Where do we even begin trying to pick the best songs of the month? From Anderson .Paak to Dirty Projectors, there were so. Many. Great. Tracks. We know how hard it can be to keep track of them all, so we’ve put July’s essential listening into one playlist for your listening pleasure.
Keep scrolling for nine of these highlights that cannot be missed. Once you’re done, check out the rest of our Best of the Month playlist for more.
Dominic Fike – Chicken Tenders
As Dominic Fike’s popularity grows, so do the locations for his songs. From the motel in his breakthrough song “3 Nights,” to the hotel in his newest single “Chicken Tenders,” Fike has reached a new level of luxury. “Chicken Tenders” features Fike’s familiar twangy pop sound with a fun, catchy beat. We never thought we’d be singing along to the lyric “chicken tenders in my hotel” but we can’t help ourselves — and you probably won’t be able to either.
Glass Animals – Heat Waves
Can we just say that we’re majorly pumped that Glass Animals is back? We’ve waited four long years since the release of their last album How to Be A Human Being and their newest album Dreamland is almost here. “Heatwave” gives us a sneak peek into the album with fresh and fun synthetic beats and lead singer Dave Bayley’s familiar scratchy vocals (which we love — never change Dave!). We can’t wait to hear the rest when Dreamland is released on August 7.
joan – want u back
Describing joan’s sound is no easy task. Think ’90s boy band vocals mixed with ’80s influenced beats and then add something else that is undeniably joan’s own style. The result is “want u back”, an upbeat pop song that is nostalgically fresh. Whatever they are doing, we’re loving it and can’t wait to hear the rest of joan’s cloudy EP, out August 7.
HAIM – Gasoline
Summer is finally here now that we have new HAIM songs to listen to. “Gasoline,” off their newest album Women in Music Pt. III, showcases a fresh side of HAIM, with slower sultry beats and a country-esque influence that reminds us of Jenny Lewis’ “Red Bull & Hennessy.” It’s a bit different from their usual upbeat pop hits, but we’ll be listening to this and the rest of their new album all summer.
Oscar Welsh – Sixteen
Oscar Welsh accurately portrays the struggle of young love and relationships on “Sixteen.” The Welsh artist’s fourth-ever track finds him crooning over lo-fi instrumentals that are sure to have you bopping along. At only eighteen years old, we think there is plenty more to come from this brand new talent.
Peach Tree Rascals – Deer
If you’re looking for a relaxing song to play on a summer evening, Peach Tree Rascals have you covered. The band’s newest single “Deer” serves modern tropical vibes with a synth bossa nova beat and lyrics about searching for your true love while roller-skating. We recommend listening to it in a hammock with a cool drink for the ultimate paradise experience.
Margot – Walk With Me
For a more campy forest feel, we recommend Margot’s newest single “Walk With Me”. The latest single from the Peckham outfit features a folksy track with wistful lyrics depicting serene scenes like a spring green morning and soft sunlight. Don’t be surprised to feel major wanderlust vibes after listening.
Doves – Carousels
Doves have been at it since 1998 but their brand new single “Carousels” proves they are back and better than ever. The track, their first in eleven years, reinvigorates the 90’s brit pop spirit that made the Cheshire outfit popular in the early aughts. There’s no denying that Doves have still got it we’re ready for some more.
rei brown – Bubble
If you’re feeling cooped up, we highly recommend rei brown’s newest single “Bubble.” With lyrics that quite accurately describe our quarantine lives, the New York artist still somehow creates an airy and light track in his signature chilled-out style. Promising that “when I’ll see my friends I’ll be okay,” brown leaves us feeling hopeful that things will get better once we’re reunited again.
The hits don’t stop coming. Check out the rest of the best songs of the month below in our Spotify playlist.
Best Songs of the Month Tracklisting
Dominic Fike – Chicken Tenders
Jean Dawson – CLEAR BONES
Glass Animals – Heat Waves
HAIM – Gasoline
Gordi – Unready
Shamir – On My Own
joan – want u back
Samia – Fit N Full
Noga Erez – NO news on TV
Disclosure – My High
Remi Wolf – Down The Line
Roosevelt – Sign
Jack Garratt – Circles
Raleigh Ritchie – Party Fear
Oscar Welsh – Sixteen
Toro y Moi – Ordinary Guy (Ft. The Mattson 2)
Peach Tree Rascals – Deer
Kahlil Blu & MAVI – runway talk
Anderson .Paak – Lockdown
RMR – WELFARE (Ft. Westside Gunn)
Kanye West – Wash Us In The Blood (Ft. Travis Scott)
Buddy – Black 2
Ebenezer – Melanin
boyband – tattoo
Tourist & The Range – Last
Kllo – Somehow
Refs – Nice (Ft. Jonah Mutono)
HONNE – No Song Without You
Henry Green – All
Ryan Hemsworth – Cold Feet (Ft. EDEN)
Washed Out – Time To Walk Away
HAELOS – Unknown Melody
rei brown – Bubble
Yves Jarvis – Victim
Leon Bridges – Sweeter (Ft. Terrace Martin)
Lianne La Havas – Weird Fish
Bibio – Oakmoss
Sunken – Somewhere Not Real
Bill Callahan – Pigeons
Slaughter Beach, Dog – Fair Shot
Dirty Projectors – Inner World
Dan D’Lion – Superwoman
Foreign Air – Don’t Use My Name
Doves – Carousels
Margot – Walk With Me
The Beths – Out Of Sight
Hoops – Fall Back
Dent May – I Could Use A Miracle
Bully – Where To Start
Hockey Dad – Good Eye