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Stay inside away from the summer heat this weekend, and listen to some warm, summer-y songs. Celebrate your weekend with this playlist of a few new songs, a few old songs, and a few songs in-between. Relax. It's still summer. For now.
All of these songs are up-beat, rock-and-roll Americana. They all feel warm like the late summer weather.
"Hard to Live in the City" by Albert Hammond, Jr.
Yours to Keep, the debut album for Albert Hammond, Jr., is full of gems. Hammond, Jr., was the guitarist for The Strokes before launching his own solo career, and "Hard to Live" is the perfect intro track for this mix of up-beat Americana.
"Fade Away" by Intergalactic Lovers
The Intergalactic Lovers have always sounded like a band that would in the background of an indie flick about teenage love, and "Fade Away" exemplifies that. It has a steady beat, and Lara Chedraoui's voice is soothing and captivating.
"On the Road" by Houndmouth
Here's an up-beat song about self-doubt. That could sound counter-intuitive until you catch yourself singing aloud, sunnily, "I'm going down where nobody knows me."
"Don't Wanna Try" by Saskwatch
This band has everything: trumpets, a six-piece backing band, and a lead female singer with a voice filled with soul and heartache.
"Gimme Something Good" by Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams took a break for a few years to produce (see: Jenny Lewis's new album). But "Gimme Something Good," his new single, has a great guitar riff melding with Adams's signature, blues-inspired voice.
"Bad Self Portraits" by Lake Street Dive
Lake Street Drive sits at the intersection of indie, jazz, and soul. Front-woman Rachel Price sings a beautiful story of learning to be alone in a world full of coupling atop a lovely piano composition.
"Relator" by Pete Yorn
Not even Scarlett Johansson's inclusion on this Pete Yorn trak can diminish just how beautifully upbeat it is.
"Out the Door" by Ben Kweller
Ben Kweller used to be a member of now-defunct band Radish before venturing off on his own to record soulful rock and roll. This has notes of old Tom Petty and solid Americana rock.
"I'm Shakin'" by Jack White
Jack White is one of the busiest musicians recording right now and one of the most talented. This single from Blunderbuss showcases his technical skill on guitar and is incredibly cachy. Written by Rudy Toombs, "I'm Shakin'" is a song that will stick in your mind for week.
"Mess Is Mine" by Vance Joy
Vance Joy's new album Dream Your Life Away will release on September 5, but he released "Mess Is Mine" early. You may have heard his earlier single "Riptide," which went five times platinum in Australia, but "Mess Is Mine" is tighter and a better song all around.
"6th Avenue Heartache" by The Wallflowers
This Americana playlist would not be complete without a song by The Wallflowers. "6th Avenue Heartache," the leadoff single from the group's most popular album, Bringing Down the Horse, is a great option.
"Crane Your Neck" by Lady Lamb and the Beekeeper
Aly Spaltro is a young musician to watch. Her voice has more range than most folk singers, and she manages to harness twang without over-killing it.
"A Heartbreak" by Angus & Julia Stone
Angus & Julia Stone, another Australian group, closes out this Americana-inspired mix. The duo has been on the verge of big popularity for a few years, but its self-titled new debut is a bold change in sound for the better.
Listen to this week's playlist here:
