By John Vo
As corny as it may sound, music has the power to move people in both a literal and figurative manner and bring them together. The soundtrack of this summer, brought to you by The Eyeopener, did just that. With diverse music genres and thematic lyrics, we’ve tried to encapsulate what summer 2022 has been all about.
To wrap up this summer we never want to end, here are 10 songs that we think truly represented this year’s “Hot Girl Summer.” So, whether you’re at the beach or in your own bedroom, these tracks are sure to give your summer a worthwhile final bow.
“This Hell” by Rina Sawayama
Rina Sawayama continues to reinvigorate pop music with her eclectic weaving of musical genres. “This Hell” is is a modern pop, rock and country song all in one. Pop music will never be dull when there are artists like Sawayama producing fantastic music and breaking barriers as an Asian-American artist.
“About Damn Time” by Lizzo
It was certainly about damn time (pun intended) that Lizzo came back, and she did so with one of her most feel-good songs to date. In “About Damn Time,” Lizzo urges listeners to move forward and celebrate the good moments in life like we all deserve to.
“POP!” by Nayeon
You can always count on K-Pop artists to release fun tunes for the summertime. TWICE member Nayeon’s solo debut song “POP!” brought colourful outfits, dance-worthy choreography, and a melody that’s sure to get stuck in your head. With a catchy chorus, bold instrumental and overall refreshing energy, Nayeon’s song cemented that bubblegum pop is here to stay.
“Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” by Kate Bush
It’s safe to say that Stranger Things is one of the most influential shows of the decade. This latest season reintroduced one of Kate Bush’s hits to a new generation. “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” became an unexpected song of the summer and also sparked a hilarious conversation about what song everyone would play to escape from Vecna’s mind.
“Bad Habit” by Steve Lacy
Steve Lacy’s “Bad Habit” is the ideal song to sway back and forth to in your room alone. The chill production and layered vocals are soothing to the ears. Listening to the track feels like watching a late-night sunset filled with orange hues. Lacy may be singing about bad habits, but listening to this song on repeat is nothing but a good one.
“Glimpse of Us” by Joji
Contrary to popular belief, not all summer songs have to be upbeat. Japanese singer Joji slows it down with “Glimpse of Us,” a piano ballad featuring breathtaking vocals recounting memories of a long-lost love. For anyone dealing with a broken heart or feeling a bit melancholic, this is the perfect song to play in the background during a late-night thinking (or crying) session.
“Late Night Talking” by Harry Styles
“Late Night Talking” is a groovy and laid-back track Harry Styles delivers with a perfect playfulness that matches the rest of his album, Harry’s House. A great addition to any road trip playlist, this song can be the soundtrack to your picture-perfect movie moment as you cruise down the highway with the wind in your hair.
“Massive” by Drake
Fans of Drake were in a frenzy when he surprise-dropped his latest studio album Honestly, Nevermind. Sonically, the album ventures into experimental territory for the Canadian artist with its emphasis on house music, most evidently heard in “Massive.” The song is the quintessential tune to be played at any club or late-night party.
“Summer Renaissance” by Beyoncé
Drake wasn’t the only artist who surprised fans with a new album. Beyoncé’s newest album Renaissance opts for a dance-pop and house-infused sound. “Summer Renaissance” works as both an uptempo song perfect to dance to and a callback to disco icon Donna Summer.
“Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift
Rounding out the list, how could we forget the song heard on every other TikTok you scrolled through this year? Released in 2019, “Cruel Summer” garnered mainstream attention this year as the song trended on social media and was used in the teenage rom-com The Summer I Turned Pretty’s soundtrack. This dreamy song makes you want to live your best “main character” life.
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