Blazer’s hottest summer hits

Blazers have been enjoying summer’s upbeat vibe and a break from academic pressure. During these times, music plays a huge role in adding a soundtrack to the season’s memorable experiences. Let’s dive into some Blazers’ favorite summer songs.

Summertime Sadness - Lana Del Rey

Sophomore Mikal Kidane has a fondness for Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness.” This classic 2012 track is famous for its melancholic lyrics, perfectly capturing the wistful mood at summer’s end. 

Kidane, a Rhythm and Blues (R&B) fan, finds herself gravitating towards indie pop in the summer, specifically Del Rey’s music. “I honestly really enjoy listening to the indie pop genre from artists like Lana in the summer because of catchy lyrics, upbeat melodies, and the overall vibe it brings,” she says. 

However, Kidane’s tastes aren’t confined to a single genre. One of her favorite artists in the futuristic R&B scene is the band Sonder. Their songs, like “Too Fast” and “Care” have a smooth, sultry feel that also complement the relaxed pace of summer.

Sunroof - Nicky Youre, Dazy

When asked for a summertime hit, senior Nahom Adnew immediately thinks of Nicky Youre’s “Sunroof” – a catchy and carefree song about driving around with close friends. “It’s a fast-paced, high-energy song, and it gives a happy-go-lucky vibe that just makes you smile,” he explains. 

Although “Sunroof” is solidly rooted in the pop genre, Adnew enjoys a wide variety of music genres. From rap to Korean-R&B, his wide-ranging music taste displays a common theme among Blazers: the diversity of music genres on our playlists. The summer is the perfect time to explore different sounds and see which songs resonate with your personal story and cherished moments. 

August - Taylor Swift

Sophomore Manil Singh-Prasad thinks of “August” by Taylor Swift as his favorite summer song, aptly named for the last month of summer. The song features a balance of ethereal instrumentals and Swift’s emotive vocals, capturing the essence of fleeting summer romance and the bittersweet memories it leaves behind. 

Singh-Prasad particularly loves the song for its fast-paced melody and carefree storytelling. “The main reasons why ‘August’ reminds me of summer are the melody in the chorus and a couple of the lyrics,” Singh-Prasad says. “The song is super upbeat, and the vocals have kind of a ‘throw it to the wind’ feeling. It just feels like she’s conveying the laid-back attitude of summer.”  

Starships - Nicki Minaj

Senior Kripa Krishnan loves energetic and upbeat pop music. “Starships” by Nicki Minaj is one of her top summer picks, thanks to its catchy tune and infectious rhythm. The song’s energetic beats and fun lyrics make it perfect for summer activities, capturing the carefree spirit of the season. 

Along with “Starships”, she finds songs like Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” deserving of love. “[These songs] have such an upbeat vibe that I've been looking for this summer,” she says. “[They’re] just a good way to get into the mood.” 

Krishnan is also exploring other genres this summer, such as country music. “I’ve been getting into the country, liking Luke Combs and Zach Bryan,” she shares. This shift partly stems from the easygoing summer atmosphere and recent movies featuring country music.

Hot Takes!

Summertime brings a lot of heat – so let’s take a quick look at some of our Blazers’ “hot takes” on music as well. “I personally kind of dislike rap,” Kidane says. “It's kind of hard to understand certain parts of the song lyrics.” Meanwhile, Adnew has strong feelings about Playboi Carti’s new album, "A Whole Lotta Red." “[Carti fans] say it's the greatest album he dropped…it's horrendous,” he explains. “The beats are good, but the lyrics are so bad.” 

While opinions on rap and hip-hop are divided, pop music isn’t spared from scrutiny either. For instance, Krishnan has a unique perspective on the pop star Olivia Rodrigo. “I’d say Olivia Rodrigo is slightly overrated,” she says. “‘Deja Vu’ and ‘Good 4 U’ have just seen the light of day for too long.” These tracks, while popular, have perhaps overstayed their welcome in the playlists of some listeners. 

Even within the same school, music opinions can be as spicy as the summer heat itself. From rap lyrics to pop hits, Blazers are full of dissenting ideas and unique opinions. What’s your hot take on this summer’s soundtrack?