In the music industry, summer can go by fast—fast chart growth, fast hits, and fast trends. In recent times, a lot of this is in part due to TikTok and its help with bringing attention to new music. This summer, multiple upbeat, fun pop songs started trending on TikTok such as “HOT TO GO!” by Chappell Roan, “Apple” by Charli XCX, and “Please Please Please” by Sabrina Carpenter. However, instead of talking about brat summer and your favorite artist’s favorite artist, we decided to ask CRLS students what their personal “song of the summer was,” and through this, we ended up collecting a range of genres and artists, both known and unknown.
Sarah Glassman’s ’26 favorite song of the summer was “Everytime” by Bakar ft. Lancey Foux, saying, “I liked it because it was upbeat and catchy and I previously liked the artist so I was happy when he released it this past June.”
Nathaniel Wang-Raymond ’26 shared Glassman’s sentiment on upbeat, catchy tunes through his “song of the summer” pick, “Chances,” by KAYTRANADA and Shay Lia, telling the Register Forum, “Although I just recently heard this song, I automatically knew I had to add it to my summer playlist. It features a very uplifting, bouncy beat from KAYTRANADA, which is complemented by Shay Lia’s melodic singing and catchy hook. There is also a specific part where the background melody sounds like seagulls on a beach.”
Lots of new music from established artists came out this summer, particularly from artist ASAP Rocky. Noah Fritz-Sherman ’26 highlighted that his song of the summer was ASAP’s new single “Highjack,” featuring Jessica Pratt. Fritz-Sherman was intrigued by the song’s “Upbeat summery feel and it introduced me to Jessica Pratt who I now like to listen to,” he describes. Likewise, Lina Ouadani ’27 was blasting ASAP Rocky all summer, specifically his album At Long Last ASAP. Oudani shared, “I really like the song Jukebox Joints—especially Kanye’s part–because ASAP has such amazing instrumentals”.
For everyone, it seems necessary to find a good song to match the perfect vibe, especially in the summer. Chanho Lee ’25, Edda Williams ’25, and Ella Colgan ’26 all shared a similar theme of the perfect song that gives the best summery feel that could be listened to anytime, anywhere. “Down” by Jay Sean got Lee “Hype and ready for a summer day! It’s such a fun song and I love blasting it.” Williams found “Summertime” by The Sundays at the “Right time at the beginning of the summer—it is a lit song.” Colgan said “Easier Said Than Done” by Thee Sacred Souls “Hits any day, anytime. It’s the perfect song for beach days and sunny evenings.”
Evidently, CRLS’s students’ music diaspora is as culturally expansive as its student body. As summer comes to a close and fall bustles in, these writers are looking forward to a new musically attuned season and school year.
This article also appears in our September 2024 edition.
