The Sound of Summer

Although the current torrential downpour might suggest differently, summer is here. To celebrate the beginning of festival season and the end of exams I've put together a small selection of some of my favourite songs for this time of year. Both old and new, I hope you enjoy.

Don't Look Back In Anger//Oasis

Click here to watch the music video

The main reason why this song is at the top of list is because right now, it is so important. Don't Look Back In Anger has become synonymous with the message of pulling together and supporting each other in the hideous aftermath of the recent terrorist attacks. What happened in Manchester, and now London, is simply heartbreaking, but seeing the people of Manchester offer their houses to people, give food and drinks, donate money, get people home safely gives me faith in humanity. Don't Look Back In Anger is an important song.

T-Shirt Weather//Circa Waves

Click here to watch the music video

A very cliched and generic choice, but there's no denying that this is THE summery song. It's lighthearted indie pop at it's finest, and whilst I definitely prefer newer stuff from them, this is the songs I'm most excited to see at Leeds Festival. If this doesn't make you want to sing your heart out with your friends at a gig, I don't know what will.

Tonight//Misfires

Click here to visit their YouTube Channel and check out their other brilliant songs. 

This unsigned Indie Rock four piece are making waves, having just finished a UK tour (gig review on its way). Shouty and rocky, you won't regret giving this lot a listen.

Cut Me and I'll Bleed//Blossoms

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If you haven't heard Blossoms yet, you need to sort that out. They are BRILLIANT. Cut Me and I'll Bleed is my personal favourite, but their entire self titled album is amazing, and it all has the summer-y vibe you want when you're pitching your tent in the rain.

Kids//MGMT

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It may not be new, but it whether psychedelic rock is your thing or not, you will love this. It's melodic and catchy and will be stuck in your head for days.

I Am The Walrus//The Beatles
Click here to hear it on YouTube
Magical Mystery Tour might well be my favourite Beatles album, although it's a hard choice to make. I Am The Walrus is simply a brilliant song, which is guaranteed to make you smile. If for some strange reason you haven't heard this song, you absolutely have to listen to it now.

Like A Rolling Stone//Bob Dylan
Click here to see it on YouTube
Another old-y but gold-y, this song is epic. Long enough to enjoy properly, this song is the sunny, slightly drunken garden song you're ever likely to hear. I just don't have the words to explain what an amazing song it is.

Welcome To The Kingdom//Ellie Rose
Click here to see the music video
A new discovery which I'm very surprised I like. Having stumbled across her on Instagram , I ended up listening to her. I am unbelievably impressed. As far as I know, she's released a handful of songs (review to come soon), and this slightly pop-y but without being nauseating tune is absolutely brilliant, catchy and summery. Of all the songs on this list, this is the one I've been listening to over and over... well worth checking out.


Honourable mentions:

>Wall Of Glass//Liam Gallagher

> Cigarettes and Alcohol//Oasis

> London Calling//The Clash

 >Anything//Catfish and the Bottlemen

 >Cigarette Smoke//Arctic Monkeys

 >Changes//David Bowie

>Be Who You Are//The Kooks

Black Honey

Recently, a friend recommended to me a band named Black Honey, telling me I needed to listen to them. Given her track record of having a good taste in music, I got on YouTube, and got listening to them.

What an excellent decision that was.

Black Honey are a Brighton based indie 4 piece, with Izzy Baxter on vocals and guitar, Chris Ostler on guitar, Tommy Taylor on bass and Tom Dewhurst on drums.

With plenty of guitar, the music isn’t far removed from classic rock, but songs like Headspin and Mocking Swing give them a more relaxed, calm sound than you would usually get from a rock band. To me, certain aspects of the guitar is reminiscent of The Strokes, which is a massive plus in my book. Izzy’s voice is highly reminiscent of Lana Del Rey, but with a faster, more punk-y sound.

They have supported well known bands like Catfish and the Bottlemen, and whilst I would definitely recommend them to Catfish fans, Black Honey have a very distinct sound which makes them different to the other indie bands around. They definitely fall more on the pop side of things, but they have enough of a punk-y, psychedelic vibe to make it ok in my book.

Having seen them live in Manchester, I can confidently say that they live up to all the hopes I had. I saw them at Manchester Deaf Institute on their headline tour with Dream Wife, and they were enthusiastic, animated and their stage presence was incredible.

If you are looking for a new band to listen to, I really do recommend listening to All My Pride or Corinne as an introduction to an incredible band whose newest single, Hello Today, is even more of a tune than anything they have released before.