Sounds Like...

After Bloomington’s recent version of monsoon season, it appears that legitimate summer weather has finally reached us, sending the season into full swing.

Music is a necessary part of every season, but in looking over some old playlists, summer seems to demand its own collection of songs. As a season, it’s different from all others in terms of our calendar and its weather (for the most part). Summer is its own beast, unique in most aspects of our lives. Why should it be any different when it comes to music?

The answer, in case you hadn’t yet realized it, is that we shouldn’t. Summer songs need to evoke thoughts of the season’s most important elements: lightheartedness, sun, beaches, late nights and something that girls will like. Because, let’s face it, few people love summer more than the beach-going female population.

So here’s a collection of tracks to help you kick it this summer, no matter what you’re doing or where you might be. Take it, leave it or even expound upon it, but make sure you enjoy the music as much as you should be enjoying your summer.

“Party in the USA” — Miley Cyrus: Just kidding.

“Animal” – Neon Trees: Following closely in the footsteps of alternative electronic pop bands like Phoenix, Neon Trees are a little rough around the edges. However, “Animal” has garnered some mainstream interest and for good reason. It’s got a little bounce, a little impatience and the perfect chorus for a song of pure enjoyment.

“California Gurls” — Katy Perry: I hate to include this, but it’s clearly aimed at being a summer tune. Perry was one of the pop girls who was Gaga’d to the backburner; it’s nice to see a big follow-up.

“We’re Done” — Wiz Khalifa: Wiz embodies what being young is all about: untroubled nature, reckless decision-making and, obviously, the party life. “Done” is the most explicitly catchy tune from his latest mix tape “Kush and Orange Juice” and certainly captures the summer spirit.

“Ambling Alp” — Yeasayer: Kind of a wailing piece from the power pop up-and-comer Yeasayer, this song is a lot of fun, and its lyrics make it very accessible.

“Office Musik” — Lil Wayne/The Office: A mash-up by fuckyeah of the theme song for “The Office” and “Hustler Musik” from Weezy’s “Tha Carter II,” it features some of Wayne’s finest, most real content over one of television’s catchiest themes that more than fits the requirement of catchy and light.

“Summertime Clothes” — Animal Collective: The perfect summer song, with tantalizing waves of sound at the beginning that lead into relevant lyrics, a patient, catchy rise and a magnificent cascade downward that carries the listener right into the song.

So there’s a good start. I know I don’t have to tell readers to make it a good summer in B-town.