Hot summer nights, mid July, baby! Yes, that's right. It's the middle of the summer and we're smack dab in the epicenter of a heat wave. No one can seem to shake the heat, not even the rain is helping.
And while I'm scurrying off to the beach somewhere, you may be gearing up for a cross-country road trip...or a rooftop bar somewhere in the city...or a night in with your friends. Regardless of everyone's weekend plans, it's imperative that we have a good playlist to listen to this weekend.
That's where I come in! I round up all of the new music released this week and pick out a few great songs to put into a Weekend Playlist. That way, you don't have to do all the work of searching through a bunch of new playlists in order to find the songs that are actually worth listening to.
This week is no different from the rest, another busy week trying to figure out which song will top the charts and compete with songs like "Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey and "Please, Please, Please" by Sabrina Carpenter for Song of the Summer. With so many new songs out, it makes the odds even greater that you'll find something you like.
So, without further ado, let's get listening!
Wallows- "Bad Remake"
Fans have been asking for Wallows to release "Bad Remake" for years. Ever since the band was doing live sessions for their debut album, Nothing Happens, which just celebrated its five year anniversary. Now, as the band releases an exclusive vinyl for its anniversary, "Bad Remake" is officially out for the world to hear.
The song is the epitome of surf rock: dreamy, nostalgic, and equally catchy. It's perfect for summer, sending you straight to the beaches of California. Something about the song sends you back to the 60's, when The Beach Boys were ever-so-popular...but at the same time, "Bad Remake" is a sign that Wallows has always had their sound figured out, and it will always work.
Glass Animals- "Show Pony"
Glass Animals long-awaited album, I Love You So F***ing Much, is finally here alongside single "Show Pony." The song itself is classic Glass Animals sound, the one that made us fall in love with hit song "Heat Waves." However, "Show Pony" has the same makings of a banger that everyone will love.
It's the tale of a relationship from start to finish. It's blunt and almost heartbreaking, but is masked with a melodic beat and lead singer Dave Bayley's unique vocals that make it an exciting beginning to an even better album.
MABEL- "Female Intuition"
A leading voice in R&B right now, MABEL can twist and turn her smooth vocals throughout any song and it sounds incredible. Her newest song, "Female Intuition" is the badass Destiny's Child-esque renaissance we've all been yearning for. It's empowering, sexy, and strong.
We certainly don't have enough celebrated female R&B artists in the game right now...and MABEL knows how to push boundaries in the best way with her music. "Female Intuition" is just another reason she's so iconic.
Madison Beer- "15 Minutes"
There are times where I've thought Madison Beer deserves the same hype that pop girls like Sabrina Carpenter are receiving. With "15 Minutes", Beer brings the heat with a bouncy, entrancing pop song that oozes sex appeal in a dream-like melody. It's different from what the rest are doing, and that's a good thing.
Her vocals are as solid as ever with "15 Minutes" and it's just another should-be hit for Beer.
ROLE MODEL- "Scumbag"
A fun loving track is exactly what we needed on this playlist. Thankfully, ROLE MODEL is here to deliver what he knows best: heartbreaking lyrics masked with upbeat melodies and ear-wormy hooks. "Scumbag" happily screams lyrics like "I'm a scumbag! But you stand by me" during its chorus.
It's about seeing someone for who they really are, and loving them even if they suck a bit. We've all been there, ROLE MODEL is just being honest.
Neon Trees- "El Diablo"
A new era of Neon Trees is underway: one where the band is more raw and honest than ever, willing to bare it all to their listeners. With new album, Sink Your Teeth, written over the course of three years, a lot has changed for the band. Newest single, "El Diablo", is high energy right off the bat with an essence of pop rock.
It's perfect for a night out with your friends, pure fun the entire way through. "El Diablo" is a song that you may not have pinned to be written and performed by Neon Trees, but somehow their new sound works perfectly. It's edgy, but not in a way that doesn't work.
Gallant- "Fly On The Wall (Osaka Version)"
"Fly On The Wall" is an emotional and introspective track that gently washes over you as soon as you turn it on. With deep, soothing vocals, Gallant prepares for the release of his sophomore album, Zinc., where he stays true to himself as an artist. "Fly On The Wall" is a perfect beginning to the album, soft and building, reminiscent of an argument.
