Soundtrack to summer: She's Electric

As this blog is quite new, I am allowing the publications to be fairly fluid. I opened what I will quite pretentiously call the 'music series' with a monthly update and analysis. I have now come to realize that in my listening habits, a lot of tracks come back round again and the biggest variety may be something seasonal (although there's no guarantee that this won't simply last as long as the previous endeavor).

So, to open the new 'music series' I present you: Summer Time. This summer a lot of listening was influence by artists that I had the pleasure of bumping into at what few shows I attended. I have been lamenting for months how often my day job prevents me from having the energy to go out, and the nature of a free flowing party atmosphere at these places are not always conducive to early starts the next day or mildly introverted personalities.

A few feel-good female singers are in the mix this season, as it is likely there always will be. Favorites include Maisie Peters and Emily Burns.  Peters presents a strong piece about finding her writing inspiration in relationships, and the pain of having to re-vist them when preforming long after the subject of the matter ceases to be in her life. It is honest, hopeful and a rewarding listen. Burns' notably more feisty piece of Test Drive is equally fantastic. A fun, topical backing track creates the setting, singing about being conscious of loosing yourself in a relationship before you are entirely sure the person you're with is just as invested. It is a refreshing stance on the modern relationship, presenting a person's ability to face reality, self-aware and head-over-heels at the same time.

To pick out a few favorites of this season, I've loved the new releases from the young Brighton based band Yonaka, specifically Wish You Were Somebody pulled me back into the reckless, empowering sound. Teach Me To Fight required a couple of listens before I was convinced I liked it, but is very easily consumed and is definitely stand-out in it's own right.

The Hunna's cover of The 1975's abysmal release Give Yourself A Try rescued the lyrics somewhat, going back to raw and loud guitar backing and honest vocals. Valentino - lead singer - injects more emotion into his rendition of the track than the original managed, making the rapid succession of heavy topics broached feel more sincere rather than an overly ambitious attempt to relate to troubled fans.

In conclusion, the mood of this playlist is comfortable, wondering, and self-aware. Perfect for the acknowledgment and overcoming heat induced melancholy of extended days, as well as soothing those inevitable heartbreaks of summer romances. Listen on Spotify below.