Summer has kicked in to high gear, but that playlist you made in May is starting to feel a little stale. A man can not live on The Black Keys and Alabama Shakes alone (though I wouldn’t fault him for trying). Luckily, some new tunes have arrived fresh off the music grill just in time. Here are some great new albums to keep your summer parties rocking. Because all good music needs a good beer the way all redheads need SPF 50, I’ve paired up these albums with the perfect brew.
Passion Pit – Gossamer
Perfect for: Mid-afternoon at a pool party. The sun just dipped behind some clouds, the shallow end volleyball games have subsided for now. There’s a lounge chair with your name on it. And by name I mean you left your towel on there. Nice work making your territory. The towel code works again. Now relax with some new Passion Pit, because it’s like a cool breeze on your sunburn and fresh cut grass between your toes.
Perfect with: A frosty Pacifico and a fresh cut lime
Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten
Perfect for: The backyard BBQ that shows no signs of stopping. Some people originally had intentions of staying for a burger and a drink before heading to the next party, but everyone is having too much damn fun. Gaslight Anthem will only fuel that. Bust out the lanterns because this thing is clearly going all night. Or until the neighbors call the cops.
Perfect with: Miller High Life. In a glass bottle. No cans.
Frank Ocean – channel ORANGE
Perfect for: Late night. Anywhere. Perhaps a deck or smoldering the remains of a bonfire. Eventually things will wind down, but there’s inevitably going to be some people who refuse to call it a night. Fire up the Frank Ocean and see where things go. Hey, I’m pretty sure that girl isn’t sitting in your lap because of lack of seating.
Perfect with: probably a nice bourbon, but since we’re talking beer go with something classy like a Stella Artois or a Delirium Tremens
Fang Island – Major
Perfect for: The rooftop party that has devolved in to a drinking game free for all. The stars are out and some jerks are still wearing their sunglasses, but you can’t really blame them in this case. You kind of want to put yours on too. If it’ll help the flip cup game, then by all means, wear your sunglasses. Then crank up Fang Island and send someone out for more beers.
Perfect with: Naragansett Summer tall boys (and maybe some Bud Light for flip cup)
JEFF the Brotherhood – Hypnotic Nights
Perfect for: Roasting on the beach. It’s hot as balls, but it’s nothing a third dip in the ocean can’t fix. The circle of chairs and towels keeps growing and the sunscreen ran out an hour ago. Nobody is leaving the beach until the tide comes in far enough to snag an unsuspecting iPhone. Until then, rock out to JEFF the Brotherhood keep those damn seagulls away from the chips.
Perfect with: Budweiser from a discreetly buried keg (watch out for those beach cops)
