If you’re in Kingston this summer, you know this one has been a scorcher.
As much as I’d love to say I’ve spent my Kingston summer languishing at the pier, blasting summer bops, and cooling off with a dip in the lake, this isn’t the case.
The weather in Kingston has been sizzling lately, and so has the music scene. Artists have been dropping singles, EPs and albums like it’s hot, and I can barely keep up.
This playlist has 10 summer songs that’ll get you through the muggy days. Whether that involves getting your tan on, or daydreaming about where you’d rather be, let these tracks remind you to enjoy the rays you catch. You’ll miss them once winter rolls around.
This playlist includes a mixture of artists who got their start in Kingston, as well as tunes from farther afield, with a throwback thrown in for good measure. There’s one thing they all have in common though—they’re fire.
“Peach Ginger Tea” by Luella
This Kingston artist has captured that mellow summer feeling. It’s a tall glass of iced tea that sounds pretty refreshing if you ask me.
To me, this song is a smooth psychedelic number with a catchy hook that won’t get out of my head. It’s perfect for relaxing in a sun-induced stupor. If you listen closely though, it might also be the soundtrack to your confusing summer fling. That’s cool with me though because summer wouldn’t be summer without a little drama.
“Cool Me Down” by The Black Seeds
This song has been my summer anthem for a long time now, and this year is no different. Once the temperature gets above 20 degrees, it becomes a regular on my rotation.
Hailing from my hometown, Wellington, New Zealand, The Black Seeds capture the summer feeling with a funky reggae sound, specific to the Pacific.
It’s seriously chill, and I dare you not to bop your head while listening. It’s best enjoyed in the car with friends, waving your arm out the window like you’re in some music video, topped off with an ocean breeze. While the gusts over Lake Ontario aren’t quite the same, but they’ll do.
“THE WAY SHE KNOWS” by Alex Mick
After experiencing Alex Mick’s surfy sounds live in Kingston this summer, this song has been on repeat for me. Released last summer, it’s a shame I didn’t find it sooner.
“THE WAY SHE KNOWS” is mega catchy but also takes you on a bit of a journey. Beneath its breezy surface, it’s musically dynamic, with a hint of an old school feeling I can’t quite put my finger on. It sounds how summer feels, with a stand-out high note mid-song that will both surprise and delight you.
“Jokerman” by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan superfans, don’t come for me. To be honest with you, I’m not entirely sure what the lyrics are about. I couldn’t tell you exactly what the song means, but I can tell you this much: I love how it sounds.
Dylan said it was inspired by his time in the Caribbean and I believe him. You can hear the islands in this song, particularly in the percussion and laid-back bass.
Before the biopic starring Timothée Chalamet comes out, get to know this song to remind yourself of the real legend himself.
“Sizzling” by Daphni, Paradise
I’m so happy it’s summer, I could dance. And dance I shall.
Daphni, who you might know better as his other alias, Caribou, is one of my favourite electronic artists, and this song reminds me exactly why.
This song samples the 1981 track “Sizzlin’ Hot” by Paradise, and it’s an absolute ripper. It’s disco cranked up to the max, with an incessant beat and twinkling percussion that makes it impossible not to groove.
I mean, it’s in the name. This song is hot!
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