfect mix of nostalgia and some pop-leaning chillwave. The song will be on Toro y Moi’s next EP: Freaking Out.
*song titles that are available for
purchase on itunes have been linked to their locations on the itunes website.