With restrictions starting to ease, we find ourselves gearing up to say goodbye to the hellscape of 2020 and, on cue, the Aussie summer is here to fill us all with those warm sunny vibes. It’s out with the lockdowns and in with hanging out, as BBQs, beach parties, road trips, bespoke festivals and over-competitive games of backyard cricket are all back on the menu.
Whether you’re doing your best Bunnings impersonation on the BBQ, catching a wave down the coast or having a few cold ones overlooking this great southern land, chances are you need a soundtrack to these precious memories you’re creating.
Lucky for you, we’ve made a list of the songs we’re tipping will become the Songs of the Summer, meaning all you have to do is press play and enjoy!
The Kid LAROI – ‘SO DONE’
We’re SO DONE with 2020, which makes this addictively catchy bop from The Kid LAROI our perfect summer song. Accompanied primarily by the most summer of all instruments, the ukelele, The Kid LAROI exercises some relationship demons as he turns heartbreak into a celebration. Throw this on at 11:59 on NYE and yell “I’m done, SO DONE” when midnight hits.
Harry Styles – ‘Watermelon Sugar’
If you’re anything like us at Music Feeds, summer is all about that carefree party vibe. On ‘Watermelon Sugar’ Harry Styles lends his maturing pop-voice to a surefire summer party anthem. A big, brassy, bold pop banger with a chorus made for being sung at the top of your lungs with a group of strangers that are soon to be friends.
Miley Cyrus – ‘Prisoner’ (feat. Dua Lipa)
Individually Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa know a thing or two about producing summer anthems, so it’s no surprise that this disco-punk duet is a straight-up party starter. A showcase of what each artist does well, this is yet another crowning moment for Miley’s maturation into a modern pop icon.
Sigala x James Arthur ‘Lasting Lover’
This danceable bit of pop started out life as a Lewis Capaldi acoustic number, and it retains all of the emotional resonance here, with Sigala and James Arthur finding a way to amplify the song’s hooks, injecting a rather familiar and addictive synth lead break and giving everything a club-worthy treatment.
Jawsh 685, Jason Derulo – ‘Savage Love’
New Zealand producer Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo team up to deliver a dancehall vibe that is perfect for long summer nights. After its initial viral blow up on TikTok, this track went on to earn Jason Derulo his first Billboard No. 1 hit in 11 years before proceeding to take over the charts, globally.
Tate McRae – ‘You Broke Me First’
Tate McRae walks a fine line between empathy and self-empowerment here, crafting a sublime piece of modern pop that’ll have you tearing up one minute and singing along defiantly about moving on the next. Sorry 2020, but you broke me first.
Lil Nas X ‘- Holiday’
Lil Nas X trades in his spurs for Santa’s sleigh here, bringing his brand of country-tinged hip-hop to the North Pole for a festive romp. A non-denominational holiday hit in waiting, this will probably be playing while your 13-year-old brother unpacks his PS5 on Christmas morning.
Miley Cyrus – ‘Midnight Sky’
A thumping disco bassline, killer groove and some ’80s synths give this empowerment anthem some real floor filler potential, but it is Miley’s powerhouse raw vocals that make this song the absolute jam that it is.
Ritt Momney – ‘Put Your Records On’
Ritt Momney’s gorgeous cover of Corinne Bailey Rae’s hit has been an iso highlight for us at Music Feeds HQ and it would be no surprise if it became one of the chilled out feel-good hits of the summer. Just put the record on.
BTS – ‘Dynamite’
The biggest pop group on the planet release their most accessible bop yet. A hook-filled, horn featuring, synth-driven, floor-filler with breezy lyrics full of affirmation and joy. Everything about this screams summer hit. Don’t fight it, it’s dynamite.
Tones & I – ‘Fly Away’
The breakthrough artist of last summer makes a play for the 2020 honours with this stadium-sized, gospel-influenced hit about genuine happiness. One of the most wholesome pop songs in years, it’ll make the perfect soundtrack for your summer escape to Tones’ hood, the ‘ninch.
Harry Styles – ‘Golden’
Smooth grooves and a nostalgic pop-sheen provide an ideal canvas for the soulful modern-pop vocals on this Harry Styles hit. Plus, the music video was one of the best 2020 had to offer. Running in slow motion through a sun-soaked Italian coastal town with a grinning Harry Styles, it’s the stuff Pintrest boards are made of.
Paul Woolford x Diplo x Kareen Lomax – ‘Looking For Me’
Every summer needs a dance hit, this is the one for 2020. Don’t overthink it, just turn this up, hit the floor and let your instincts do the rest.
24k Goldn ‘Mood’ (feat. Iann Dior)
If you’re on TikTok chances are you already know this one (and its dance). ‘Mood’ is a certified earworm that blends elements of melancholy and escapism, creating an introspective emo-rap bop that somehow doubles as an uplifting party anthem. No wonder it has topped charts in Aus and across the globe.
