Hype is a beautiful, yet cruel phenomenon. It can make or break a band in a second, transforming some obscure act into the flavour of the month. Of course, there are some things about hype that I will never understand. Take, for example, the Brits’ obsession for the ‘Christmas Number One’, which is basically the last single to top the charts in a given year. Seriously though, what’s so special about the pop song people are listening to while unwrapping the gifts they’ve received? Nevertheless, other hype-related traditions hold a special place in my heart. Among those, the yearly dilemma that consists in determining which single will be the ultimate summer song is always deliciously puzzling.
A perfect summer song must fit a complex series of criteria that go way beyond the simple fact that it reaches a certain level of popularity during the warmer months. Indeed, the lyrics must be obnoxiously brainless (or, at least, they must contain some silly rhymes), and the beat has to be simple enough for everyone around to sing along at your average pool party. In other words, I’m going to level down my usual excitement about The National, Arcade Fire, and Wolf Parade and try to discuss something else than depressive indie rock for once. Let’s see how this goes. Oh – I was just about to forget discussing what topics I believe a good summer song should avoid mentioning at all cost. Personal pet-peeves include umbrellas, girls kissing other girls and liking it, and California girls, or gurls, or however the hell she spells it.
Let the pool be open. Gamble your house, wife and children in betting on what will be this summer’s greatest hit.
Stars’ We Don’t Want Your Body is definitely one of the songs to which I’ve been listening the most in the past few weeks. The band has a long history of catchy tunes, but this very one radically shifts from Stars’ typical melodramatic aura and stands as shameless manifesto for light-heartedness. Amy Millan’s sensual voice embodies the soul of this treasure of pop music, which shall remain a hit for many more warm evenings to come.
The second song that will unmistakably remain as one of 2010’s landmark songs is Dance Yrslf Clean by LCD Soundsystem. James Murphy’s latest (and last) album with the collective covers a wide array of styles throughout various songs that all share the potential of becoming huge dancefloor hits.
Speaking of dancefloor hits, why not add a little Euro pop-dance to the mix? Robyn’s Body Talk Part I features high-quality pop singles, my personal favourite being Diplo-produced Dancehall Queen. I suggest that you start listening to this EP as soon as possible. That way, you’ll be in a better position to bash it and pretend that Robyn is a talentless puppet when this record becomes mainstream and popular. Learn your lessons from La Roux, my friends.
I’m well aware of the fact that this might be a controversial thing to say, but I’m a huge fan of M.I.A’s XXXO. And of Born Free. That’s right – I said it – I love dancing angrily to Born Free. Now can you please stop judging me and let me carrying on with this everlasting bonding moment with my favourite activist?
I’ve already talked at great length about Sleigh Bells on this blog, so I promise not to come back on the matter after mentioning that Treats is raw, aggressive and delightful. The entire album deserves attention, similarly to Montreal-based Misteur Vallaire’s latest record, Golden Bombay. Misteur Vallaire is a collective whose electro-jazz is slightly reminiscent of Bran Van 3000’s glorious days.
I’m pretty sure I’ve covered each and every song likely to draw the crowds’ attention this summer. Really, what else could possibly make us want to wear daisy dukes, bikinis on top? Oh, well.
