Mercury-Rising Mixtape

Summer is synonymous with dynamic sounds, and this month there’s a handful of must-hear releases that are guaranteed to be on constant repeat. To make things easier, we’ve handpicked a slew of über-hot tracks that have already been getting a lot of play at our HQ. Turn it up and have fun in the sun with these warm weather tunes! — Hayley Elisabeth Kaufman

Listen

Michael Angelakos’s ability to craft a pop song with depth. With nostalgic piano tinkering and swirling synth tones, it’s easy to understand this band’s devoted following.

Frank ocean, “pyramids” Best know for his affiliation with the ruckus-loving Odd Future crew, Frank Ocean’s smoothed-out R&B grooves are steeped in confessional lyrical word play, sick beats, and a subversive take on retro slow jams. “Pyramids” is a prog-soul groove that clocks in at an epic ten-minutes long. But guess what? The track ebbs and flows to reveal more complex sonic layers that make you want to keep listening.

Purity ring, “obedear” Tricked-out beats and slithering synth tones meld with sugary vocals on the slightly goth-tinged single “Obedear,” which has been garnering attention on the top music blogs. We won’t judge you if you feel compelled to play this dark pop track more than thrice.

Michael Kiwanuka, “Tell Me a Tale”

With a soul-filled voice and romantic lyrics that are anything but precious, Michael Kiwanuka is Britain’s answer to classic soul purveyors like Curtis May-field and Marvin Gaye. “Tell Me a Tale” features 1960s-styled orchestration, rich vocals, and a thunderous horn section for extra sonic drama. The best part is a slinky breakdown fit for a steamy romp in the sheets.

Electric Guest, “This Head I Hold”

Electric Guest’s “This Head I Hold” is funky electro-pop at its finest. With delicious percussion and Asa Taccone’s sexy falsetto, this tune will get you groovin’ in no time. Let’s just say there’s a reason Danger Mouse signed on to produce the duo’s debut album: these guys are legit.

Twin shadow, “five seconds” Synth-heavy and sultry, this new wave-influenced track has been played an embarrassing amount of times in our world. With a beat that could easily incite dancing—or an epic makeout sesh—Twin Shadow has made a fine art out of subtle sonic seduction.

Passion pit, “take A WALK” Effervescent yet lyrically complex, Passion Pit’s new single “Talk a Walk” showcases frontman and songwriter