Recommendations of the Editorial team
What does a summer album need? Fun, sun, sweat, sex, gloss, beats, rhymes and life. Nothing too profound, nothing heavy, but music to dance, drift, sing along or the first criminal slip. Songs that you hear and think in winter: “It ran when I got this sunburn, the tattoo or hickey.” Here is a short salute on 10 of the coolest summer plates ever – hits, insider tips, classics. Everyone guarantees: hotter, louder summer.
Japandroids – Celebration Rock (2012)
Guitar noise, wild drums, riffs such as punches, slogans about girls and youth – rock & roll. Two punk dudes made of Vancouver provide well-known hooks that burn here like never before. Message: “We don’t have anything that is worth living for? Of course we have that!” Perfect soundtrack to start a new summer with the air guitar.
The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
With this album, the Beatles practically invented the summer album: longed for a long time, discussed, discussed again and again. Soundtrack of the Summer of Love, alongside Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, Moby Grape and the Doors. Even after tens of runs there are details: Bongos in “Getting Better”, the bass in “With a Little Help from My Friends”, the Proto-Metal guitar reef at the beginning.
Run-DMC-Raising Hell (1986)
In 1986 her year was: Run, DMC and Jam Master Jay ran everywhere. MTV Pushte “Walk This Way”, but the real boards were “My Adidas”, “Peter Piper” or the party bangs “It’s Tricky” and “You Be Illin ‘”. Hard, funny, full of energy-hip-hop that brings summer to a boil.
Liz Phair – Exile in Guyville (1993)
“I loved my life and i hated you”-this is how an album full of poisonous one-liner, guitar melodies such as Sangria in August and songs about love, sex and disappointments. From “Fuck and Run” to “Divorce Song”: Every number has Rohe Kraft that fits perfectly on summer nights.
Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique (1989)
After Licensed to Ill, they were thought to be a joke – until Paul’s Boutique changed everything in July ’89. Sample fireworks from the Dust Brothers, psychedelic hip-hop, which immediately became a classic. Not a “Fight for your right, part Two”, but art for eternity. Rest in Peace, MCA.
Al Green – Call Me (1973)
The epitome of Sommer-Soul: Al Green’s voice melts on “Call Me”, “You Ought to be with me” and “Have you be making out ok”. His outbursts of falsett sound like biblical walls that collapse. Producer Willie Mitchell provides moist summer nights with Memphis Grooves.
Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back (1988)
The summer ’88 was hip-hop gold-but public enemy blew up. Siren, Beats, Chuck d’s Power, Flavs Flavs Humor – From “Don’t Believe the Hype” to “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos”. Louder than every bomb and a heat hammer to this day.
Kiss – Alive! (1975)
Summer, party, beer and “Rock & Roll All Nite” – KISS delivered with Alive! The ultimate soundtrack for parking lot rockers and tequila fans. Paul Stanley: “It’s so hot outside! You need something to cool down.” Answer: This plate, turned out loudly.
The Beach Boys – Wild Honey (1967)
Summer albums were their specialty, but Wild Honey best captures the rough feeling of California beach dirt. Soul by Carl Wilson, party mood with “How She Boogalooed IT”, A-Cappella final “Mama Says”. A 24-minute flash of surf, soul and depth.
Prince and the Revolution – Purple Rain (1984)
The summer album of all summer albums. 1984 was already full of pop hits, but Prince towered over with “When Doves Cry”, “Let’s Go Crazy”, “I would the 4 U”. The epic title piece is Pure Katharsis. Purple Rain remains the undisputed king of the hot season.