Enjoying summer, k-dreamers? Do I have some song suggestions for you! Whether you’re hanging out on the beach, suffering from summer love, or spending all your late nights spiralling in your thoughts, there’s bound to be a song you can listen to in this article. Today we have “Sexo en la playa” by Alizzz and Amaia (Spain), “Corazón” by Alfred García (Spain), “I Had It All And Let It Go” by Benjamin Ingrosso (Sweden), and “The Moment” by Ryan O’Shaughnessy (Ireland).
Alizzz, Amaia – Sexo en la playa
Knowing how to speak French means that I understand what the title translates to. “Sexo en la playa” is a nice summer song, perfect for those casual drives (too bad I don’t have a license). There’s some nice use of silence and syncopation in this song so it doesn’t feel repetitive. If you listen closely, the song subtly builds in intensity through its instrumentation. Something else I enjoyed about this song is how well Alizzz and Amaia bounce their energy off each other. Their chemistry is undeniable.
Worth a revisit: YES
Alfred García – Corazón
At first listen, I wasn’t immediately hooked by “Corazón.” That was until I checked out the lyrics. I never would have guessed that the song was actually about being in denial after a heartbreak. Can you imagine? “Oh yeah, just got my heart ripped in two, but no biggie.” Alfred García delivers the lyrics with just the right amount of nonchalance and that’s what sold me on this song after another listen. I actually had trouble choosing between Amaia and Alfred because I liked both of their songs for completely different reasons. Ulitmately, I went with the summer bop.
Worth a revisit: YES
Benjamin Ingrosso – I Had It All And Let It Go
This is definitely not what I was expecting from the guy who sang “Dance You Off.” First of all, you don’t see a lot of pop songs these days with a refrain instead of a chorus. While the title may be long, it’s very evocative (someone else is on the breakup train with Alfred, I see). Another thing I’d like to highlight is the haunted feeling I get from this song. The ebbing synths, the arpeggiating piano, and the ample amounts of reverb give “I Had It All And Let It Go” a reverent sound. I don’t know how often I would go back to this song, but if I ever need a good cry, I might put it on.
Worth a revisit: YES
Ryan O’Shaughnessy – The Moment
“The Moment” has this sound that is right between chill and hype. Since my musical tastes tend towards the extreme (either really hype or something like Benjamin’s ballad), this song doesn’t quite do it for me. That being said, it perfectly captures this introspective feeling you might get when you’re lying in bed at 3 in the morning, wishing you could turn your brain off and sleep. Also, there’s this line in the song that goes: “Nobody can escape this life unless you try.” Did anyone else find that a little ominous, or is it just me?
Worth a revisit: NO