8 Great Albums and Movies that Scream Summer
Summertime. It’s a season that carries with it a distinct mood that we associate with many things, not the least of which are music and movies. Today marks the first official day of summer, and I decided to make a list of eight albums and movies that have become inextricably linked to summer in my mind.
Albums:
The Avalanches- Since I Left You (2000)
Assembled from approximately 3,500 different samples, The Avalanches’ debut extravaganza was bound to be somewhat disjointed, yet nothing about this album is out of place. An hour long voyage of sunny, dynamic electronic tunes that can get a party started and also doubles as a concept album, Since I Left You remains a high point in the art of plunderphonics.
Standout tracks: "Since I Left You,” “Two Hearts in ¾ Time,” “Close to You,” “A Different Feeling,” “Electricity,” “Frontier Psychiatrist,” “Live at Dominoes,” “Extra Kings”
Anderson .Paak- Malibu (2016)
“I enjoy some of the old and I enjoy the new and if I can find a balance between it, that’s where I find my satisfaction.” So states a 1950's surfer being interviewed on a skit from the final track of Malibu, “The Dreamer,” and it’s a spot-on description of Anderson .Paak as an artist. An old soul who is a seasoned musician (he plays the drums) and a jack-of-all-trades, he can do everything from west coast rap to R&B to crooning over old school soul, funk, and disco, and even some 1960’s-tinged surf rock. Despite being an overlooked release (no thanks to it coming out in the dead of winter), Malibu was one of the very best albums of 2016 and it is the perfect summer record if I've ever heard one. On top of being incredibly eclectic and featuring some awesome live instrumentation, this album is so replayable that I must have listened to it at least 20 times in its entirety since it came out at the beginning of last year. .Paak is an effortless performer who never ceases to entertain, and this album knows how to keep it fun while not forgetting to include some real pathos too. An absolute joy to listen to.
Standout tracks: “The Bird,” “Heart Don’t Stand a Chance,” “The Waters,” “The Season / Carry Me,” “Put Me Thru,” “Am I Wrong,” “Without You,” “Parking Lot,” "Come Down," “Celebrate,” “The Dreamer”
Flamingosis- Bright Moments (2016)
Living up to its title, electronic producer Flamingosis’ Bright Moments is an instrumental hip hop tape full of jazzy and groovy instrumentation and tons of well-chosen soul samples. Front to back, it’s sure to put you in a great mood.
Standout tracks: “Bright Moments,” “Next to You,” “Feelings of Sentimentality Due to Getting Curved,” “Believe in Me,” “Brunch at the Bodega,” “An 8 Ball Affair,” “What Went Wrong?,” “Sunset Park,” “Passing By”
CeeLo Green- The Lady Killer (2010)
It’s funny to think about now in 2017, but only seven years ago, CeeLo Green was once a very relevant presence in the music industry. You might remember his viral hit song “Fuck You” but other than that, he’s kind of just faded off into obscurity. Nobody listens to it anymore, but The Lady Killer is actually a really solid classic soul LP that’s been updated with modern production and lyrical content. Though it may not have much to offer in the way of innovation, you’ll be hard-pressed to find many better pop albums from the 2010’s than it.
Standout tracks: “Bright Lights Bigger City,” “Fuck You,” “Wildflower,” “Satisfied,” “I Want You,” “Fool for You,” “It’s OK,” “No One’s Gonna Love You”
Chance the Rapper- Coloring Book (2016)
A choice that's almost too obvious, but it’s way too feel-good (outside of a few unnecessary outliers) to not include on this list. Uplifting Chicago gospel rap for the win!
Standout tracks: “All We Got,” “No Problem,” “Summer Friends,” “D.R.A.M. Sings Special,” “Blessings,” “Same Drugs,” “Angels,” “How Great,” “Finish Line / Drown,” “Blessings (reprise)”
M.I.A.- Kala (2007)
Not many artists were more influential on the development of modern pop music embracing global sounds than M.I.A., and few have done it better. In her prime, M.I.A. was a creative force who really could do no wrong, and Kala is the crown jewel of her discography. Giving a voice to the politically disenfranchised and pulling musical styles from all over the world, rarely has dance music ever felt this vital. From the opening track onward, this thing just goes, and these beats still sound fresh ten years after the fact. Also, it’s got one of the best singles of the 21st century in “Paper Planes.”
Standout tracks: “Bamboo Banga,” "Bird Flu," “Boyz,” “Jimmy,” “Hussel,” “20 Dollar,” “The Turn,” “XR2,” “Paper Planes,” “Come Around”
Tama Impala- Lonerism (2012)
Probably the peak of neo-psychedelia, Lonerism, aside from some synths and electronic textures, sounds like it could have come out in the summer of 1967. Its expansive arrangements, warm guitar textures, and sweet melodies give it an undeniable summer feel, and what’s great is you can listen to these songs in the background and let the gliding psych rock production wash over you, or you can actively listen to it and hear some great songwriting about feeling isolated from the rest of the world and learning how to accept that.
Standout tracks: “Endors Toi,” “Apocalypse Dreams,” “Mind Mischief,” “Music to Walk Home By,” “Why Won’t They Talk to Me?,” “Keep on Lying,” “Elephant,” “She Just Won’t Believe Me,” “Nothing That has Happened So Far has Been Anything We Could Control”
Beach House- Teen Dream (2010)
The most unconventional album of this list in that it’s a slow, melancholy breakup album. But Teen Dream is so dreamy and hazy and nostalgic, I always find myself drawn to it every summer. Beach House isn’t for everyone, but if you are willing to lose yourself in their music, it really can be an enrapturing experience. This album is unique because it’s essentially 10 perfectly written dream pop songs on their own that all blend together and build off one another, making the album seem like one long continuous song. Best listened to late at night for maximum effect.