“It came together as an honest and visceral story I’d been trying to write for a long time,” says Gallant. “It’s focused on the lyrics. The chorus reminded me of saying something I regretted in the heat of themoment during an argument.”
Popstars have been the backbone of the music industry for decades upon decades. There were OG divas like Whitney Houston and Britney Spears. There were Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Rihanna. But it felt like we were in need of a fresh sound.
Most of our original pop girls are onto ventures like starting beauty lines, starring in films, writing books, and starting families. There wasn’t an immediate need to release albums or tour anymore. So the takeover of male artists on Billboard charts ensued.
Of course, the shine to Taylor Swift will blaze on. But the world grows tired of hearing the same few artists over and over. As always, there’s a bright new, shiny Next Big Thing on the horizon.
The summer of 2024 proves that you don’t necessarily need to be a “new” artist to rise to superstardom. Ever since Coachella, it has become clear that there are two Next Big Things in the realm of pop music:
Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan.
Both Carpenter and Roan signed to labels when they were young. You may know Carpenter from opening for Swift on
The Eras Tour or her stint as a Disney star. And you may know Chappell as the opener for Olivia Rodrigo on The Guts Tour.
Chappell has been signed to Atlantic Records since she was 17 - back when she uploaded an original song called “Die Young” to YouTube. Under Atlantic, Chappell released an EP and eventually, in 2020, released “Pink Pony Club.” Not long after, she was dropped.
Everything shifted in September 2023. After being dropped from the label, she remained independent until releasing her debut album,
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, through Island Records.
Come 2024, Chappell toured the album in two parts, captivating fans' hearts with her wit, her live vocal ability, and her homemade tour outfits that were equally as camp as her music.
In the meantime, she remained in control of her social media accounts. Regularly posting funny TikTok anecdotes, capturing more fans in her web along the way. Although Chappell’s album was receiving rave reviews, we were still a little ways away from the world finding her.
Once she joined friend Olivia Rodrigo on
The Guts Tour (previously appearing as The SOUR Tour opener), Roan’s streams saw a 32% increase. But this was only the beginning.
April 2024 marks the complete juggernaut of Chappell Roan’s career. She’s no longer a best-kept secret. Chappell Roan - who sings candidly about sexuality and celebrates being gay in her drag-inspired makeup, her wild red hair, and her Lady Gaga-esque dedication to dramatics - was about to become the next mega-popstar.
The Rise Of Chappell Roan
In early April, Chappell released “Good Luck Babe” as the next single from
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. It felt like the start of the rest of her career. Her way of telling the world: here I am to give you the latest, refreshing pop music. And while I’m at it, shine light on the LGBTQ+ community.
The song received 7 million streams in the first week, “Good Luck Babe” became her fastest song to reach 100 million streams in no time. And then came the Coachella performance.
Chappell was set to perform in the Gobi tent. If you’re clued in to Coachella lore, the tents are generally smaller venues compared to the stages. It’s not typically reserved for bigger artists because they draw larger crowds.
However, during Chappell Roan’s Weekend I set, the Gobi tent overflowed with fans and new listeners alike. The world was watching on the Coachella livestream. And thanks to social media, thousands of TikToks and Instagram Reels were sourced and shared to
millions of viewers.
Chappell Roan caught the world’s attention by being true to herself. Her humility and humor make her relatable - she often displays emotions on stage no matter what they are. Her avant-garde makeup and outfits pay homage to fabulous drag queens and are reminiscent of Lady Gaga in 2010.
And of course, her music brings back a sense of fun to the world. Each song is catchy, daring, and reveals Roan’s true colors. After Coachella, her monthly listener count on Spotify saw a 500% increase to 7 million.
The Year Of Chappell Roan Continues
Since then, the world’s attention is on Chappell Roan. Her monthly listener count sits at over 24 million. She’s dined with new friend Elton John, who shared her album with Ed Sheeran, who also adores it.
She took the stage at Gov Ball 2024 inside an apple, dressed as the Statue of Liberty, holding a massive joint…to a massive crowd - bigger than the headliners. She’s as in-demand as it gets right now…publicly declaring she turned down a visit to the White House until there’s liberty and justice for all.
