Now that we’ve fully settled into the season, it’s time for the ever-pressing question: what is the song of the summer? As music listening habits become more and more siloed, it takes so much for a song to really break through. Maybe instead of crowning one single winner, there can be several that appeal to the different needs a summer hit must fulfill: providing escapism, hooks galore, danceability and fun.
Pop music typically rules song of the summer conversations, but there are some country, hip-hop and electronic artists staking their claim this year. From an inescapable Sabrina Carpenter chorus to the left-field hyperpop of Charli XCX, to Tinashe’s long-awaited success story or the unexpected ubiquity of Kendrick Lamar, it’s shaping up to be a hot summer indeed.
‘Espresso,’ Sabrina Carpenter
Equal parts disco, pop and “huh?”, “Espresso” has all the ingredients for a not-so-serious but oh-so-catchy summer bop. The beat and bass line are undeniable and will soundtrack your sassiest sashay. Using espresso’s caffeine jolt as a metaphor for love-induced insomnia, the lyrics are admittedly cute, and in the chorus, when Sabrina Carpenter repeats, “That’s that me, espresso,” it’s both maddeningly nonsensical and somehow the perfect mantra for this season that allows us to lower the bar just a bit. — Robert Rowat
‘Not Like Us,’ Kendrick Lamar
It’s unlikely Kendrick Lamar sought out to make a song of the summer when he penned “Not Like Us.” One of the many tracks he released in his onslaught against Drake during their recent beef, “Not Like Us” drips with disdain and contempt for the Toronto rapper but there’s a playfulness there, too, that makes for a confounding listening experience. Producer DJ Mustard is known for laying down beats that become speaker-blasting bangers (“Needed Me,” “I Don’t F–k With You,” “Rack City”) and the audacious horns, icy synths and rhythmic drums create an immediate vibe. You will bop along, even when lines like, “Say, Drake, I hear you like ’em young/ You better not ever go to cell block one,” have you recoiling in shock.
Despite some of the more volatile lyrics, the song’s getting played at cookouts, block parties, bat mitzvahs, weddings, while inspiring viral dance challenges and new renditions, like this jazz version played on the streets of Harlem. During the feud, some Drake fans accused Lamar of only being able to make conscious, preachy rap — and he responded with a smash that hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The crowning moment for Lamar was likely playing the song four times in a row at his Pop Out concert in Inglewood, Calif. on Jun. 19 where a who’s who of celebrities, basketball players and local legends were on stage with him as he took his victory laps. — Kelsey Adams
‘Nasty,’ Tinashe
In 2019, we celebrated “Hot Girl Summer,” but this year is primed to be a “Nasty” girl summer thanks to Tinashe’s viral hit. What started off as an X (formerly Twitter) user remixing the song in a TikTok post by Zumba instructor @nate.vibes, has now spawned countless memes, a Marc Jacobs collab and millions of streams for the R&B star, leading to one of her biggest hits since “2 On” from her 2014 debut album. While Tinashe stans (myself included) would argue that her discography is full of songs that should’ve popped off more — including last year’s infectious single “Needs” — it’s great to see people embrace this sexy anthem that poses the pressing question: “Is somebody gonna match my freak?” — Melody Lau
‘Illusion,’ Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa released a perfectly timed summer album with Radical Optimism, and while “Training Season” has really taken off, we think that “Illusion” has the power to clinch song-of-the-summer status. The English and Albanian singer builds quiet suspense in the pre-chorus of the French house-inspired song, a tempered four-on-the-floor beat kicking into high gear as the chorus hits — and once that beat drops, you’ll be ready to join the thousands of people who have learned the accompanying dance. For extra sizzle factor, watch the video for “Illusion,” filmed at Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc in Barcelona, which features swimmers and divers in top form. — Holly Gordon
‘Lunch,’ Billie Eilish
Using a thumping beat, Eilish transports listeners to the club with one of her most addictive songs yet. It’s evident she’s got a hit thanks to a slinky bassline and her signature whispery vocals, which work in tandem to showcase her sultry side: “I could eat that girl for lunch/ yeah, she dances on my tongue/ tastes like she might be the one,” she sings lustfully. “Lunch” has a duality: it obviously sets the mood for late-night dancing, but it is also upbeat enough to fit the vibe of lounging on a hot beach. Eilish takes her longing and coats it with spice, resulting in a sizzling anthem about desire that will echo in heads long after summer has faded into fall. — Natalie Harmsen
‘Keepin’ it Kool,’ Potatohead People, Kendra Dias
This song from Vancouver’s Potatohead People is a contender for this year’s song of the summer based on its title alone. But, in addition to beating the heat, it’s got the perfect tempo for strutting — down the sidewalk, barefoot on the beach, cruising the boardwalk on rollerblades, or anywhere you feel like seeing and being seen this summer. A funky bassline and throwback production (including refreshing splashes of bell tree) will conjure your best memories of summer romances past, as Kendra Dias muses in the pre-chorus, “Think it’s perfect timing for you to give your love to me.” — RR
