It started as a joke. The Figs, an indie band, posted an Instagram Reel where they wrote part of a song in the style of Forrest Frank, a Christian pop/hip hop artist. Frank responded, The Figs responded and then the song, titled “LEMONADE,” came out on Aug. 1. A day later, it was briefly the number one song across all genres.
The upbeat, uber-catchy song is one of the many new releases I’ve been enjoying this summer, even as others, like music reporter Elias Leight in the Wall Street Journal, lament the lack of mainstream megahits.
While it’s true we’re not getting fresh material from big names like Taylor Swift, I disagree that there aren’t any good new songs for the summer season.
I understand that pronouncements like “no good new music” and “there’s no ‘song of the summer this year’ ” are sweeping generalizations not meant to be taken literally — people also point to the success of the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack which released June 20 — but I’m still taking the opportunity to highlight some of the music I’ve had on repeat since school got out.
“More Than I Could Ask For” by Ben Rector
Rector’s latest album, “The Richest Man In The World,” came out May 30, and this is one of my favorite tracks. The sweet, rolling chorus never fails to make me nod along with the beat.
“Right in the Middle” by Brandon Lake and Hulvey
Christian alternative artist Brandon Lake released a new album, “King of Hearts,” on June 16, and this is indisputably my top pick from the 24 tracks. I’m a Christian and find the lyrics both relatable and encouraging. Hulvey’s rapped lines are raw and really add to the honest and earnest song.
“On My Mind” by Alex Warren and Rosé
Ahead of releasing the expanded version of his album “You’ll Be Alright, Kid,” Alex Warren dropped the single “On My Mind,” a collaboration with former BLACKPINK member Rosé. The song, released June 27, starts softly, building to a more powerful chorus about an ex-love.
Rosé’s and Warren’s voices go together like salted caramel and dark chocolate, and the second half of the chorus, comprised mostly of percussion and background vocals, gives me the same thrilling, rollicking feeling as watching a swift river coursing down a mountain
The full album to which “On My Mind” belongs came out in mid-July, and I recommend “Never Be Far” if you want to feel nostalgia mixed with homesickness. For a great hype song, try “You Can’t Stop This.” “Troubled Waters” is another one of my suggestions for its rocking, early OneRepublic-style instrumentals.
“Forever Ain’t Long Enough” by Max McNown
July 18 was a great day for me because, on top of the new Warren album, we got indie-folk artist Max McNown’s “Night Diving (The Cost of Growing Up).”
Many of the songs on this album are bittersweet, like the eponymous track, but “Forever Ain’t Long Enough” belongs at the high point of a road-trip romance. It’s sweet, adventurous and full of imagery. That song, along with “Better Me For You (Brown Eyes),” from the same album, are two of my favorite love songs right now.
“bad times” by Jessica Baio
Jessica Baio, a pop artist I’ve been following for a while now, released an album late last year that I really enjoyed, so I was excited about her new single before even listening to it. Now, after its release on July 25, I’ve replayed it more times than I can count.
“bad times” is up-tempo and dreamy, like a hot summer night spent blasting music from the car speakers. From personal experience, I can say it’s a great song for rocking out in the kitchen.
Reports that there’s no good new music this summer have been greatly exaggerated. We might not have a new Beyoncé album, but that just means that we have the chance to discover some new favorite songs and artists to wrap up the season.