In an audacious performance, Chappell Roan declares herself as “your favorite artist’s favorite artist.” And she’s not wrong anymore. It’s no longer simply an outrageous statement. Simply put. Chappell Roan is a sensation.
She receives acclaim from Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, and so many more. And has been candid about struggling with her recent rapid rise to the top - breaking down onstage, sharing with viewers on TikTok that many pop girls are really just as nice as they seem.
As she continues to grow and flourish in the public eye, Chappell Roan’s bearing up under the burden of pop princess. It’s something she has in common with another rising star, Sabrina Carpenter - who often goes viral for her off-the-cuff comments and sexual innuendos.
A new voice of our generation - Chappell Roan is a breath of fresh air. The people love honesty, they love personality, and they love fine music. Thank goodness Chappell Roan has all three.
You can stream Chappell's The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess here:
With hits like Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso,” Billie Eilish’s “LUNCH” Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe” and more, we’re having a 2016 summer and it feels so good.
Each new song is claiming to be
the song of the summer. This is not random TikTok singers doing their obligatory self-promo with the tried-and-true hook: “Did I just write the song of the summer?” But don’t blame them. Blame the labels that are vying for a number-one hit. Blame TikTok for making songs viral overnight. Or blame each and every one of us who exclaims “song of the summer!” whenever our favorite songs come on the radio. There’s even a Spotify playlist power ranking all of this year's contenders.
Everyone’s seeking the perfect summer soundtrack. I make a new playlist once time April hits (overeager, I know) with all the songs I have on repeat for the season. It ranges from UK Drill to Alt-Pop bangers. If you don’t have Central Cee and Clairo playing back-to-back this summer, what are you even doing?
But yet, come summer one song stands out as
the song of the season. It’s the song that’s on everyone’s mind and everyone’s playlist. It’s the song everyone requests at parties, that plays every hour on the hour at the club, and the song we find ourselves humming mindlessly at the pool and on the beach.
Some years, it’s obvious. But this year, we’re spoiled for choice.
Dare I say it: we’re having a Summer 2016 Replay. For Gen Z and younger Millennials, Summer 2016 has taken a mythical quality online. Fall and Winter were when everything started to go wrong — some even say the killing of Harambe that May was the catalyst to all the ceaseless tragedy that’s happened since. If you’d told us then what the world would look like now, I would
not have believed you. It was the rise before the fall. It was a summer of possibility, incredulity. And it was a summer of really good music.
Leading up to Summer 2016, we had new albums from Beyonce (
Lemonade), Rihanna (ANTI, her last project), Drake (Views), Justin Bieber (Purpose), and Ariana Grande (Dangerous Woman). Those albums gave us summer hits like “Sorry,” “Work,” “One Dance,” “Controlla,” “Love Yourself,” “Into You,” and so on. Much. More. Not to mention, right at the end of summer, Frank Ocean finally dropped “Blonde” and changed music forever. He ushered in the genre-less, experimental sound to mainstream music and is on the inspo board of everyone you love, I promise.
The radio was also blasting singles that still get regular play at clubs. Mike Posner’s “I Took a Pill In Ibiza,” “This is What You Came For” by Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa’s first hit “Hotter than Hell,” “Cheap Thrills” by Sia, and “Panda” by Desiigner. Doesn’t that take you back?
Since then, no other summer has matched the vibes and the soundtrack of Summer 16. Last summer was the summer of cinema — with
OppenBarbie taking over the box office and the planet. It was the summer of the girl, too. But summer 2024 is promising to have it all.
The summer festival circuit is in full swing with lineups that people are thrilled about and performances that are making and reigniting stars. Chappell Roan at
Coachella blasted her way to success, going from a niche, “gay famous” singer to a mainstream hitmaker. Lana Del Rey is so back in a big way after headlining Coachella with a special appearance from Billie Eilish. Billie released her best album yet, full of summer bangers and ballads alike.
