the staff of pop-break looks at some of their favorite tunes from this past summer…
Summer 2012 was littered with anthems — from Alex Clare’s “Too Close” to Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” to the requisite Katy Perry, Rhianna and country jams. The staff of Pop-Break looks at some of their favorites for your downloading pleasure!
Fun. “Some Nights”
I’ve been obsessed with Fun.’s sophomore effort, Some Nights since its release in February, but the title track and current single has all the necessary components of a fantastic summer jam. Anthemic and a wee bit theatrical, Fun.’s track about the pitfalls of success and life on the road is still somehow universal and relatable for anyone still trying to grow up and become who they really are, thanks to clever lyrics like, “Sometimes I wish that my lips could build a castle / sometimes I wish they’d just fall off.” Lead singer Nate Ruess’ vocals are confident and fiery (a bit reminiscent of Freddie Mercury, too) and when coupled with Andrew Dost’s rousing drums, carry “Some Nights” to a pounding, sing-a-long worthy crescendo, seemingly handcrafted for blasting through car radios on warm summer nights. –Kimberlee Rossi-Fuchs
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“Colours” by Grouplove
Fun, dance-worthy melodies mixed with light-hearted lyrics make “Colours” by Grouplove my perfect summer song. This indie quintet blends honest, relatable lyrics and high-pitched yet controlled vocals into an overall happy feeling. The catchy, repetitive lyrics were stuck in my head all summer long. –Erica Batchelor
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“Simple Summer” by The Shins
Waking up at the crack of dawn and commuting to and from New York City was not an easy task for me this summer and I probably wouldn’t have made it through many rough mornings without “Simple Song” by The Shins. Singer James Mercer sure knows how to say “rise and shine” with this tune, it’s truly reminiscent of the beauty of the early morning. “Simple Song”‘s haunting introduction, enchanting melody, and relatable lyrics make it by far one of the best tracks of the year. –Lauren Stern
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“You’re a Lie” by Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators
Muscular riffs, free-wiedling hellfire guitar solos and one of the best vocals in rock ‘n’ roll have “You’re a Lie” my song of the summer. This is without a doubt Myles Kennedy and Slash’s finest collaboration — the insane register of Kennedy combined with Slash’s signature solo-ing has created an unforgettable hard rock anthem. –Bill Bodkin
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“Gotta Be Wrong Sometimes” by O.A.R.
A jam band vibe, a fun bass line, great guitar strumming, and an upbeat rhythm makes “Gotta Be Wrong Sometimes” my song of the summer. O.A.R.’s most recent single has certainly caught my ear and keeps me grooving in my car with the windows down and the volume up. “Gotta Be Wrong Sometimes” does a great job of showcasing Marc Roberge’s distinct and wonderful vocals, the depth of the band, and, at the same time, how much fun O.A.R. can be. Lyrically, this song does a great job telling you how to live your life, especially in the summer; don’t apologize, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and most certainly, do it up! –Lisa Pikaard
