Sounds of the Summer

Five new tracks destined for your summer 2020 playlist

Whilst COVID-19 has ruined festival season, your home-based barbecues and cider drinking evenings still need a soundtrack. Here's five tunes that are must for this year's summer playlist-

1. The Key to Life on Earth - Declan McKenna

Bursting onto the scene with his 2015 release 'Brazil', a song documenting the 2014 FIFA World Cup scandal, Mckenna received high praise for his mature song writing at such a ripe age of just 17. Now, five years later, his second studio album is due to be released in August (pushed back from may due to COVID-19), and McKenna is still pushing politically infused music into the public eye.

'The Key to Life on Earth', bares less obvious messages to previous tracks such as 'Brazil' or 'British Bombs'. Released in mid-April, McKenna addresses notions of hostility towards those ignoring social norms.

Whilst the songs message questions trivialities of day to day life, McKenna offers a typically upbeat noise coupled with a sing-along chorus that creates a felicitous front over the perhaps less so lyrics.

2. Fake ID - Spyres

Scottish fourpiece Spyres could easily be one of the underground bands on the brink of a breakout in the coming months. Female vocalists Keira McGuire and Emily Downie are supported by Jude Curran (bass) and Alex White (drums), together coupling typical punk riffs with pop narratives.

'Fake ID', released February this year, tells the age-old tale of the struggles on an underage night on the town, something the group of teens are all too familiar with. Their truthful lyrics deliver descriptive images and the simplicity of the song makes for a recognisable interaction

The fun and youthful story is represented in the sound- including an aggressive middle eight that builds and builds to the point that if your head isn't nodding with the beat it will be with approval at the youngsters melodic song writing abilities.

3. A Modern Kind of Blue - Fuzzy Sun

Gaining a reputation through support slots with hometown friends Blossoms, Fuzzy Sun are begging to breakout from the shadow of Stockport's biggest band. If you've not dipped into big single 'Want Love' or the beautiful EP 'Warm Evening / Cold Morning' which offers four tracks for exactly those scenes, then you need to catch up.

'A Modern Kind of Blue' is bursting with sound for the summer months. The single, which they describe themselves through a variety of lexis- "Sentimental. Nostalgia. Suspicion. Retrospect. Toxic. Birth. Love. Death. Persistence. Melancholic. Ambivalence.", offers an introspective view of heart-ache yet the shimmering twang of optimism resides.

Fuzzy Sun have yet again produced a buoyant tune that is perfect for chilled out sunny evenings in the garden and ready-made for a festival two step.

4. Empathy for the Devil - Tim Burgess

Known as the frontman of Madchester band The Charlatans and for his currently bleach blonde bowl-cut, Tim Burgess this year released his fourth solo album 'I Love the New Sky'.

'Empathy for the Devil', released back in February, offers brit-pop-esc vocals on top of The Cure like strings. The title raises questions of morality and being able to understand other's emotions and ways of life.

Burgess's new tune has been gathering popularity on the radio in recent weeks, it's the epitome of a summer road trip classic. Come for the iconic Charltans sound, stay for the charm of the violins.

5. It's You - BIG TIME

BIG TIME is the latest project from Sydney rockers Johnny and Matty Took. The two brothers, who made their name for differing Aussie outfits DMA's and PLANET, have now joined forces to release demos created in together in their youth.

Their debut single 'It's You' does not disappoint. The Took brothers bring together elements of their other bands to produce a song yearning out for the summer months.

Took described the track as a love letter, stating the song details "two people who think they want each other, but whose relationship is kinda just fuelled by drugs and sex."

Despite its not so positive story, 'It's You' holds a fast tempo which puts you straight on an Aussie beach, lapping up the sun and the waves.