Standout tracks: All of them or none of them (depending on how you want to look at it)
Movies:
Moonrise Kingdom (2012, directed by Wes Anderson)
If you aren’t that into movies, chances are that you have never heard of Wes Anderson. As one of the most successful independent American film directors, Anderson specializes in stories that do a wonderful job mixing quirky comedy and drama, with a peculiar visual style full of bright colors and symmetrical shots that is instantly recognizable once you familiarize yourself with a few of his movies. Following two young kids who fall in love and run off from a small town off the New England coast to live together in the wilderness in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom is a perfect introduction to Anderson's brand of storytelling. It’s a delightful treat that almost anyone can enjoy and get something out of. Currently streaming on Netflix.
Jackie Brown (1997, directed by Quentin Tarantino)
Unlike Wes Anderson, Quentin Tarantino needs no introduction, as he made some of the most popular films of the past 25 years with the likes of Pulp Fiction, Inglourious Basterds, and Django Unchained. One of his lesser known movies, however, is Jackie Brown, a caper surrounding its titular flight attendant character that pays direct homage to the Blaxploitation films of the 1970’s. Though it may not have the same freewheeling energy that can be found in many of Tarantino’s other movies, it’s got a great laid-back vibe with characters that are a lot of fun to spend time with. Pam Grier, Robert Forster, and Samuel L. Jackson are so good in this movie.
Everybody Wants Some!! (2016, directed by Richard Linklater)
Everybody Wants Some!! might have the most appropriate tag-line for any movie: “Here for a good time, not a long time.” Coincidentally, this tag-line could not be more true for summer. Taking place over the last couple days before the beginning of the fall semester starts, the film revolves around a group of baseball players and the various shenanigans they engage in. It’s the epitome of a “hangout movie”- there’s no goal-driven protagonist, no dramatic stakes, and no real plot to speak of- and on the strength of its endearing characters, Everybody Wants Some!! is a complete blast from start to finish, with a fantastic 1980's college setting.
Boogie Nights (1997, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson):
If someone forced me to pick one word to describe Boogie Nights, it would be 'Alive'. Like Goodfellas if it were set in the San Fernando Valley’s porn scene during the 1970’s instead of the mafia, it's a film made with supreme confidence and overflowing with infectious energy at every turn, thanks to an amazing ensemble cast (including Mark Wahlberg in his breakout role) and Paul Thomas Anderson's impeccable writing and direction. Adding to this feeling is a seemingly never-ending soundtrack that plays like a greatest hits mixtape of disco, soul, and pop-rock from the 70's and 80's. The opening tracking shot, instantly pulling us into this world and introducing us to all the major characters as the camera smoothly floats through a night club with "Best of My Love" playing in the background, is on the short list of best opening scenes of all time.
Y Tu Mamá También (2001, directed by Alfonso Cuarón)
Y Tu Mamá También holds a special significance for me. I first watched it in 2014 right before I went on a trip to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park with Devaraj and a couple of his friends, so now whenever I watch this movie, it brings back memories of my own trip. I’ve never seen a movie that captures what going on a roadtrip feels like and looking back on it as a defining life experience better than this. Come for the raunchy humor and sex, stay for the brilliant wisdom dispensed about life. Currently streaming on Netflix.
Sing Street (2016, directed by John Carney)
One of the best movies about music in a while, Sing Street is about a young lad growing up in Dublin in the 80’s who decides to start a band with his friends, showcasing how making music can represent an extension of ourselves, helping us get through tough times and grow as individuals. As you would expect, it’s got a great soundtrack, not just of pre-recorded songs but also the songs that the kids write and perform in the movie, which are all catchy, well-written, and aide in propelling the narrative forward. Just like the music featured in it, Sing Street is a crowd-pleaser in every sense of the word! Currently streaming on Netflix.
The Before Trilogy (1995, 2004, & 2013, directed by Richard Linklater)
Richard Linklater made a movie called Boyhood (2014) by shooting it over the course of 12 straight years so that the actors aged over the course of the film, but that’s not the only time he has experimented with time in regards to filming something. His Before Trilogy consists of 3 films made over the span of 18 years, each taking place nine years apart. Each of them has the same two main actors and characters, and each of them takes place over the course of a short period that these characters are together for. In the first one, Before Sunrise, youthful Jesse and Celine have a chance encounter on a train going to Vienna, get to know one another, hit it off, and the rest is history. I love these films because they are dialogue marathons (all that happens is Jesse and Celine talk to one other) and the conversations they have about various topics are fascinating. The way these movies were made is also really cool because it allows you to trace how these characters have changed in the time between each installment and fill in the blanks, and there’s some great scenery in the forms of Vienna, Paris, and Greece, respectively, that makes me want to travel around Europe sometime. Summer is the season of romance, and these movies are three of the best of their genre.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001, directed by Steven Soderbergh)
Look up the word “suave” in the dictionary, and you’ll find the above shot from Ocean’s Eleven. In all seriousness though, this movie has to be one of the most fun, well put together heist movies ever made, and maybe the perfect example of Hollywood star power. So, so flashy and slick that it’s nearly impossible to dislike. The standout editing and jazzy soundtrack help the whole film sail along at a wonderful pace that's always moving. And watching the heist itself unfold is worth the payoff: it's flawlessly executed and directed with surgical precision. Sometimes it's nice to watch a movie devoid of any cynicism that is just great escapism, and that's exactly what Ocean's Eleven provides in spades.