With summertime officially here, it’s time to roll down the windows and crank up the music. With some of the hottest CDs out now, many listeners will want to do just that. Whether planning a party or relaxing poolside, here’s a short list of some of the newest music that’s sure to keep you cool during the hot summer months.
Gnarls Barkley, “St. Elsewhere” – With its infectious beats and catchy lyrics, this collaboration between onetime Goodie Mob singer Cee-Lo Green and in-demand producer (and Gorillaz member) Danger Mouse makes it nearly impossible to resist the urge to get up and dance. Every song on this whirlwind of a debut is almost as good as its first hit, “Crazy,” and is the perfect choice for a party.
Nelly Furtado, “Loose” – Now, I’ve never been a huge Nelly Furtado fan, however, after giving her first single from this CD, “Promiscuous,” a listen upon the insistence of my roommate, I was pleasantly surprised. For her third record, Furtado smartly chose producer Timbaland as her main collaborator and he’s managed to refresh both her look and sound. “Loose” offers an eclectic mix of pop, hip-hop and Latin, providing the perfect soundtrack for the summer.
The Raconteurs, “Broken Boy Soldiers” – This collaborative effort from the White Stripes’ Jack White and fellow musician Brendan Benson sounds like something the White Stripes would do if they were, say, happy. “Soldiers” also gives listeners a taste of what Jack White sounds like when he’s not confined by the boundaries of the White Stripes, which is what’s really fun about this disc.
Dashboard Confessional, “Dusk and Summer” – I was rather surprised by this album. The sound is pretty different from anything that the band has put out before, but it’s definitely different in a good way. It’s a little harder, a little edgier, and strays even further from their acoustic roots than “A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar” did, but it still features the heartbreaking lyrics we’ve come to expect from singer Chris Carabba. That alone is enough to keep this CD in my stereo throughout the summer.
Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Stadium Arcadium” – OK, I’m just going to come out and say it: I don’t like the Chili Peppers. I know, I know, who doesn’t like the Chili Peppers? Well, I don’t, but regardless, their latest album has turned out to be quite successful. After giving it a listen, I wasn’t too surprised by what I heard – the band does have a pretty distinct sound – but it’s those psychedelic, groove jams you’d expect from the Chili Peppers, which makes it a great summertime CD.
