UTG LIST: Essential Songs Of Summer 2013

Mondays usually suck. A Lot. We know this and so do you, so we thought we would make a change and offer you something fantastic at the beginning of the week to help carry you through to the freedom of Friday afternoon.

Summer is officially underway, and UTG is here to ensure your parties, BBQs, and road trips have the absolute best musical accompaniment under the sun. After hours of debate, as well a solid thirty minutes spent laughing at “We Can’t Stop” gifs, our entire team has settled on a collection of tracks spanning the world of music that are guaranteed to improve your life in the months ahead. You’re going to spend the Summer making memories that last a lifetime, shouldn’t the soundtrack be just as memorable? Click below to view our picks for the essential songs of Summer 2013.

As with any list this open ended, we’re sure a few gems have slipped our mind that readers would benefit from hearing in the months ahead. After you review our selections, comment at the end of this post and let us know which songs you’ll have on repeat this Summer. Who knows? You may help someone discover the next band to change their lives.

UTG’s Essential Songs Of Summer 2013

 

“Work” (Remix) – A$AP Ferg. Featuring Schoolboy Q, French Montana, Trinidad James, and A$AP Rocky

There are probably a dozen hip hop songs sitting in my iTunes that could have filled this position, but none of them offer the kind of boundless energy that this track exudes. From the moment you hear the opening notes it’s clear something big is on the way, and once the beat drops it becomes essentially impossible for anyone to sit still. The bass goes hard, the emcees go harder, and when it all comes together you have a song that is as exciting as any single track could hope to be. Not a day has passed in June without this song spinning at least once at UTG HQ, and as long as I have anything to say about it we’ll keep it in rotation for weeks to come. – James Shotwell, Founder/Editor

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/91990553″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

“We Can’t Stop” – Miley Cyrus

If you don’t like this song you either have no soul or simply don’t care for pop music as confectionery as cotton candy at your local county fair. Whatever your reason, I would advise you seek therapy as soon as possible because Miley’s latest is the audio equivalent to sunshine. It’s a song so full of good vibrations it manages to make you feel dirty without uttering a single profanity. Throw care to the wind, grab some pasties or your favorite sandwich made of money, and crank this mindless anthem on a hot July night. I guarantee you’ll have a good time. – James Shotwell, Founder/Editor

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/95223130″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]


“Overdose” – Little Daylight

Much like David Bowie’s “Modern Love,” this jam from Brooklyn’s Little Daylight makes me drop any and every thing I’m doing to dance my ass off the second it starts. As soon as those initial drums and synths kick in, you better back up because I can’t promise that my flailing arms won’t leave some marks. The pulsating rhythm, feel-good hooks, and massive, infectious chorus are everything you need in a Summer jam. I will be taking “Overdose” to the beach on several occasions this Summer and I can almost guarantee that anyone within my vicinity will join in on the fun that ensues. – Brian Lion, Front Page Editor

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/76586776″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

“Pilgrim” – MØ

This Danish badass has been really taking over my iTunes this year and “Pilgrim” is an essential Summer track for me in 2013. With a massive beat and a funky, ska-like horn section to accompany MØ’s soulful vocal flow, this song is not only unique, but it’s a lot of fun and something I would love to hear at every Summer party I attend. – Brian Lion, Front Page Editor

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/55714450″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]


“Get Lucky” – Daft Punk Feat. Pharrell

This is the quintessential Summer song. Laid back groove, great for a night of drinking and dancing and summertime fun, because who doesn’t imagine staying up all night in the summer, enjoying the heat and the friends and love surrounding you, and maybe getting lucky? – Kellie Gannon, Head of Photography

 

“Beat It” – Sean Kingston Feat. Chris Brown & Wiz Khalifa

This song oozes Summer lust. Dirty lyrics, great beat, this song isn’t shy with its message. It’s 2013, Summer love seems to be a concept of the past, but Summer lust is a very real thing. This song will put anyone in a fun, feisty, playful mood. Sounds like the soundtrack for a scandalous mansion pool party to me, and wouldn’t you know, that’s the setting for the music video. – Kellie Gannon, Head of Photography

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/87997376″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

“Clarity” – ZEDD feat. Foxes

This track just screams Summer. Super smooth throughout, then hits you hard with that fist-pumping beat. Great track for anyone throwing a little shindig at the crib that just want things to get a little more exciting. I know I’ll personally be bumping this track all Summer long driving to the beach with the pals. – Corbin Alvae, Event Photographer

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/61927322″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

“Boomerang” – The Summer Set

Every time I listen to this track, automatically the first thing that just comes to my head are “summer relationships.” This track is perfect for any couple looking to have that one Summer song to jam to while together out on a road trip enjoying each other’s company. – Corbin Alvae, Event Photographer

 

“This Summer” – Superchunk

I’ve always been a fan of older pop-punk bands like Superchunk, Millencolin, and MXPX. Coincidentally, I distinctively remember listening to all of them for the very first time in the same summer. So when Superchunk came out with their This Summer 7″ last June that featured all of these seemingly motivational lyrics to have the best Summer yet, I knew the single would remain on my Summer playlists for a long time… and it did. – Adrian Garza, Review and News Writer