‘Magnetic,’ Illit
As K-pop continues to grow bigger in North America, we are treated to new, emerging acts like Illit, who is the ninth K-pop group to crack the Billboard Hot 100 with their debut single, “Magnetic.” A bubbly dance-pop number, “Magnetic” was co-produced by Big Hit Music’s in-house producer Slow Rabbit, who has created numerous hits for K-pop heavyweights BTS and Tomorrow X Together. Another expertly crafted earworm, “Magnetic” has received a coveted boost on TikTok in recent months, extending this March-released song’s popularity well into the summer months. — ML
‘Jump,’ Tyla feat. Gunna, Skillibeng
Tyla had everyone and their mothers trying to recreate her water bottle-assisted dance sequence for last summer’s hit single “Water.” “Jump” brings us back to the Johannesburg artist’s polyrhythmic wonderland (and again I find myself trying to emulate the way she moves her hips). Her honeyed vocals sound like sunshine and a sweet cocktail in your hand, but assists from American rapper Gunna and Jamaican dancehall artist Skillibeng add a little edge. “Jump” is the perfect conduit from day parties to hot, sweltering nights (and it seems we’re in store for many of those with heatwaves sweeping across the country). — KA
‘Who’s Gonna,’ Lu Kala
“Say you want a queen, better level up,” asserts the twice Juno-nominated Lu Kala, listing all the things a potential partner needs to do to get her attention. The addictive bassline on “Who’s Gonna” officially opens the door to Lu Kala’s funk era, and an unexpected sax solo brings the song home. The Congolese Canadian singer recently revealed that she co-wrote an upcoming Katy Perry single, which Perry called “one of my biggest songs that has yet to come out.” We’re not sure if we’ll get that in time for summer, but “Who’s Gonna” has plenty of staying power for the season. — HG
‘For Certain,’ PartyNextDoor
“We didn’t vibe on the first night/ but you’re so enticin’,” PartyNextDoor sings, teasing a love interest who has caught his eye. He seamlessly blends his style of moody R&B with the dancehall rhythms of the Caribbean to inject the song with a tropical feel. It’s steamy and primed for warm weather, with beats that make hips want to sway. But it’s not entirely playful, as PartyNextDoor lets his lover know he doesn’t want games: “I want you to make you my girlfriend,” he states, leaning into a more mature and confident side of himself. “For Certain” marks a shift to more earnest songwriting from the OVO hitmaker, but the song still has an air of seduction that pairs perfectly with late summer nights. — NH
‘To the Dancefloor,’ Debby Friday
If your summers consist more of clandestine clubs with pulsing bass rather than sunlit nature walks, then this is the song of the summer for you. With its cheeky lyricism and guttural, ghettotech production, “To the Dancefloor” is dark hedonism on steroids. Debby Friday taps into the sexy side of electronic music with an anthem that’s boastful, demanding and irresistible. Her needs are plentiful, and on top of getting all the girls on the dancefloor, they include starting a riot, levitating, finding herself a freak and throwing it back “so righteous.” — KA
‘Good Luck, Babe!,’ Chappell Roan
When Chappell Roan released her debut album last year, she vowed to start a “Femininomenon.” Now, as part of an exciting wave of queer women taking over pop music, the singer has definitely become a phenom whose star is quickly soaring with the help of her latest single “Good Luck, Babe!.” While this song takes Chappelll Roan in a more baroque pop direction, at times stretching her voice to Kate Bush heights, “Good Luck, Babe!” is still a strong showcase for her extraordinary sense of melody and her innate love of theatricality and drama, which she’s not afraid to also show off in her drag-inspired onstage looks (for example: her recent Statue of Liberty costume at Governors Ball). Chappell Roan is undoubtedly one of the hottest stars of the season, but her trajectory is going to continue skyrocketing well beyond that. — ML
‘Shut it Down,’ Queen Priyanka
On the chorus of this second single from Queen Priyanka’s upcoming album, Devastatia, the drag queen-turning-pop star gave us a motto for the season: “I ain’t wasting no time with you/ no no no no no time for you/ chitta-chatta it don’t mattah/ sorry Imma shut it down.” There are so many more delicious nuggets in this two-and-a-half-minute burst of energy — the pre-chorus has enough lyrical shade to lower the summer heat — that anyone scorned by a lover or friends will be returning to “Shut it Down” all season. — HG
‘Love Me Jeje,’ Tems
Any single with a warm Afrobeats groove immediately evokes summer energy, and “Love Me JeJe” by Nigerian singer Tems is no exception. The song interpolates Seyi Sodimu’s song of the same name, giving it an injection of ’90s nostalgia, but Tems’s rich, deep vocals give the tune new life. The vibe is light and sweet, like a refreshing iced tea. “Hold me in your arms, in your love and your light,” she sings, radiating sunshine. “Music is meant to make you feel something,” she told NPR about her new album, Born In the Wild. And “Love Me JeJe” certainly elicits emotions of joy, encouraging listeners to lean into softness. — NH
‘Witchy,’ Kaytranada feat. Childish Gambino
