Sounds of Summer - the year's best sunny songs

 Add your view

 

Sassy: The Dolly Rockers' single Gold Digger, is an anti-WAG anthem

Back on form: Paulo Nutini

In the spotlight: Mpho

Multi-racial: Kid British

Catchy: Jordin Sparks

Look here too

• Jarvis Cocker review
• Entertainment podcast

The sun is out, the barbecue is aflame and shorts are being worn by people who should not wear shorts under any circumstances. The summer, like Christmas, can be a strange time for music, when your usual taste goes to the back of the drawer beside your thick socks while enthusiastic approval is granted to songs that suddenly sound so right with the sun shining.

Albums become less important than singles as individual tracks seem to dominate the air around us, perhaps due to the increased number of open windows. They thump across from adjacent cars at traffic lights and bounce over your garden fence towards the paddling pool.

The musical sunshine that is reggae will become far more popular than it is for the other nine months of the year, reaching a peak at the end of August when the Notting Hill Carnival sends a new favourite song into the charts. We'll also become more approving of novelties, perhaps a cheesy dance number that has already been a hit in less discerning mainland Europe.

These songs will more than likely be blasting from a high-volume car radio near you in the coming weeks, many of them well on their way to becoming sizeable hits. Some are perfectly credible, others will leave you later wondering, like a drunk emerging from a blackout in September, what you were thinking when you bought them. The only thing they all have in common are tunes, tunes, tunes — great big instantly hummable melodies that seem to harmonise perfectly with the chiming call of the ice-cream van.  

One is destined to take over the season, such as Kid Rock's All Summer Long (see what he did there?) last year, Rihanna's Umbrella (number one for 10 weeks from May to July 2007) and Shakira's Hips Don't Lie in 2006. So which are the songs of the summer, and which is the one that will get stuck in our heads?

JORDIN SPARKS
Battlefield
If any song is going to be unavoidable from now on, it's this one. Sung with lung-busting power by the winner of American Idol in 2007 and written by Ryan Tedder, the man behind Leona Lewis's mega-hit Bleeding Love, it starts big and gets ever bigger with irresistible force over four minutes. The big line, “Better go and get your armour”, may well become a catchphrase as insidious as Rihanna's “Umbrella-ella-ella-eh-eh-eh”. Available now from download stores or on CD 29 June on RCA.
Number one potential 2/1

CALVIN HARRIS
Ready for the Weekend
The fly-eyed Scottish DJ already has two number ones under his belt so there's no reason to think he won't add to that tally when the title track of his forthcoming second album is released. It's not floating around the internet just yet but a recent quote suggests it is suitably tantalising: “What I'm into at the moment is the idea of stadium dance. Playing football stadiums with massive riffs, big hands-in-the-air moments.” Out on 10 Aug on Columbia. Hear it now? Not yet — keep an ear peeled on Radio 1.
Number one potential: 3/1

PAOLO NUTINI
Coming Up Easy
The croaky-voiced Scotsman's marvellous new album, number one last week, is shaping up to be a long-term resident near the top of the charts, so his next single should also fare well. While he adopts many different styles on the new songs, this one sees him aping Otis Redding with a vintage soul feel that bursts into powerful life in its final minute. Out on 10 Aug on Atlantic. Hear it now on Sunny Side Up album or at www.myspace.com/paolonutini.
Number one potential 4/1

THE DOLLY ROCKERS
Gold Digger
Britain's next inescapable girl group are almost upon us, cackling like a neverending hen night and making Atomic Kitten look like a University Challenge team. Their first proper single isn't as tacky as it might have been, with crisp funk guitar and a chorus pilfered from Stool Pigeon by Kid Creole And The Coconuts. Its anti-WAG lyrics make it sound like Heat magazine come to life. Out on 27 July on Parlophone. Hear it now at www.myspace.com/thedollyrockers.
Number one potential: 5/1

