Staff Playlist: September 2024

Listen in to Spark staffers’ “songs of the summer” and why these tracks embody the season for them.

Spark Staff

September 1, 2024

Alex Schwind

Graphic: Alex Schwind, Logo: Emma Vernon

CHOSEN BY SPARK STAFF

1. From Here by NxWorries (feat. Snoop Dogg & October London)

“

Duo Anderson Paak and producer Knxwledge deliver a fantastic single with smooth melodies and a vibrant instrumental. Snoop Dogg toes the line between talking and rapping in the most cool way imaginable and high notes from October London just exude the feeling of summer.

— Luke Viviano

2. CHIHIRO by Billie Eilish

“

This song along with the movies it’s based on, Spirited Away by Studio Ghibli, is amazing. Within the song Billie creates beautiful imagery and uses great metaphors that encapsulates her relationships. Truly an elegant song to come out of this summer.

— Aubrey Moore

3. Lots of Nothing by Spacey Jane

“

This song came on during a car ride while I was listening to one of my daily mix playlists (curated music based on listening habits) on Spotify. I immediately fell in love with the electric guitar, drums at the beginning of the song, and the voice of the main singer, Caleb Harper.

— Will Huelskamp

4. Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan

“

Pink Pony Club will definitely be my most listened to song of the summer. Not only is it a catchy nouveau retro song that is perfect for summer car rides, it’s also an inspiring song about finding a place where you can freely be yourself.

— Grace Callahan

5. The View Between Villages by Noah Kahan

“

With its beautiful bridge, this song perfectly emulates the freedom of summer. Like many Noah Kahan songs, it begins slow and the bridge uplifts the song and gives a nostalgic feel which aligns with me entering my senior year of high school.

— Addison Stallsmith

6. Pink Matter by Frank Ocean (feat. Andre 3000)

“

The second I step foot into my car I turn this song on. The flow and the lyrics put into this song is so beautiful and I get goosebumps listening to him sing. It is definitely a song that reminds me of summer and the love I feel for the season.

— Macie Manzardo

7. Don’t Let Me Down by Surfaces (feat. JVKE)

“

I’ve always loved the carefree and joyful vibe of Surfaces’ music and this song is the perfect example. JVKE’s verse adds an energetic layer to the relaxed style that gets carried through with the key change at the end of the song. The whole song is an upbeat dance party that I’ve had on repeat all summer.

— Savannah Robertson

8. What’s the use? by Mac Miller

“

I dove into Mac’s discography this summer and this is my favorite Mac song. I listened to it a lot this summer. The great baseline by thundercat in the background elevates it to another level and the flow on the song is just awesome. It gives such a funky but chill vibe at the same time.

— Max Earl

9. Somewhere Tonight by Beach House

“

This song was released about ten years ago but I always love to listen to it in the summer on a peaceful night. I think that it’s the perfect song to listen to while watching the sunset or just laying on the beach.

— Sophie Schaller

10. DOGTOOTH by Tyler, The Creator

“

This is the best song to play on full volume while driving with the windows down on a warm, summer day. It’s fun, catchy, and the kind of song you sing with your friends while driving around. It was my go-to song to blast on full volume whether I was sitting on the beach, sitting at a campfire, or driving around town.

— Allie Haucke

11. Lithonia by Childish Gambino

“

Over the summer I went to a Childish Gambino concert and was able to experience hearing this song live. It is one of the most touching, and upbeat songs I have heard from his new album and I find it being stuck in my head 24/7.

— Mia Huelskamp

12. Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar

“

It’s a pretty basic pick but I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a song so many times in just the first month of it dropping. Every time you got in a car with your friends or went to a party this song was playing. It’s not even just the song of the summer, it will be the song of the decade.

— Beck Lucas

13. Prom by SZA

“

I have been a SZA lover for so many years and even though CTRL is not a new album by any means, it is still constantly on repeat everywhere and anywhere I am. Prom has always stuck out to me because of its upbeat and hypnotizing melody and is definitely my favorite summer song.

— Gwen Gilbert

14. The Greatest by Lana Del Rey

“

Though it came out in 2019, everytime I listen to this song it feels like the first time. There are so many different ways to interpret the lyrics and I love finding new ways to connect it to my life. With its hypnotizing melody and melancholy lyrics it’s the perfect summer song for me.

— Joselyn Duff

15. Wildflower and Barley by Hozier

“

The sweet harmonization and the poetry of Hozier’s lyrics make this a fresh new addition to his well built discography. This song sounds like a soft breeze on a cool summer afternoon, with a warm glow spreading across the sky. It brings a sort of hazy comfort that is reminiscent of honeyed summer nights that follow hot summer days.

— Ashley Skinner

16. The Subway by Chappell Roan

“

I’ve been listening to this song religiously since I first heard the recording of it from the 2024 NYC Governer’s Ball Music Festival. Chappell Roan’s vocal abilities on this track are insane. The Subway feels like the essence of summer and New York are injected into the song and I still get chills every single time I listen to it.