my top 10 songs right now!!!
- coolpartycle
- Jul 22
- 6 min read
I wanted to name this “My Top 10 Songs of the Summer,” but it’s only July—and honestly, with the way things are going, I think summer will last all the way through September. So anyway, here are my top ten songs of what seems to be midsummer.
These are listed in no particular order. Some songs are brand new, fresh out of the box; others are oldies but goodies. I also threw in some honorable mentions at the end because I listen to so much new music all the time, and the list just keeps going... and going... and going.
xo -Laurel
“Hard Hat” – Ski Club
To start off: I have so much love for this band. According to their Bandcamp, they describe themselves as: “Boston-based trad-jazz post-punk Americana new wave psychedelic funky junky jam band.” This track has the perfect mix of chaos and heartbreak that I need in a song. I’m obsessed with the back-and-forth drum parts in the verses and how everything kind of “falls together” into the chorus. On top of that, it’s produced insanely well. As far as I know, the members are Berklee students and record at the school...? Either way, this band rocks, and I’m crossing my fingers that their next release is an EP or album followed by a tour announcement.
“Life Signs” – Water From Your Eyes
This is one of those songs that just scratches the itch in my brain. I love pretty much everything this band puts out, and I’m so excited for the new album. If you’re unfamiliar, Water From Your Eyes is a duo made up of Rachel Brown and Nate Amos (aka This Is Lorelai). What I love about their music is how—no matter how many times I listen—I hear a new sound or can’t quite keep up... or count the time signature. Like, I can count, and I can count time signatures—but I don’t want to with this band!!! Because I’m having too much fun!!
HM: Another single from this album, “Playing Classics,” just dropped and it’s totally giving club vibes. So many artists are going for that lately and I’m here for it.
“Dotted Line / The Alarmist” – Pinegrove
Yes, I know this is technically two songs, but they go together really well, so I don’t care! Pinegrove is usually a springtime band for me, but I got into Marigold this spring/summer and I’ve been absolutely loving it. This band makes me want to open my eyes a little wider and realize we’re just tiny ants on this planet—and we do not give enough credit to the things around us (nature!!!).
Also yes, I know there’s a song in between these two on Marigold, but I don’t like it. I skip it every time. Anyway... feeling sad? Go for a walk and put this album on.
“Love on the Outside” – Wishy
UGHH! This song makes me feel so mushy and squishy inside!! I’m not sure what it is—I don’t even know if this is technically a love song—but it brings me so much joy. Just thinking about some silly guy having big feelings for this girl and I’m like omg!!! Go get her!!! Great car song. Roll the windows down.
Also—the ending??? I looooooove a good breakdown to close out a song, and this one hits. It gives the track a grittier, grungier vibe to exit with and it works so well.
This band recently played the venue I work at and I fucking missed it. I’m disappointed in myself.
Update: It is a love song! Here’s a quote from the writer: "It’s about that exciting yet frustrating early phase of a romance when there’s uncertainty about where things will go."
“Next to You” – Macseal
LOOKIN’ AT THE SPOT WHERE YOU WERE YESTERDAYYYYY IT’S LIKE YOU VAPORIZED THROUGH THE BED FRAAAAAME!!!
This song is so perfect. I won’t lie—this summer has been my intro to Midwest emo. (I mean, I obviously knew American Football and Modern Baseball and Mom Jeans and stuff... but just the basics.) Okay, also—Google says Pinegrove is Midwest emo?? Idk about that...Anyway, I’ve had the pleasure of really getting into Macseal, Saturdays at Your Place, Oso Oso, Charmer, Sports., Anxious, Hospital Bracelet, Riley!, Tigers Jaw… oh my god, so many more. Diving into this world has helped me find the sound I want to write for Cool Party. Macseal now has a special place in my heart. I love all their stuff and I just ordered a few of their records.
HM: First Macseal song I ever heard was “Cats.” Like wtf, that song is like wtffff.
