SUMMER MUSIC is a huge theme this summer. Not just a seasonal thing, hazy summer jams have taken hold of the indie-consciousness. Everyone is writing upbeat, beachy music and everything is being declared the ‘song of the summer’. A strong contender would be Tye-Dye’s remix of DJ Kaos’s “Love the Night Away.” Another example is the artist Washed Out. Drawing from tropical 80’s pop music, phased synths, and lo-fi electronic aesthetics, he makes indie-friendly electronic pop… and it’s actually really great.
Another related trend is BLISSED OUT (sunny, shimmery, epic) music. My band Lemonade helped start this with our track “Blissout” but really our Spanish friends Delorean will be better remembered for their contributions to this emerging genre, as well as our mutual friend John Talabot who is remixing “Blissout.”
Also in this expanding area is TROPICAL MUSIC. “Tropical” sounds are everywhere right now. Even DIY punk bands such as High Places and Abe Vigoda and countless imitators reference tropical percussion and melodies; some clearly referencing the Caribbean-influenced 80s Scottish punk band Orange Juice. The sound touches on the entirety of the Caribbean – from Jamaica, to Trinidad for its steel drums and soca percussion. Also see Jack Penate.
As an opposing trend MINIMAL SYNTH/COLDWAVE music has been the retro favorite lately, with reissues coming out weekly like they are garage rock comps and bands such as Section 25 are cool again. NY’s “Minimal Wave Records” and “Weird Records” seem to be at the fulcrum.