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/49380735″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

“Ocean Avenue” – Yellowcard

Not-so-surprising pick for someone who was born and raised in a Florida beach town, right? This song by Jacksonville’s Yellowcard is the perfect pick for a trip to the pier to catch the sunset (or sunrise, if you live on the east coast). – Adrian Garza, Review and News Writer

 

“Year of the Glad” – Marnie Stern

Summer is a time for running out in the sunshine, road trips, beach weekends, barbeque and enjoying the fresh air. “Year of the Glad” rings in the Summer with a melody that makes you smile and feel like a kid excited for Summer vacation. – Leanne Cushing, Review and News Writer

 

“Stuck In My Id” – Reptar

The super fun indie pop band, Reptar, is always a great listen during the summer. Their catchy music, stemmed out of their hot, humid home of Athens, GA is made for this time of year. “Stuck In My Id” talks about a love and trying to get them back, which if you watched many Summer camp movies, is a common theme. – Leanne Cushing, Review and News Writer

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/18970625″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

“Ain’t It Fun” – Paramore

I went to a pool party yesterday. By stepping out of my home, I accepted that I would be listening to the radio for the entirety of the afternoon, something I don’t often do. Naturally, Paramore’s “Still Into You” played during my time in the pool. I love that song, but this one plays less often and is equally fun. – Jacob Tender

 

“Young Volcanoes” – Fall Out Boy

Nothing screams campfire sing-along more than this infectious jingle. Grab your acoustic and the cooler, toss some logs on the flame and get loud with your friends. You deserve it. –Jacob Tender

 

“Alive” – Empire Of The Sun

Easily one of the most powerful, influential, and catchiest songs I’ve heard in awhile. The band wanted to create a more Americanized album for their latest release, Ice On The Dune, and boy did they take it to another level. A feel good track at its finest with zero flaws. – Mike Sacchetti, Review and News Writer

 

“Bound 2” – Kanye West

If you’re in the minority and Yeezus didn’t quite live up to your expectations, it’s safe to say that all Kanye West fans can get down with the album’s closing track, “Bound 2.” Using a classic sample from 1971, West brings back the soulful samples which made us fall in love with him in the first place. If you’re expecting a beat drop on this track then you haven’t heard enough about the minimalistic vision for the album. However, this track has the perfect amount of emotional elements to solicit a “feel good” response. Roll the windows down, and kick your feet up on the dash cause “Jerome’s in the house.” – Mike Sacchetti, Review and News Writer

 

“Get Free” – Major Lazer Feat. Amber Coffman

While Major Lazer may release their fair share of festival-ready twerk anthems, “Get Free” displays the notably tamer side of the Diplo-led project’s sound. Featuring a mellowed out, tropical beat complimented by the gorgeous vocals of Dirty Projectors’ Amber Coffman, this track is begging to be played whenever you decide to kick back and relax during the upcoming summer months. – Michael Giegerich, News Writer

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/44172532″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

“Closer” – Tegan And Sara

Tegan And Sara went with more of a pop sound on their album Heartthrob, and each song should be a part of everyone’s Summer playlist. “Closer” is one song in particular that should be playing at your beach party, or on the stereo on your road trip. It’s impossible to have a bad time with these two lovely ladies serenading you for three and a half minutes. – Kriston McConnell, Review And News Writer

 

“You’re Gonna Love This” – 3oh!3

How can you say no to some electronic hip hop performed by two guys from Boulder, Colorado? If you want to dance, 3oh!3’s “You’re Gonna Love This” is a must have. They are all about having fun and letting go, so queue them up and get your 3oh!3 on. – Kriston McConnell, Review And News Writer

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/52487291″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

“Alone Together” – Fall Out Boy

My personal favourite off Fall Out Boy’s stunning resurgence Save Rock and Roll, “Alone Together” evokes the kind of restless nostalgia and yearning hidden within every sleepy Summer town. The anthemic pop chorus is the very definition of Summer, but there’s something deeper and more distressed to this – a kind of longing and poignant willfulness that makes it more of a thinking man’s track for the season that’s in it. Grandiose and vibrant, this was made for orange sunsets and daydreaming. – Grace Duffy, Review and Feature Writer

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/96953640″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

“Devil’s Resting Place” – Laura Marling

This embraces the mysticism of the Summer season. Perhaps it’s a sign of where I come from (the Irish summer is generally wet and maybe slightly brighter, if never exactly balmy) but I associate the allure and otherworldliness of this song with childhood summers of thoughtful discovery, the ones that felt like they would never end. A comedown from the others, to be sure, but a rewarding and enchanting accompaniment to walks and reflections. – Grace Duffy, Reviews and Feature Writer

James Shotwell
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2 Responses to “UTG LIST: Essential Songs Of Summer 2013”

  1. Jerome says:

    *Jerome’s in the house, not jermone.

  2. KnowThySelfie says:

    How is Diane Young not on this?