ALINA
When You Leave (Numa Numa) (Basshunter mix)
On paper, it looks unstoppable: a union between hit-making Swedish DJ Basshunter, Victoria's Secret model Alina Puscau on robotic vocals and a sickeningly catchy song that was a major hit for Moldovan boy band O-Zone in 2004. Once heard, never removed from the brain, this thundering Eurodance number is probably the summer's most irritating song and could well end up being one of its most popular, too. Out on 13 July on Positiva. Hear it now on YouTube (keywords: Basshunter Alina).
Number one potential: 6/1

MPHO
Box N Locks
Having been a backing singer for Natasha Bedingfield and Ms Dynamite, Brixton's Mpho (pronounced “Mmm-po”) steps to the centre microphone with a racing debut single that lifts the snaking guitar line from Martha and the Muffins' 1980 hit Echo Beach and takes it somewhere new and exciting. Production work from the man behind MIA and Santigold gives her credibility but her sunny sound is pure pop. Out on 20 July on Parlophone/Wall of Sound. Hear it now at www.myspace.com/mphosounds.
Number one potential: 6/1

CHIPMUNK
Diamond Rings
The school-age grime star should live up to the boasts of his earlier singles when his poppiest moment hits the shops next month. With a ska rhythm, lively horns and a shiny female vocal on a chorus about expensive jewellery, it's got the essential qualities of a crossover hit. Out on 6 July on Columbia. Hear it now on YouTube (keywords: Chipmunk Diamond Rings).
Number one potential: 8/1

KID BRITISH
Our House Is Dadless
This multi-racial Manchester quartet are going all out for a novelty hit with a jaunty single that stops just short of being a full cover version. This track is 90 per cent Our House by Madness, with a rap over the top about the modern family being more fluid and less wholesome. It's extremely catchy, but that's nothing at all to do with Kid British and everything to do with the band who wrote the original 30 years ago. Out on 6 July on Mercury. Hear it now on YouTube (keywords: Kid British Our House).
Number one potential: 8/1

THE YEAH YOU'S
15 Minutes
Grammatically incorrect apostrophes aside, geeky duo Mike Kintish and Nick Ingram are shaping up nicely to be this year's Feeling. This soft-rocking debut single, overloaded with lush harmonies and prematurely cynical lyrics about the fleeting nature of fame, has made it on to Radio 2's A-list — often a sign of a solid hit. There are plenty more big tunes to come from this pair, too. Out in download stores now or on CD Monday on Universal-Island. Hear it now on YouTube (keywords: Yeah You's Minutes).
Number one potential: 8/1

JAMIE T
Sticks 'N' Stones
Wimbledon's Jamie Treays earned a Mercury nomination for his debut album two years ago and should rise above cult status with this messy party anthem as his comeback. It's a semi-rapped, punky clatter about being “Out on the town trying to find trouble” that will sound fabulous with a beer in one hand and an overly charred burger in the other. Out on 29 June on Virgin. Hear it now at www.myspace.com/jamietwimbledon.
Number one potential: 10/1
 
BASEMENT JAXX
Raindrops
The Brixton dance duo have a knack for carnival-friendly songs and their first single in three years is one of their finest. “On a glory afternoon in June I need you,” sings Felix Buxton through a high, quivering Auto-Tune filter while layers of synths whoosh towards a sparkling chorus. Another feel-good moment from a true party act. Out on Monday on XL. Hear it now on www.myspace.com/basementjaxx.
Number one potential: 10/1

LA ROUX
Bulletproof
Brixton's Elly Jackson, she of the strange hair and superior synthpop sound, is still at number 12 after three months with her previous single In For The Kill, so it may be too much to hope for her to land another song at the top end of the charts simultaneously. Nevertheless, Bulletproof is every bit as catchy as its predecessor and will help La Roux to continue to generate scorching summer heat. Out on Monday on Polydor. Hear it now on YouTube (keywords: La Roux Bulletproof ).
Number one potential: 10/1