But we can’t talk about Summer 16 without talking about Sabrina Carpenter. “Espresso” has been sitting pretty at the top of the charts since spring. It’s everyone’s hyperfixation song. It’s been played and played and I’m not even close to tired of it. While Sabrina has been writing music for years, her 2023 album
emails I can’t send has been a game-changer for her career. Her mainstream success was slowly climbing with hits like “Nonsense” and “Feather” but nothing can compare to the level of fame she’s seeing in the wake of “Espresso.”
Out of nowhere, the lead single from her upcoming album became the unexpected song of pre-summer. But as we head into the season’s later months, can it keep up its momentum? Only time will tell. We’re spoiled for choice this summer with a bevy of hits from artists of every genre. Of course, there are expected summer stars like Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, and Post Malone, but other more surprising contenders are vying for the Song of the Summer Title.
Here’s what we think of all of summer’s most infectious songs:
Espresso — Sabrina Carpenter
The perfect summer anthem. “Espresso” is a feel-good bop that I can listen to on repeat. I doubt I’ll ever get tired of it — no wonder it won’t exit the Billboard chart. The only thing keeping it from being the definite song of the summer is that it came out in early Spring. But don’t worry, Miss Sabrina has more than one card up her sleeve.
Please, Please, Please — Sabrina Carpenter
After announcing her next album, Sabrina released her latest single, “Please, Please, Please,” alongside the video with her boyfriend, Barry Keoghan. “Don’t embarrass me, motherf*cker,” she croons in the song — talk about relatable. Taking a different tone than “Espresso” but no less infectious, Sabrina’s close-to-Country crooning displays that she’s a versatile star who won’t be banging out versions of the same song forever.
I Had Some Help — Post Malone ft Morgan Wallen
Speaking of Country Music, Post Malone’s country era is going swimmingly for the former-rapper with his new song, “I Had Some Help,” featuring Country star Morgan Wallen. Post Malone is no stranger to songs of the summer with hits like 2017’s “Congratulations,” 2019’s “Circles,” and his
Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse song “Sunflower” in 2019. This summer, he’s switching up genres but still racking up streams. Be prepared to hear this at every barbecue, beach house, or lake house or this summer.
II Most Wanted — Beyonce and Miley Cyrus
When Beyonce released her own Country album, it came with the infectious hit, “TEXAS HOLD EM.” The song’s opening line, “This ain’t Texas,” was on the tip of my tongue for months. Now that the album’s finally out, the surprising hit is her unexpected collaboration with Miley Cyrus, “II Most Wanted.” Miley had the song of the summer last year with “Flowers” and teaming up with Beyonce on this emotional ballad is pure magic.
Nasty — Tinashe
Tinashe has been toiling for years aiming for a hit, and now she finally has one. A true TikTok song, this summer anthem went viral in a hilarious video of TikTok user Nate Di Winer when he posted a video of himself dancing to Hey Choppi’s “Blind.” Tinashe took the video’s success, overlaid her own video and audio over it, and it went crazy-crazy-viral. The rest is history. Now it’s a sneaky, sleeper hit of the summer. And the TikTok sound “I’ve been a nasty girl” is sure to outlive it and head into the golden days of Autumn — at least.
Million Dollar Baby — Tommy Richman
We can’t talk about TikTok songs without mentioning Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby”. No, not the 2004 brutal boxing film starring Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, and Morgan Freeman. It’s a viral hit that instantly became an earworm. Who is Tommy Richman, you might ask? The 24-year-old singer and rapper is brand new to the scene — and what a debut. I wish it
really was 2016 so everyone’s Instagram captions could be “Million Dollar Baby.” Simpler times.
Too Sweet — Hozier
TikTok is also responsible for Hozier’s first #1 hit in the US. Hozier’s been bringing his Irish accent-tinged voice to the charts since his massive debut single, “Take Me to Church.” But it took a post-album EP to skyrocket him to #1. After releasing
Unreal, Unearth in late 2023, Hozier dropped a 4-song EP this April with some extras that didn’t make the album. And thank goodness he didn’t let these songs languish because “Too Sweet” is the folksy summer anthem we need.