“Runaway Houses City Clouds” – Tame Impala
Mmmmmmm I love me some Tame Impala!! Did you know it’s just one guy? This song is soooooooo summer.
Tame Impala is also my “Columbus band”—whenever I’m driving down to Columbus to hang with my mom or friends, I always put on his music. Specifically, Innerspeaker or Lonerism. Honestly, I don’t think Innerspeaker gets enough credit.
Shout out to bestie DJ Stan who reminded me this summer that Innerspeaker is just banger after banger.
The cadences in this song are nuts and somehow keep me more grounded. Also, learning this song on guitar put me back into that mindset of: “Okay, I don’t suck—I can figure things out if I really try.”
“Rocky Mountain High” – John Denver
Shame on me—I didn’t really know who John Denver was until this year. A friend of mine cleaned out a record vendor’s full selection of his albums, and I finally got curious.
I grew up in a house that didn’t really play country—maybe a little folk, but nothing like this.
Now I love putting on this whole album and just enjoying being outside.
But this song in particular? So good. And so summer. Need I say more?
“Fall in Love” – Phantogram
Okay—this one has a story.
I started watching this Netflix show called Unreal and immediately fell in love with it. It’s a fictional “behind-the-scenes” drama about what it’s like to produce a show like The Bachelor. It taught me a lot about the wild amount of manipulation producers use to get good content.
Anyway, this song reminds me of that show.
Phantogram is one of the best synth-pop bands to come out of the 2010s, and their vibe fits perfectly with all that drama. Highly recommend watching Unreal and binging Phantogram’s catalog while you do.
“Vernie” – Blind Melon
I grew up with a little Blind Melon, mostly their self-titled debut. I remember seeing the Soup album cover around a lot, but I never sat down to really listen to it until recently.
This song is perfect.
My parents always tell the story of how my dad asked my mom to see Blind Melon and she said no. A few months (or maybe years?) later, he asked again—and she said yes! But then Shannon Hoon (their lead singer) overdosed on tour... and the rest of the tour was canceled.
Anyway. This song and this album? They rock.
“Wound Up Here (By Holdin’ On)” – Wednesday
Sorry, but I can’t post about “top songs” and not include something by North Carolina SUPERSTARS Wednesday. Their newest record Bleeds drops in September and I am so hyped.
This song fucks. Hard.
Fun fact: Someone posted that their favorite line from the song is “you saw a pitbull puppy pissin' off a balcony,” and it was then that I realized... she was saying pitbull puppy, not pickle puppy. I will forever say pickle puppy , though.
Also, loving the MJ backing vocals at the end.
Wednesday always hits. Never misses.
HM: “Elderberry Wine” – perfect song for kissin’ on a park bench, y’know?
Honorable Mentions:
“Patience” – Tame Impala
Roll down your windows, crank the bass, and blast this at sunset. Trust me.
“Spitting Off the Edge of the World” – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Only came out in 2022, but it takes me back to middle school. In a good way.
“gb/ol/hl/nf” – Oso Oso
Blast it after band practice while driving through Gordon Square. Peak vibes.
“Panama” – Van Halen
Hot summer day staple. Great for a pre- or post-baseball game drive.
“Sexy Villain” – Remi Wolf
Pure club energy. Exactly what I need to get through the day.
“Birdseed” – Merce Lemon
My boss asked me to check her out—now I’m obsessed. Her voice really scratches that brain itch. If you like soft albums with a touch of country twang, you’ll love her.
“Medicine” – Momma
It’s Momma. Come on. Had to include one of their songs.
“Knowing You” – Hello Mary
Discovered them through Audiotree (highly recommend). Their newest album is a no-skip for me.
“Basic Being Basic” – Djo
Perfect morning song. This album is going to be on my end-of-year list for sure.
“Die (and Rot)” – Babe Haven
Classic post-club, scream-in-the-car-with-your-friends banger. I love my friends. And Babe Haven!!!
I put together a playlist of all the songs, including the HM's if you want to check it outttt!!!
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