Check out the “Playlist” track by Battlemode. (Photo Dave Green Photography)
We got the best bands, and songwriters, and MCs, and pop geniuses. So why can’t we have the Song of the Summer?
If you were tired of “I Had Some Help” the first time you heard it, check out these Massachusetts born or based artists’ SotS contenders.
“Playlist,” Battlemode
This track sounds like Ibiza in August. And Sheffield in 1980. And a classic Casey Kasem countdown jam. And the Pill at Great Scott, yacht rock, pop hip hop, NKOTB, “Super Mario Brothers,” and the “St. Elmo’s Fire” soundtrack. And it sounds like these all at once. But that’s not what’s so impressive about “Playlist.” Somehow this local trio crammed all this into a power packed Top 40 groove that’s actually effortlessly fun.
“Pardon My Space,” Billy Dean Thomas
Mellow but not chill. Summery but not light. Hip hop champion Billy Dean Thomas dropped this track via Instagram around Memorial Day, but “Pardon My Space” works for Juneteenth, July 4, Labor Day, any day in October, and every day of 2025. While the flow, beats and keys fit with summer vibe (as does the beach-themed video), the lyrics are deeply introspective, exploring the necessity to carve out space to heal even when it means distancing yourself from the ones you love.
“Summer of U,” Coral Moons
The title gets Coral Moons in the door. But the big hooks, big energy, and wistful vibe lock this one in as a new summer classic. Inspired by the ecstasy of the group’s 2022 Boston Calling set, the track triangulates power pop, indie pop, and straight Top 40 pop for a song that’s a bit sad and utterly catchy. Bonus points: the charming video features the band’s splash down on a log flume.
“Dragged Down,” The Downhauls
Ah, summer. Pools and punk rock, patios and PBR tallboys, surf and sweat rolling down the back of your neck as you cram up against the stage in some dank club. The Song of the Summer doesn’t need to be breezy or cheesy. The Downhauls know this. On Aug. 2 at Deep Cuts in Medford, the Mass punk queens celebrate the release of hard-charging split 7’’ “Trash Fest” with pals Duck & Cover. “Dragged Down” kicks off the 7’’ with a growl just a notch tougher than “Bad Reputation.”
“Don’t Blame It On Love,” John Powhida
If you wish Prince, Hall, Oates & Todd Rundgren were the Fab Four (and Frank Zappa was their George Martin), you’ll probably go ape for John Powhida’s new LP “Jerry’s House.” The album is too big, bizarre, fun and fabulous to swallow in a hundred-word bite — go see him Aug. 15 at the Burren Backroom for the full Powhida experience. But “Don’t Blame It On Love” can serve as an intro to the glory: It’s a cheeky rock ‘n’ roll rave up that’s one long crescendo spotted by hooks, thumps, and guitar squeals.
“Catherine What Have You Done,” Western Education
Synth pop plus indie rock plus emo is a great formula to start with. But infecting the keyboard-and-guitar rush with just the right dash of darkness elevates this banger from Western Education. The just-dropped lead single from the Lowell aces’ coming LP “Millennial Youth,” “Catherine What Have You Done” will have you tearing up as you tear up the dancefloor.