Good Luck Babe! — Chappell Roan
The gays won with this song. Chappell Roan has been belting out her ballads and bops of yearning since her extended album promotion in 2020. Finally,
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, her debut album came out in late 2023 but it took until her 2024 single “Good Luck Babe!” to get people to tune in. But now that the masses are listening, they cannot stop. This unapologetically queer hit has transcended the gay pop genre and is a chart-topping summer anthem for all of us entering our eras of yearning.
LUNCH — Billie Eilish
Speaking of unapologetically queer, this new Billie Eilish era is unmatched. Billie’s brand-new album,
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, is a masterpiece and already gaining Grammy buzz. Album of the Year? Probably. And she deserves it. She traverses genres and moods with this album, managing to create a sound that’s refreshingly unique and a album that feels cohesive despite its leaps and bounds. “LUNCH” is the sapphic song of my dreams, and “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” is a pop ballad that shows her range and her ability to create pop songs that last forever. [Read our full review of HIT ME HARD AND SOFThere.]
Cinderella — Remi Wolf
Remi will always be on my summer playlist so it’s exciting to hear her getting mainstream play. “Me and the boys in the hotel lobby,” is an infectious hook. And paired with her belting the chorus, it’s a textured song that I want to scream along to in my car with the windows down. [Read out interview with Remi Wolf at Spotify's Lorem party
here.]
Houdini — Dua Lipa
Queen of Vacationing. Queen of Red Carpets. Formerly, Queen of Summer. After 2017’s “New Rules” made her a certified pop girl, and “Levitating” was the post-covid anthem, we all expected Dua to have the Song of the Summer with hits from her latest album,
Radical Optimism. Although hits like “Houdini” and “Training Season” have charted moderately well, they didn’t seem to stick. The vibes are good though, earning them a spot on my summer playlist despite everyone falling asleep on the job.
Houdini — Eminem
While Dua’s “Houdini” remains in the middle of the charts, Eminem’s return to music with his song, “Houdini” is climbing up the charts. It debuted at number #2 and is reaching for #1. This is his best showing on the charts in over a decade and bodes well for his upcoming album,
The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). The song is classic Slim Shady controversy bait. If cancel culture were actually real, Shady would be canceled for this one for sure — there’s a line about Megan Thee Stallion being shot (can rappers leave her alone?) and calling everything “gay.” But it’s catchy so it’s definitely going to stay in the charts for a while.
Not Like Us — Kendrick Lamar
By far, the most buzz-worthy rap hit is Kenrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.” One of the final songs in the weeks-long saga that was his beef with Drake, it’s the final nail in the Drizzy coffin. You know you lost a rap war when one of the diss tracks becomes the song of the summer. Ouch!
BAND4BAND — Central Cee, Lil Baby
Wanna know who else is beefing? The US and UK rap scenes. The collaboration from Central Cee and Lil Baby isn’t bringing the two countries together, but tearing them apart. Each side is claiming their country carried the song. The British claim Lil Baby doesn’t sound as tough or “hard” as Cench, while Americans are making TikToks dancing to Cench’s verse in Bridgerton-like garb. I just want everyone to have fun. After Central Cee teamed up with Dave for my personal favorite song of
last summer, “Sprinter,” they could never make me hate him.
places to be — Fred Again.. Ft Anderson .Paak and CHIKA
I wanna hear this at the club. I wanna hear this on a rooftop. I wanna hear this while sprinting through a field or rolling down a hill or doing something else to fix my inner child. “places to be” is fun, refreshing, and sounds like the endless possibilities of summer. [Read our review of Fred Again..’s Stanford show here.]
If there’s one thing I consistently endorse, it’s the power of a music festival. You get the best bang for your buck by having the opportunity to see dozens of artists all for the price of one weekend pass…and you get the chance to find your next favorite artist.
At their core, music festivals are relatively the same — overpriced drinks, under-seasoned food options,
more overpriced drinks, and, without a doubt, an overflowing port-a-potty or two. You’ll walk at least 10,000 steps per day, your feet will be screaming for help at the end of the night, and your willpower will for sure be tested.
From
Sea.Hear.Now in New Jersey to Coachella in California, festivals are a little hellish. But they’re incredible. All of these Survivor-esque factors make music festivals fun because you’re all struggling together…but the music makes it worth it.
