Summer 2023 Playlist: Annotated
One thing I enjoy about my seasonal playlists is that they evoke the time and place in which I made them—where I was living, what I was going through. Even what was on TV! I suspect when I listen to my Summer 2023 playlist in the future, I’ll realize how upset I was about my dad’s death—more so than now, when I’m actually in it. There’s rage and sorrow here. But I’m dancing through it.
1) “Politicians in My Eyes” by Death - I first heard this song years ago as the theme to a podcast about the history of Detroit. Then a few months ago, it popped up on Spotify, and I remembered how much I enjoyed it. These things do have a way of coming back around. It sounds like skinning your knee on the pavement.
2) “Mind Eraser” by Nicole Atkins - Do you hear that piano line? Someone was listening to The Beatles! Big “Hey Bulldog” or “Lady Madonna” vibes. But I think Atkins is a great songwriter in her own right—her melodies continuously surprise me.
3) “Stranded” by Starcrawler - Vaguely melancholy rock ‘n’ roll. Ideal for a summer in mourning. Hot orphan summer.
4) “Go All the Way” by Raspberries - We love a 1970s one-hit wonder. The juxtaposition between the rock guitar and the swoony, romantic vocals is great.
5) “See No Evil” by Ghost - Welcome to the playlist’s official Covers Interlude. Ghost’s latest EP, Phantomime, is exclusively covers, and I think this Television cover is one of the best on the record. It makes me want to go on a road trip in a convertible.
6) “Hot Stuff” by Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs x The Lovely Eggs - This is a perfect cover. The artists make Donna Summer’s original material entirely their own while still preserving her original intent. “Hot Stuff” is a sexy, fun song whether it’s disco or metal!
7) “RA” by GAUPA - For a while after visiting Sweden, Spotify only wanted me to listen to Swedish bands. Which is fine! There are lots of great Swedish bands! Ever wonder what it might sound like if Björk fronted a metal band? Now you can find out. You’re welcome.
8) “All My Friends Move Like the Night” by Devil Electric - For this song, I’m back in that convertible on that road trip, but it’s nighttime now, and we’re going to a concert at a dive bar, and I’m full of red glitter anticipation. It makes sense in my head.
9) “Lovecraft in Brooklyn” by Mountain Goats - I saw Mountain Goats for the umpteenth time in February, and I’m seeing them again for the umpteenth-umpteenth time later this month. Anger! Paranoia! Horror! This one’s a banger.
10) “Slow Hands” by Interpol - This was one of my favorite albums in high school, and lately I’ve been revisiting it. Holds up! Nostalgia is a crucial part of summer. Why don’t we all get summer break? Let’s allow society to collapse between June and August.
11) “Die to Be a Butterfly” by Ora the Molecule - This was a Spotify Discover Weekly suggestion. The algorithm knows I’m a sucker for layered female vocals and a drum machine. This band is Norwegian, not Swedish. The algorithm thinks it’s close enough.
12) “Oh God” by Miya Folick - I was psyched to see a new Miya Folick album pop up this year. This one is an existential crisis anthem.
13) “Bless Me” by Moses Sumney - It’s rare that I discover musical artists from books. But recently I was reading Akwaeke Emezi’s novel You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty, and I came across his name. One Spotify search and I was hooked.
14) “Lust for a Vampyr” by I Monster - I like to dance and I like vampires. Enough said.
15) “No Paradise” by Santigold - I totally missed Santigold’s most recent album when it came out last year, but I’m glad I corrected that error! Let the dancing continue.
16) “Banye” by AKWAEKE - Speaking of Akwaeke Emezi—they’ve just released their first single and it is 🔥.
17) “Tamagotchi” by Omar Apollo - Another song that can only be described as 🔥. True story: I was too fragile for Tamagotchis as a child. I couldn’t keep mine alive—I cried and cried. I shoved it in the kitchen junk drawer to silence the beeping. I should tell my therapist about this.
18) “Only Have Eyes 42” by Janelle Monáe - The 🔥 interlude continues! Monáe has done it again—their new album is practically perfect in every way. It sounds like summer distilled into a record.
19) “Sunflower” by Tamino x Angèle - I almost went to see Tamino when I was in Stockholm, but it sold out. Here’s a quiet song for summer twilight.
20) “Satanist” by boygenius - Another of my favorites off their recent album. Personally, I don’t think their album is mind-blowing. It’s exactly what I expected—but what I expected was good! It’s just not surprising. You can revoke my sad girl card if you want. I said what I said.
21) “(Wish I could) Hideaway” by Creedence Clearwater Revival - This one’s for Dad. What’s that you say? We’re all bound for the graveyard. Ooh, I wish you well.
22) “Pêcheuse de Lune” by Melody’s Echo Chamber - If you’ve listened to any of my other playlists, you know I can’t resist a psychedelic 60s vibe. My heart is a go-go dancer.
23) “When You’re Not With Me” by Belle and Sebastian - Honestly impressive that Belle and Sebastian have been solid for so long. Even when an album isn’t my absolute favorite, it’s never bad. Their latest album is no exception. I really like this one.
24) “Chains” by Opus Kink - A song that dares to ask, What if we all got really melodramatic and did the twist? I love the way the horns flare up here. Alarming! We’re having fun, but we’re on edge. It’s a song that’s about to burst—the way summer gets toward its end, a sticky bubble.
25) “Better Be Good to Me” by Tina Turner - I knew I had to honor Miss Tina on this playlist—but I was reminded of this specific song during a Peloton ride. What an icon!
Need more summer music?