It’s the start of the summer, and that means it’s a big time for music. We have some great releases that came out this week. Her Campus Clark has you covered if you haven’t heard them all yet.
- “If I Can’t Have You” – Shawn Mendes
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Released: May 3
Thoughts: This is my new anthem, the song I’m playing on repeat. The beat is amazing. It’s super catchy. The music video is awesome. The lyrics are defintiely relatable. Overall it just works. I’m going to go a head and label this (at least my) song of the summer.
- “Mercedes Marxist” – IDLES
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Released: May 7
Thoughts: It’s punk but more in like a low-key way. The beat is like a metronome, hitting ever quarter beat. It’s mesmorizing in that sense. The words definitely sound rock-and-roll too.
- “Blame It On My Youth” – blink-182
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Released: May 8
Thoughts: This song throws back to all of blink-182’s hits with it’s rock beat, but it has a more electronic inspiration now. The lyrics still have all the teen angst, and it ends on a happy note.
- “Tough Love” – Avicii, Agnes, Vargas & Lagola
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Released: May 9
Thoughts: It’s kind of repetitive. I like it though. I kept expecting the bass to drop but it didn’t. I like how it’s not a stereotypical club song per say. There are different instruments throughout, besides the drums and electronically created sounds.
- “Stay (Don’t Go Away)” – David Guetta featuring Raye
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Released: May 9
Thoughts: It sounds like a typical club or David Guetta song. It has a bit of a different take with Raye’s voice and the beat is more complex with points that slow down. It’s defintiely a dancing song.
- “A Whole New World (End Title)” – Zayn
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Released: May 9
Thoughts: It’s like a slow jam of the original. There’s even snapping in the background. I really like this take. It doesn’t sound like a super Disney song. It also doesn’t sound like the typical Zayn song either, but it totally works, especially with Zhavia Ward. The two together are great.
- “Falling Like the Stars” – James Arthur
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Released: May 10
Thoughts: This song is definitely reminiscent of Arthur’s “Say You Won’t Let Go.” It’s another sentimental, love song, and it’s equally gorgeous. I love the soft, chorus. It’s totally the new slow dance song of the year.
- “I Don’t Care” – Ed Sheeran with Justin Bieber
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Released: May 10
Thoughts: This song quickly hit No. 1 and there’s a reason for it. Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber work so well together. The song itself is really catchy. I wouldn’t say it’s Ed Sheeran’s best but it’s still pretty great.
- Oh My Messy Mind – EP by James Bay
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Released: May 10
Thoughts: James Bay released an EP, which was all a suprise. The first song on it, “Peer Pressure,” was released in February, but the other three are new. “Bad” is more chill, but with a different sound than many of Bay’s other songs. “Rescue” sounds almost like a Hozier song. It has a great beat and is defintiely my favorite from the EP. “Break My Heart Right” is the most mellow of the four songs, with a piano as the main instrument.
- “Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” – Grace Carter
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Released: May 10
Thoughts: This is a strong song. I really like the eeriness of the background music during the verses with Carter’s voice. It’s a powerful mix. The chorus is catchy and has a great head-moving sound.
- “Crave” – Madonna with Swae Lee
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Released: May 10
Thoughts: This song has more chill vibes. It follows with the stereotypical music of this age where we have a singer and then one section of rap. It’s not a terrible song but not my favorite.
Go forth and listen! Comment your thoughts.