And this past weekend, thousands flocked to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, New York to see the iconic East Coast festival: Gov Ball. If you’re from the Tri-State area, it’s a guarantee that you or someone you know has attended the Governor’s Ball at least once.
Yet, many warned me that Gov Ball was not what it used to be. However, I wasn’t going to resist such a star-studded lineup. Not only were headliners powerhouses like Post Malone, The Killers, and SZA…but the supporting acts were just as tempting: Sabrina Carpenter, Renee Rapp, and Chappell Roan were some of the names to watch.
So I put on my comfiest sneakers, and I went to Gov Ball 2024. And the big secret of it all is that I had a blast.
Brandon Flowers — lead singer of The Killers — declared them “the purveyors of some of the finest rock and roll music” and I can’t say I disagree. Whenever I see The Killers, I’m entranced.
Whether it’s their gospel church-inspired set, with background vocalists, cries of “can I get an AMEN?”, and a minutes-long chant of “I got soul, but I’m not a soldier”...The Killers set is always spiritual.
They play a plethora of their hits from albums like
Hot Fuss — where you get instant classics like “Somebody Told Me”, “Mr. Brightside”, and “All These Things That I’ve Done.” You get newer songs like “Caution” and you come away convinced that rock and roll will never die.
By far the finest vocalist at the festival was Renee Rapp, who is on her
Snow Hard Feelings tour. Rapp has had a blockbuster few years, with her show Sex Lives of College Girls, and playing Regina George in the Mean Girls reboot. Songs like “In The Kitchen” and “Pretty Girls” went viral on TikTok.
With a similar stage presence to Billie Eilish, Renee Rapp donned baggy clothes and sunglasses. She crawled around stage, stared longingly into the camera as she sang, and bent forwards and backward up and down the catwalk.
But what really comes through is her voice. She can belt a ballad with the best of them — powerhouses like Jennifer Hudson, Demi Lovato, and Adele. She touches your soul with heartbreaking lyrics, and cracks you up with quips like “I wish this song weren’t written about a man, either.”
If you get the chance to see her live, go.
Chappell Roan
They need to study the rapid rise of Chappell Roan in the history books. She’s instantaneously synonymous with LGBTQ music icons like Lady Gaga. Her album,
Rise and Fall of a Midwest Person, was originally a favorite of TikTok users…but quickly zipped up the charts.
Her Coachella performance played to a packed tent at full capacity…so there was high anticipation for her Gov Ball mainstage performance. She starts the show by entering in an apple, dressed as the Statue of Liberty, smoking a huge joint — which is the epitome of Chappell Roan.
Roan and her all-female band were captivating from start to finish. With Chappell’s dramatic flare and her band’s ability to absolutely rock out, the whole crowd was entranced by Chappell…including myself.
Sabrina Carpenter
Another rapidly rising star is Sabrina Carpenter. She opened for Taylor Swift on
The Eras Tour and also had a major Coachella performance. She’s seen chart-topping success with both “Espresso” and now “Please, Please, Please,” and let’s not forget her newly hard-launched relationship with Saltburn’s Barry Keoghan.
Ever since her love triangle with Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett, Carpenter’s love life has been a major topic of conversation…and inspired much of the
emails I can’t send album. Gearing up for her latest era, with millions more monthly streamers, Carpenter has all the star power of the next big pop princess.
She mashed up songs like The Cardigans’ “Lovefool” and her own “Feather”, she belted “because i liked a boy”, and of course sang “Please, Please, Please” for the first time. Big dance breaks, amazing vocal runs, and her quick wit make Sabrina a must-see.
Post Malone
Post Malone’s set provided one of the lighter moments of the festival when he brought up two individual audience members to perform his ballad, “Stay”, together. If you’re familiar with the song, you know it’s a beautifully haunting slow song.
So, of course, he brings a guitarist — who does fine — and a girl to sing with him. Normally, you’d expect the person who offers to join a famous headliner onstage to be able to sing..so when this girl failed to hit the first note, the crowd knew we were in for a treat.
However, Post Malone sang along and remained professional. Of course, he’s a great performer himself, but this alone lands him a gold star.
Although you’re encouraged
not to drive to Gov Ball, I live 40 minutes away and am a public transportation hater. After a few arduous bouts with the subway and buses, I needed to drive there on Sunday or my body would revolt.
