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Live Local Music

Summer 2012 Playlist II

Posted by Christopher Will on 06/13 at 12:04 PM

About a month ago we posted a summer playlist full of pop songs to get your summer started with a bang.  Now we’re in June, summer is in full force, and a whole mess of awesome new music has dropped.  Therefore, an update is in order.  Here are 10 new songs that have come out in the past month that you need to hear.  This time, there’s a mix of rock, rap, pop, dance, and even (dare I say it) a little bit of country. Enjoy!

Next To Me – Emeli Sandé

Scottish R&B/Soul chanteuse Emeli Sandé released her debut album Our Version of Events in the United States last week. Sandé is already a superstar in the UK, where Our Version of Events is a #1 album with more than a few smash singles. One of its most successful singles, “Next To Me,” is a percussive, driving love song with a splash of hip-hop and a whole lot of feeling.

Always Summer – Yellowcard

American rock band Yellowcard dropped the single “Always Summer” just a few weeks ago. The song harkens back to their Ocean Avenue days with its brawny pop punk, while bursting with superior lyricism and melodies. Check out that electric violin solo in the bridge and enjoy!

Hit and Run – Breathe Carolina

You know electro-hardcore duo Breathe Carolina from the radio hit “Blackout,” but soon they’ll be known for the even bigger hit “Hit and Run.” The single dropped mid-May, gaining considerable momentum on the iTunes charts the week it debuted. With the ridiculously catchy chorus and muscular, in your face, dubstep-influenced synthesizers, it’s a safe bet to say “Hit and Run” will be saturating the airwaves very soon.

Timebomb – Kylie Minogue

Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, who has been churning out hits since the late 80’s, proved that she’s still got it with her new single “Timebomb.” What is there to say about “Timebomb?” Well, it’s sexy, smooth, icy, and the production is literally flawless. It has a fun and innovative dance sound and it’s stuffed with so many hooks it’ll make your head spin. Listen to “Timebomb” and try not to dance. I dare you.

1991 – Azealia Banks

Azealia Banks, who has been featured on pretty much every major music blog and is arguably the most hyped up-and-coming artist on the music scene, released her debut EP 1991 a couple weeks back. The title track is a gritty slice of retro-style rap, with a slightly off-kilter and infectious chorus. Keep an eye on this 21 year old musical newcomer. She’s about to do some big things.

Full Spectrum – Keegan Tawa & Atomisk

For all you Penn Staters, here’s a local artist who sounds like he should be sharing the stage with some of the best EDM producers out there. Keegan Tawa, an upcoming junior at Penn State, teamed up with producer Atomisk to create “Full Spectrum.” “Full Spectrum” is a 5-and-a-half minute dance track that takes you through more buildups and breakdowns than you can shake a stick at. Turn on that strobe light, put “Full Spectrum” on blast, and jam the day away.

Want You Back – Cher Lloyd

Cher Lloyd made her appearance on the UK version of the X Factor, and soon thereafter took over the British pop scene with her freshman album, Sticks & Stones. The 18-year-old makes her American debut with the single “Want U Back.” “Want U Back” is a song some might find vapid and obnoxious, but one that I still think is catchy enough to get stuck in your head for days, possibly months.

Now Or Never – Outasight

Hip-hop/pop artist Outasight made a substantial dent in the Billboard Hot 100 with his top 40 breakout single “Tonight Is The Night.” He’s back with “Now Or Never,” a fusion of pop, dance, and rap that has that same fresh, feel-good sound that made “Tonight Is The Night” so appealing. Listening just makes you want to jump around like a fool and yell “WOAHHHHH” to the ceiling.

I Told You So – Karmin

Karmin’s got a firm grasp on the radio waves with their cutesy, fluffy smash hit “Brokenhearted,” but they also have a few other standout tracks from their debut EP Hello. One of the most prominent tracks on Hello, “I Told You So,” finds Amy Heidemann channeling Nicki Minaj with her quick-fire rapping and snarky lyrics. She even puts on the guise of a female Busta Rhymes in the third verse, where she cuts which such lightning-fast velocity that it’s hard to even keep up with her.

Pontoon – Little Big Town

Nothing says “summer” like country music, and Little Big Town have crafted the perfect country hit with “Pontoon.” “Pontoon” has a cool, dusty feel to it, as the quartet’s dusty, reverberated vocals bask amongst the groovy twang of electric guitars and soft organ keys. The sunny home-grown hit is all about lying on a boat, getting some sun and enjoying the water. If this track doesn’t make you want to book a summer vacation near the water, then I don’t know what will.