ATS Presents: Summer (Side A)

We know we haven’t sated your playlist needs for a long time now, but there’s a very good reason for this- we’ve been busy crafting this guest blogger superplaylist for you! Songs from every genre suggested by writers from blogs big and small. Thanks to everyone who helped out- I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you have a brilliant (rest of) summer.

1. FLEET FOXES- Sun Giant
Unyime Akpanudosen, expressionsrealia.com
There are so many classic indie-pop songs to go with, but I want to offer something a bit different. One of my favorite indie-folk bands, Fleet Foxes created a song called “Sun Giant”…which basically describes the sun tearing away from the clouds in the morning time. I really think the lyrics represent my summer mornings as well as a reflective moment on summer’s past and present. It has calm vocals and a nice soothing sound. Really listen to the lyrics.

2. BILLY STEWART- Summertime
Aurelle, mizaurelle.blogspot.com
Summertime itself is a great song for the summer, but Billy adds so much power, joy and spirit to the song, making it seem like an original piece of work. And it is. It’s a proper interpretation of a great piece of pop art. His is no quiet summer evening by the lake. It’s a raucous musical feat by the fire, with young folks banging drums and getting drunk on youth and forgetfulness. Don’t you cry, little girl, it’s summer time. No, siree.

3. SAM ROBERTS- Brother Down
Donald Chung, donaldchung.blogspot.com
My favourite summery song at the moment is probably Sam Roberts’ Brother Down, purely because of this: http://vimeo.com/825616.
It’s what I do, so it’s what I like.
The song itself feels pretty summery, upbeat and doesn’t make me want to kill myself. That’s all that matters isn’t it?

4. TRAIN- Hey, Soul Sister
Amy Jessica Olivia Farrel, somethingmagicalcouldhappen.blogspot.com
For my favourite summer song I’ve chosen ‘Hey Soul Sister’ by Train because it’s a jolly summery-style song and always brightens my day and gets me singing and dancing along!

5. LFO- Summer Girls
Ben ‘Young Govenor’ Cook, noguvnoluv.blogspot.com
My favourite summer song is “it’s gettin hot in here” by Nelly. Not only does it make me start sweating as soon as I hear it but it also automatically makes me think of belly tops. It was also the number one grossing rap song of all time or something, so imagine how many sweltering awesome BBQs this song was played at? Sweaty sexin’. Red hot!
Actually it’s: summer girls by lfo!!!!

6. G LOVE AND SPECIAL SAUCE- Cold Beverage
Isaac Ashe, echoisaacashe.blogspot.com
I choose this because it takes me back to Glastonbury ’97, the band filled in for someone on the main stage, Counting Crows if I remeber rightly. I’d never heard of them before but they blew me away, and their blues/rock/hip hop sound just fits so well with sunshine and a few beers

7. BEACH BOYS- I Get Around
Andy Parker, electric-banana.co.uk
I LOATHE the Beach Boys! But this one song is fantastic and is kinda like getting a FREE Fab ice lolly for just being the dim kid – which I happily recall happening quite a lot between the years 1987 – 1996.

8. THE CORAL- Pass It On
Will Oliver, weallwantsomeone.org
It isn’t my favorite summer song, but it’s certainly a song that perfectly hits the summer aesthetic. When listening to this you can’t help but feel thepresence of a perfect summer day in the grass with a cold breeze comforting you. It is short and sweet, perfect for a busy day in the sun. This one is fun, smart, and sunny. This is an essential summer song, folks.

9. WILD NOTHING- Summer Holiday
Peter Lanceley, thismusicwins.com
Perhaps its the nature of the song title which makes Jack Tatum’s Summer Holiday an obvious choice for this playlist, but the sound of the music also had a very significant part to play. Blending lo-fi recording styles, distant tones and hushed vocals with a wonderfully optimistic and sunny bass-line, this Virginia based one man band epitomises late Summer nostalgia with his unique, fashionable and somewhat blurry take on 80s pop music.

10. THE SMASHING PUMPKINS- Ava Adore
Jen Humphrey, agogofashion.blogspot.com
I picked all these songs because to me they are the types of songs that you can listen to at any time of the day and literally just fall into the music! They inspire me and just make me feel good!

11. THE BLOODSUGARS- Pedestrian Boogie
Justin Kreitzer, atlasandtheanchor.blogspot.com
It has a cool, top-down…stop the car and just party where you are vibe!

12. PORTUGAL. THE MAN- People Say
Yvonne Yuen, bohemianjunk.blogspot.com
I chose this song because they are one of many favorite bands of mine. Its also from one of my favorite albums(The Satanic Satanist) I listen to on a daily basis. I saw Portugal. The Man this month and fell in love with them all over again. Its hard not to love them when they put on such an amazing live show. They just jam. LIVE. They never stop playing. They play a song and when its over they jam and then go into another song. I can’t put it into words. Youtube it.

Stay tuned for Side B!

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