Luckily, there was parking available at Citi Field and right next to where the subway drops commuters off. If you’re brave enough to take a ride-share service, I’d recommend leaving at an off-time where you won’t hit traffic from festival-goers or New York City partiers.
If you can afford it, I’d say VIP made my experience 1000x better. It gets you a guaranteed front-row view of the stage and you won’t feel claustrophobic or have to shove fellow audience members out of your way. There are plenty of areas to sit and relax while watching the show, which is something GA doesn’t provide.
However, the food options were quite limited in the VIP areas. So I tried my luck in the GA food vendor areas and ended up waiting for 20 minutes in endless lines. But what did truly saved the weekend was the private bathroom and bar options to avoid those long lines.
Overall, Gov Ball was so much better than anticipated…and I look forward to next year.
We're all in the same spot: working all week, wondering if the weekend will ever present itself, and dreaming of the possibilities of a day or two without work. You spend all week making plans with friends and family, and now that Summer Fridays have begun...the world is your oyster.
Summer is the best time not only because the weather's finally warm enough that you can tolerate the outdoors...but it's one of the hottest times for new music. Live performances are abundant, your favorite artists are all in contention for Song of the Summer.
With Gov Ball happening this weekend, I couldn't be more excited to listen to some new tracks...especially since I'll be hearing some of them being performed live for the first time. Whether you're preparing for a weekend filled with fun with your friends, or live in the NYC area and are one of the thousands attending Gov Ball, you need a good playlist to get you ready.
And that's where I come in. If you're new here, I make a Weekend Playlist filled with fresh releases hot off the press. It's the best-of-the-best, so you don't have to comb through every New Music playlist and search excessively for actual good music released this week.
Since I have you all excited now, there's no more time to waste. Let's get listening!
Sabrina Carpenter- "Please, Please, Please"
Oh, Sabrina Carpenter, how you amaze me. With the announcement of her new album, Short 'N Sweet, coming August 23 and hot off the success of viral hit "Espresso"...you'd think she'd rest. But no, we're here with another certified banger: "Please, Please, Please."
In the song, Carpenter begs for her lover not to make her cry when her makeup looks so nice. It's a struggle we've all experienced...but of course, Sabrina conveys another message with the song: she's the next Big Thing in pop music, ushering in the new era of popstars that we so desperately needed.
Dom Dolla- girl$
Dom Dolla is one of the hottest DJ's in house music right now. He's fresh off a few massive Coachella performances, where he played for the likes of Ice Spice, Taylor Swift, and Travis Kelce. His breakout year - 2023 - gave us singles like "Saving Up" and "Eat Your Man (with Nelly Furtado)." And he's not slowing down any time soon.
No, Dom Dolla is not even close to reaching the height of his illustrious career...but "girl$" is just another stepping stone to becoming one of the top DJ's in the world. Fun, sexy, and just enough bass, this house track will be a staple for any pregame playlist of yours.
ASHRR- "Different Kind Of Life"
Supergroup ASHRR delivers a groovy, vibe-heavy song questioning why we're all searching for some different sort of life...when we're living the one we've got? It's a message for us to stop looking to others for happiness when we have all the tools on our own.
"DKOL is about the expression of samsara, the cycle of never being pleased with what you have, but always wanting more or something else. When we went to write this song which started out with the bass line and polyrhythmic drums, we eventually mixed up our love of Afrobeat rhythms from the late 70's with the post -punk soul dance floor anthems that Frankie Knuckles would be playing at Paradise Garage on a Saturday night.” -ASHRR
Glass Animals- "A Tear In Space (Airlock)"
An exploration into the mind and soul lead band member, Dave Bayley, Glass Animals' newest single is both introspective and otherworldly. Certainly a risk, "A Tear In Space (Airlock)" is unlike your usual Glass Animals sound...however, it works because that's completely the point.
Writing and producing their next album after having a breakdown over their newfound success following "Heat Waves", "A Tear In Space (Airlock)" shows an ethereal side to their music we've never seen before.