What is summer without a new Kaytranada single to soundtrack your flirty escapades? Luckily we have “Witchy,” one of the standouts on the Montreal producer’s latest album, Timeless. Combining Kaytranada’s swinging kick drums and resplendent cymbals with Childish Gambino’s crooning vocals about falling into a love spell he has no interest in resisting, “Witchy” inspires a simmering summer romance. Whether you’re one to stare wistfully across the bar or make a bold first move, this song will add some extra magic to your romantic adventures. — KA
‘Von dutch,’ Charli XCX
Hyperpop’s excess and exaggerations are made for the hottest months, and this year’s anthem is Charli XCX’s “Von dutch.” A revved-up banger that’s guaranteed to get played at every rave this summer, “Von dutch” is a glitzy Y2K fever dream, not only in the throwback designer that’s name-checked in the title, but also in the attitude the song embodies. “I kinda miss the time where pop music was really volatile and crazy,” the British pop artist told the Face. “Everybody is so worried about everything right now, how they’re perceived, if this art they’ve created is going to offend anyone.” On “Von dutch,” Charli XCX throws all those concerns out the window, encouraging an IDGAF mentality that will fuel those fun, debaucherous nights. — ML
‘Too Sweet,’ Hozier
It almost feels criminal that “Too Sweet” didn’t make Hozier’s most recent album, Unreal Unearth, but luckily the soaring blues-rock song didn’t end up on the cutting room floor. Instead, it served as the first single from his EP Unheard, and from the minute he began teasing the track on social media, it was clear it was something different than his usual gospel-inspired ballads. “Too Sweet” is a strong cocktail of vivid lyricism, irresistible melodies and powerful vocals. The song is a masterclass in storytelling, as Hozier examines how his love interest is as “bright as the morning, as soft as the rain,” two things he cannot be. But the sweeping chorus alone is enough to solidify “Too Sweet” as a song of the summer contender for the sinners: “I think I’ll take my whiskey neat,” Hozier sings, his voice exploding as he reveals himself as a bad boy who likes to indulge. — NH
‘Slide,’ Sadboi
Although this song by Toronto artist Sadboi dropped in March, it feels perfectly primed to take over the summer. With a nostalgic beat that evokes “Tokyo Drift” by Teriyaki Boyz, and braggadocious lyrics that will make anyone feel like the hottest person in the room, “Slide” is the song to listen to while getting ready for summer exploits. Sadboi taps into the feeling of when the night still holds all its promise and your confidence is at an all time high: “Why you be talking shit? ‘Cause I can…Why you be looking sexy? ‘Cause I am.” — KA
‘Bomb,’ Kelly McMichael
Do you enjoy your song of the summer with a healthy dose of catharsis? Then “Bomb” is the track for you. “She says no need to hold on to the anger/ but the insides are rotten and it’s hotter and hotter/ and I’m so bothered, I’m so bothered,” sings Kelly McMichael, her words almost tripping over each other before taking a breath to follow up her rage with the titular sentiment. At a time of civil unrest, genocide and a burning planet, this ’90s guitar rock-inspired single gives us the ideal opportunity to get some things off our chest. — HG
‘Too Close to the Heat,’ Dear Rouge
“Too Close to the Heat,” the latest offering from Vancouver rockers Dear Rouge, is an exhilarating number that fans the flames of desire. “I grew up in a conservative home where talking about physical attraction and what it all meant didn’t really happen much,” singer Danielle McTaggart explained in a statement. “The song was a fun way to liberate myself around the topic. I wanted to lean in to a sexy rock jam, and let it all out!” That’s exactly what McTaggart does as her performance ramps up throughout the track until she lets out a howl on the final chorus with wild abandon, singing, “You set me on fire, from my hair down to my feet/ building up desire/ when I’m too close to the heat, yeah!” — ML
‘A Bar Song (Tipsy),’ Shaboozey
There’s a longstanding history of country songs about drinking (“Red Solo Cup,” “Whiskey River,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”) but this is probably the first one to give a nod to 2004 hip hop classic, “Tipsy” by J-Kwon. In his version, Virginia singer and rapper Shaboozey takes the well-worn line “Here comes the two the the three to the four” and adds on some country-fied lyrics: “Two-steppin’ on the table, she don’t need a dance floor.” “A Bar Song” is Shaboozey’s first single since his double feature on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album — which was all about reclaiming the Black roots of country music — and it’s already become his biggest hit to date with over 370 million streams on Spotify. It’s a sing-along song with endearing fiddle, a rousing chorus, and husky vocals that sound like they’ve enjoyed their fair share of Jack Daniel’s. — KA
‘Shut Up,’ Jessie Reyez feat. Big Sean
Jessie Reyez has a knack for penning songs that radiate confidence, and on “Shut Up,” she sounds fierce and in control. “Phone full of options, bank full of bills/ Don’t do it ’cause I need to, I do it for the thrill,” she states, sounding unshakable. Typically, Reyez is doing vocal cartwheels on her songs, but on “Shut Up” she swaps singing for rapping to create an unexpected earworm. It’s a pleasant surprise to hear her hold her own alongside Big Sean, whose rapid-fire verse is filled with playful remarks about getting down in the bedroom. Reyez and Big Sean feed off of each other with ease, and by the end of the song you’ll feel revved up enough from their energetic delivery to yell “shut up” whenever the opportunity arises. — NH
