Music For Your Weekend

Today is the first day of Autumn, and it even sort of feels like it here in Los Angeles… So with that in mind, let’s take a look back at the summer that was. It seems that we made it through the season without a consensus pop hit – save for maybe “Despacito.” However, that certainly doesn’t mean that there weren’t plenty stone cold summer jams well deserving of your time and attention. Here are a few of my personal favorites.

Flight Facilities – “Arty Boy”

In a perfect world, this would have resoundingly been THE song of the summer, not just for this summer but many summers to come. In reality, this pure ray of aural sunshine doesn’t even seem to have reached the ubiquity level of Flight Facilities’ break out single “Crave You.” It’s not too late though! Spin it now, and let the deliciously smooth Sade vocal vibes carry you through the non-Summer months ahead.

Kelela – “LMK”

This one is less an immediate dance floor killer, and more a slow burn. Perfect for backyard barbeques, coastal drives, and pretty much any other laid back, hang out scenario you can imagine. Speaking of perfect laid back, hang out scenarios – Kelela is part of Solange’s Cosmic Journey happening this Sunday night at the Hollywood Bowl. It’s the last night of KCRW’s World Festival, the full line-up is spectacular, and tickets are still available!

Poolside – “Strange Overtones”

The very fact of their name being Poolside gives this local DJ/production duo a major advantage when one is considering songs of the summer. This advantage is well deserved though. Poolside appeared on the scene years ago with their signature “Daytime Disco” sound fully formed. All this time later, it remains as solid and satisfying as ever, particularly on this cover of David Byrne and Brian Eno’s “Strange Overtones,” from their summer release very appropriately entitled Heat.

(Kelela photo by Socrates Mitsios)