Tunesday: Songs for a bittersweet summer
Nothing’s quite as bittersweet as the summertime. As school doors close and the sun lingers late into the evening, the season promises an escape from the demands of daily life. However, without the usual stressors to occupy one’s mind, summer also evokes a certain sadness. Trips down memory lane and run-ins with old friends abound repeatedly beckon, and reminiscing on times gone by is always a bittersweet affair.
This playlist reflects the ambivalent feelings toward summertime in all its strange and splendid beauty. It ties the good and the bad together, showing how the two coexist in this time away from the hustle and bustle of college life.
“Better Now” — The Regrettes
Summer is the perfect time to recharge, though the path to wellness isn’t exactly linear. The Regrettes aim for self-betterment on “Better Now,” but they are also the first to admit that healing is easier said than done. “Even if I could form the words in my head/ I wouldn’t know how to share them for the better,” lead singer Lydia Night reflects over an industrial beat and electrifying baseline. With danceable rhythms and honest reflection, “Better Now” is a perfect swirl of sunshine and ennui.
“Violets for Roses” — Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey is the undisputed sovereign of summertime sadness, but on “Violets for Roses,” her sorrow turns sanguine. Del Rey reflects on heartbreak, but she also embraces the beauty of rediscovering herself: “Ever since I fell out of love with you, I fell back in love with me,” she sings. Layered over a simple piano, her breathy vocals flow with the cooling comfort of a summer breeze. As seasons change and love fades, Del Rey presents the perfect anthem for all your summertime feels.
“Wild Blue” — John Mayer
Listening to “Wild Blue” by John Mayer feels like floating through crystal-clear waters. A wavering guitar mimics the sea, and Mayer’s voice laps up against the shore. Though he laments a lost love, his lyrics are anchored by acceptance rather than regret. “You’ll never know/ The unlikely beauty of letting you go,” Mayer sings before his voice dips back beneath a shimmering guitar solo. With its enticing riffs and melodies, “Wild Blue” encourages listeners to surrender to its salty stream of song.
“Keep Driving” — Harry Styles
Harry Styles’ “Keep Driving” is deceptively simple. With a string of list-like lyrics, the track from Harry’s House portrays two lovers tuning out the world as it gradually falls apart. Towing the line between quotidian and erotic, “Keep Driving” possesses a titillating quality, though a certain sadness also seeps between the lines. “We held darkness in withheld clouds,” Styles sings, holding back the gloom as he keeps driving beneath the sun. In all its sultry and subdued complexity, the song deserves to be played on full volume with the car windows down.
“Gold Rush” — Taylor Swift
“Gold Rush” by Taylor Swift is a masterclass in storytelling. Effortlessly shifting between fantasy and reality, the song beautifully explores what is and what could have been. Embracing her penchant for imaginative narration, Swift admits, “My mind turns your life into folklore,” her voice wistful and full of longing. With its imagery of coastal towns and “hair falling into place like dominoes,” “Gold Rush” is the perfect track to accompany your summer daydreams.
“Movie” — Tom Misch
“Movie” opens with a retro monologue reminiscent of 20th century Hollywood. As Tom Misch’s sister narrates a former flame stepping out of her life, the sounds of a whistling train and mellow guitar faintly play in the background. Through the rest of the song, Misch’s nu wave serves as a vehicle for poignant reflection, carrying an air of romance that is comparable only to a black and white movie. Listening to Misch’s silky smooth vocals feels like sitting beneath the stars and watching an old fashioned film, soaking in the summer days as they gradually fade away.
Lauren Harvey is the deputy arts & entertainment editor. Contact her at lharvey@dailycal.org.