This summer, “I’m working late, cause I’m a singer” has probably dominated your social media feed in the form of memes, Sabrina Carpenter edits, and astoundingly creative transition videos.
Maybe you’ve hopped on Charli xcx’s “Apple” dance trend with your friends, or watched TikTokers point out people they think are “brat”.
Doubtless, the summer of 2024 has been an exhilarating one for many musical artists and doubly exciting for many music lovers in need of something new.
The party really started with Sabrina Carpenter’s instant hit single “Espresso”, released in April, just in time for the song and its summer-y, carefree vibe to begin to feel like a genuine celebration.
Listening to the song, it’s obvious why “Espresso” has reached such insane heights. It maintains Carpenter’s trademark breezy, catchy pop style in a way that keeps the refreshing tune and bold lyrics on your mind.
Another single, “Please Please Please” came soon after, once again dominating the charts as Carpenter’s first number one single on Billboard Hot 100 and raising pop listeners’ anticipation for a new album.
It’s no surprise, then, that since the unabashedly sassy “Short n’ Sweet” was released on Aug. 23, the music world has gone insane.
Another music phenom of the summer has been Charli xcx and the wildfire spread of her June album, “BRAT”.
The album’s unapologetic tone has become a social media sensation, starting many trends. It has even affected the tide of national politics through Gen Z’s endorsement of Kamala Harris as “brat”—a complimentary descriptor for someone who’s not afraid to be themselves.
The album is a little bit messy with a lot of self-confidence, which is exactly what this generation needs as we get through the everyday insanity of life.
With “BRAT”, Charli xcx has definitely cemented her position as the electropop IT girl of the summer.
For a gentler musical journey, look to beabadoobee’s “This is How Tomorrow Moves”.
Released at the end of August, the soothing tracks are the perfect backdrop for last-minute summer reading sessions.
The songs maintain the same intimacy and gorgeous vocals that drew people into past albums, but come together to create an airy, oceanic vibe. Listening to the album conjures up visions of endless skies and smooth, windswept beaches through its comforting lyrics and delicate instrumentation.
“Girl Song”, the album’s sixth track, uses soft piano to establish its nostalgic atmosphere. The lyrics are sung just above a whisper, as elusive and pure as seafoam. In terms of storyline, it’s a simple song about “just a girl” figuring life out as she goes, and isn’t that relatable?
Released a few weeks before summer, Billie Eilish’s May album, “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT”, has contributed significantly to the season’s overarching mood. It retains the familiar ethereal quality of Eilish’s music, bringing a lingering wistfulness to every Instagram story posted alongside its songs.
“HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” is also one of Eilish’s boldest releases. It emphasizes her vocals in a way previous albums have pulled away from, and each song is its own, fully developed plotline.
“CHIHIRO” is perhaps the most surreal of the songs, which follows, as it’s partially inspired by the folklore-rich Studio Ghibli film “Spirited Away”. The lyrics are as cryptic as ever, but this song is set apart by its gorgeous chorus, which effortlessly showcases Eilish’s voice on a muted backing track.
This summer has been a very memorable one for fans of all styles and genres of music, surpassing every summer of the 2020s so far in its abundance of quality albums. But don’t grieve that it’s over—the changing of seasons doesn’t mean we have to store away these newfound tracks for a warmer time.
As the school year begins to pick up its pace and vacation days fade out of view, there’s comfort to be found in music: at any time, simply put on “Beaches” by beabadoobee, or “360” by Charli xcx, and let the song’s magic sweep you back into those relaxing summer days.