SALEKA- "RELEASE"
SALEKA is quite literally a triple threat. She's starring in the upcoming M. Night Shyamalan's newest film, TRAP, a concert thriller following a girl and her father's nightmare concert experience. Not only that, but she's releasing a song, "RELEASE", that's being featured in the film as well.
The song is brooding and powerful, a piano-driven ballad that builds with suspense and crescendos into SALEKA's powerful vibrato.
ROSIE- "Rock Bottom"
ROSIE's music is always empowering in some way- whether that be through lyrics emphasizing self love or moving vocals that make you want to replay her songs over and over. Now, with "Rock Bottom", she shares a point in her life where she felt like she wasn't going to make it through...but this song is a reminder that there's light. She says,
“‘Rock Bottom,’ explains why I am the person I am today. I’ve overcome many hardships over the years, from grieving the loss of a dear friend, to battling anxiety and depression, and this record recounts it all. More than anything, this song is about finding light within the darkness or as I say in the song, realizing that ‘nothing looks bad when you’ve seen rock bottom.’”
Saturday Night Live is the Mecca for sketch comedy. Some of our favorite actors and comedians launched their careers at Lorne Michaels’ long-running
SNL – Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikus, Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, Kate McKinnon, Maya Rudolph, John Mulaney, Jimmy Fallon, Pete Davidson, I could go on…
And while your preferred comedians probably got their start in the writer’s room at 30 Rock, don’t forget the live musical guest. Being invited to play on
SNL is one of the biggest honors in a musician’s career.
There’s something about being on that stage that tells you about who an artist truly is…if they can sing live or not…if they have any stage presence. The
SNL musical guest’s performance is often a topic of discussion on social media – it’s a terrific venue for teasing new music, growing your following, and showing what you’re made of.
But many stars find themselves floundering on the elusive
Saturday Night Live stage. The platform has the catapult to an artist into the stratosphere…and the gig can sometimes go south and be tough to watch.
After Sabrina Carpenter’s show-stopping superstar performance, it got me thinking about the Ghosts of
SNL’s Musical Guests Past. Not every act feels like a professional, well-rounded concert.
So, while some shine and others flop, here are our picks for the Best and Worst
SNL Musical Performances!
WORST:
Ice Spice
Oh, how I wanted this performance to go differently. A lot of the time, I fear Ice Spice may lack the star-quality, It Factor when it comes to live performances. This is just one of those examples.
21 Savage
21 chanting “redrum” over and over almost had me fast-forwarding through the whole thing. If I were in the audience, his flat, monotonous performance would’ve been even more difficult to endure – despite 21’s attempt to class it up with a pair of sad ballet dancers.
Kanye West feat. Lil Pump
This is genuinely hilarious if you don’t take it seriously. Confession: I’m smiling as I write this. It reminds me of when you’re 8 years old and you perform with your cousin for the whole family.
Lana Del Rey
I love Lana so it hurts me to include this…but this was a tough watch. She shows signs of promise, but it’s pitchy and all over the place. Her first real performance was riddled with nerves, but thankfully Coachella was a redemption.
Ashlee Simpson
I mean, you knew it was coming. As Ashlee lip-synced her way through her performance, disaster struck when the vocals fell out of sync. She walks off stage mid-song, but the band plays on – it’s literally like watching
The Titanic as the boat goes down.
BEST:
Taylor Swift
The “All Too Well (10-Minute Version)” performance will
always be iconic. In her fifth appearance on the show, Swift only performed one song and it was this 10-minute masterpiece.
Sabrina Carpenter
Talk about utilizing the stage!
Finally someone makes SNL feel like a concert and not a beat poetry session. A spectacular performance all around – no notes!
Tate McRae
Bring back popstars with dance routines! Tate McRae’s viral
SNL act was high-energy and captivating. She nails her vocals while slaying that dance number flawlessly.
Harry Styles
There was nothing more iconic than when Harry Styles dropped “Watermelon Sugar” during his
SNL double-header. It was the first time the world heard the song, and instantaneously made it the hit song of the summer.
Billie Eilish
Billie’s debut album,
WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP WHERE DO WE GO? was critically acclaimed and shot her to super-super-superstardom. Her SNL performance solidified that she can sing on any stage and shine.
POPULAR NEWS
