Oh summer 2010, how you have had your ups and downs.  It seems like just yesterday I was scribbling the answer to the last question of my final and running off campus to celebrate the beginning of my seasonal freedom. Though July 4th wasn’t too long ago, the back to school season is rapidly approaching.  Play this mix when you’re sitting on the beach or on your couch reflecting on all you’ve done (or haven’t done) over these sweltering summer days. Those summer hook ups, break ups and parties deserve a soundtrack, too.

1. Autolux- Turnstile Blues
This is a lay-on-your-back-staring-at-the-clouds-go-by kind of song, perfect for a breezy day in the park while your dog licks your face. The Los Angeles based band is set to release their new album Transit Transit on August 4th while the tour for the album starts August 11 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.

2. Vetiver- Rolling Sea
This is the song you listen to on the drive to the beach.  Along the coastline. Windows down.  Vetiver’s name actually comes from the name of an Indian herb with many uses. Your next chance to see them live will be at the Solid Sound Festival held at the Mass MoCa in North Adams, MA.

3. French Kicks- Abandon
This song will make you want to fall in love.  And I don’t just mean fall in love with a person or with summer.  You’ll fall in love with the band.  The French Kicks consists of the brother duo Nick and Lawrence Stumpf, Aaron Thurston and Josh Wise.  Together they harmonize on Abandon and the other songs off of Swimming to create a feeling of ease in your ears and in your heart.  Swimming is now available on iTunes so give it a listen.

4. Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros- 40 Day Dream
Have you ever wondered if you were really in reality or in a dream? And not like Inception kind of dreaming, but when reality is just  too ideal for words.  Lead singer Alex Ebert’s (also the lead singer of Ima Robot. Crazy, huh?) vocal style aids the lyrics in expressing the whole purpose of the song with raspy wails and shouts. Check them out at the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island and Lollapalooza in Chicago.

5. Dntel- Rock My Boat
Talk about mood music!  This song has all the factors necessary for setting the mood-sultry female vocals, a slow tempo and sweet , lighthearted lyrics that have slight sexual and emotional connotations.  Dntel is made up of mostly Jimmy Tamborello with instrumental help from Paul Larson.  Most of the singing is done by guest stars which in this case is Mia Doi Todd.  Dntel’s music style changes with almost every song, each creating a different emotional sensation.

6. Metronomy- Heartbreaker
I know I’ve consoled quite a few friends this summer who were emotionally hit by a heartbreaker. This song offers that sarcastic “I told you so” aspect of that comforting conversation.  Metronomy is currently in the studio working on a new album with a new lineup but until its release, enjoy Heartbreaker and the other songs on Nights Out.

7. Department of Eagles- No One Does It Like You
This song goes nicely with being in your backyard in a pool, with drinks and good company.  Its quite possible that Fred Nicholaus and Daniel Rossen (Grizzly Bear) did this very same thing together over the summers, granted that they first encountered each other as dormmates in college.  Being one of the greatest pairings since Hall and Oates or milk and cereal, Fred and Daniel show their musical talents on the albums The Cold Nose and In Ear Park.  While a tour hasn’t happened for over a year, lets hope one does happen soon.

8. TV on the Radio- Yr God
Hands down one of the best songs to attempt to sing sober or drunk, especially if the person you’re singing with is the worst human beat box alive.   Despite the song not utilizing any actual instruments, TV on the Radio still found no trouble in making the song simply complex (yay for oxymorons!).

9. Broken Social Scene- Hotel
My favorite Broken Social Scene song, Hotel was more than likely played at that random hipster party you found yourself at last night.  BSS has been making musical magic for about 11 years and have still managed to keep that melodic feel to their sound.  Many of the members of BSS have solo acts or are in other bands.  Leslie Feist aka Feist, Elizabeth Powell of Land of Talk and Emily Haines and James Shaw of Metric all contribute to the beauty that makes Broken Social Scene who they are.  Check out Broken Social Scene’s latest release, Forgiveness Rock Record.

10. Brightblack Morning Light- Star Blanket River Child
I chose this song for how great it is coupled with the comfort of my bed after a long night of shenanigans.  Brightblack Morning Light’s Nathan Shineywater and Rachel Hughes have been keeping it low key for a little while with their last venture being a split EP done with Lungfish that was released last year.  The song offers a little over 10 minutes of loveliness, which can give you an idea of how marvelous the rest of the band‘s work is.

11. Yeasayer- Wait for the Wintertime
With the ending couplet of lyrics being “wintertime is a razor blade the devil made…it’s the price we pay for the summertime,” this song is so clearly representing the contrast between the suffering we endure during winter (and for the most part the other two seasons as well) and the pleasure we experience during the summer months.  It makes you wish the summer would never go away.