SEPTEMBER
Until I Die
Swedish bombshell Petra Marklund, who is September, has already released three albums in her homeland and made a hit of this song over there back in 2007. Her first British album release and a big UK push comes this year. This single sounds like a million other shiny, depth-free nightclub nothings with its grandiose synths and overwrought vocals but particularly in summer, there's a definite appetite for this type of thing. Out on 20 July on Hard2Beat. Hear it now at www.myspace.com/septemberinorbit.
Number one potential: 10/1

VV BROWN
Shark in the Water
Vanessa Brown hasn't had much luck with radio play for her singles to date, perhaps with appetites for retro soul waning after Duffy's dominance of last year. The breezy acoustic guitars and beach-appropriate title of her next effort will hopefully signal a change in fortune for one of 2009's hottest tips. Out on 6 July on Island. Hear it now at www.myspace.com/vvbrown.
Number one potential: 12/1
   
MR HUDSON
Supernova
Big things are expected of Oxford graduate Ben Hudson now that he's become the surprise best buddy of Kanye West and is primed to appear on the next Jay-Z album. This single shows off his new sound: minimal electronica and a euphoric chorus (“I feel like taking off/Let me be a supernova”) though its success depends on how much you can stomach heavily Auto-Tuned vocal effects. Out on 20 July on Mercury. Hear it now on YouTube (keywords: Hudson Supernova).
Number one potential: 12/1

LISA MITCHELL
Neopolitan Dreams
Coming sixth in Australian Pop Idol and singing on an advert for washing detergent is not the most magical start to a pop career. All the same, Kent-born, Sydney-raised Mitchell's first single, already familiar from the Surf ad, has a wonderful lightness of touch, charming with xylophone, plucked guitar and cutesy vocals. It's the prettiest thing around this summer. Out on 6 July on RCA. Hear it now at www.myspace.com/lisalisamitchell.
Number one potential: 12/1

LONDON LIVE
Where to see the sunshine bands...

Basement Jaxx
4 July Wireless Festival, Hyde Park (08444 771 000, www.wirelessfestival.co.uk)

Calvin Harris
31 July Supporting Tiësto in Victoria Park (0870 534 4444, www.tiesto.com)

Chipmunk
5 July Wireless Festival, Hyde Park (08444 771 000, www.wirelessfestival.co.uk)
19 July What Next at Somerset House (0844 847 2317, www.somersethouse.org.uk)

Jamie T
24 June Electric Ballroom, NW1 (020 7485 9006, www.electric-ballroom.co.uk)
15 Oct Brixton Academy, SW9 (0844 477 2000, www.brixton-academy.co.uk)

Lisa Mitchell
28 June Hard Rock Calling Festival, Hyde Park (0870 534 4444, www.hardrockcalling.co.uk)
1 July Water Rats Theatre, WC1 (020 7336 7326, www.themonto.com)

La Roux
10 Sept The Scala, N1 (020 7833 2022, www.scala-london.co.uk)

Mr Hudson
5 July Wireless Festival, Hyde Park (08444 771 000, www.wirelessfestival.co.uk)
18 July Lovebox Festival, Victoria Park (0870 534 4444, www.lovebox.net)

Mpho
16 July Wonky Pop at Punk, W1 (020 7734 4004, www.punksoho.
co.uk)
18 July Lovebox Festival, Victoria Park (0870 534 4444, www.lovebox.net)

Paolo Nutini
10 July iTunes Festival, Roundhouse, NW1 (www.ituneslive.co.uk)
30 Sept Apollo Hammersmith, W6 (0870 400 0700, www.hammersmithapollo.net)

VV Brown
17 July Club NME at Koko, NW1 (0870 432 5527, www.koko.uk.com).
18 July Lovebox Festival, Victoria Park (0870 534 4444, www.lovebox.net)

 

What's on today   What's on tomorrow

Receive our newsletter