9 of the absolute best summer bangers

Bougenvilla feat. Jared Hiwat - Homeless

Sampled from the classic Gypsy Woman - Crystal Waters, this rendition is forever my number one summer anthem. I hear this song and automatically feel the summer. It's uplifting, fun and melodic and everything you need from a summer song.

- Elle Farrell-Kingsley

Tez Cadey - Seve

This song is so calming and is perfect for a summer head bop, chilling on the beach or just a scenic summer walk. Cadey is said to have created the song to capture the feeling of the summer, and it worked perfectly. 

- Elle Farrell-Kingsley

Lilly Wood & The Prick and Robin Schulz - Prayer In C (Robin Schulz Remix)

- Elle Farrell-Kingley

Post Malone - Only Wanna Be With You (Pokémon 25 Version)

Originally released by rock band Hootie & the Blowfish in 1995, Post Malone’s cover of ‘Only Wanna Be With You’ is an upbeat track recorded to coincide with the 25 year anniversary of Pokémon. The music video features an animated Post Malone singing the song while various Pokémon make cameos throughout. Malone’s distinct vocal style enhances this cover and it is clear that he has fun while delivering his lines, resulting in an easy-listening song that absolutely channels summer vibes. 

- Ali Muzaffar 

Glass Animals - Heat Waves

Released in June 2020, ‘Heat Waves’ went somewhat under the radar until earlier this year, when the song climbed the charts in multiple territories and eventually spent six weeks at number one in the Australia ARIA Singles Chart. The music video was described by frontman Dave Bayley as ‘a love letter to live music and the culture and togetherness surrounding it’. With a thudding beat that adds momentum to the song, propelling listeners through it, coupled with an infectiou

- Ali Muzaffar

Childish Gambino - Summertime Magic

Yes, it’s an obvious pick, but Childish Gambino has truly narrowed down the essence of the season in this song. Part of his two track EP Summer Pack released in 2018, its twin song Feels Like Summer also deserves an honourable mention. Adding to the titular magic of this song, Summertime Magic features in Gambino’s short film Guava Island that co-starred Rihanna. Gambino (real name Donald Glover) has become one of the coolest artists of the past decade for a reason – he knows how to create irresistibly smooth earworms. 

- Claire Jenns

Mr. Probz – Waves (Robin Schulz Radio Edit)

This is my ultimate summer track. It’s rare that a remix of a song becomes more popular than the original, but German DJ Robin Schulz’s remix of Mr. Probz’s R&B track turned out to be a summery match made in heaven and topped international charts upon its release in 2014. Even if you aren’t a fan of house music, the track’s soft rock guitar and Mr. Probz’s raspy vocals will draw you right in. When I think about lying on a sunny tropical beach, this is the song that plays in my head.

- Claire Jenns

Full Crate ft. Latanya Alberto & Uhmeer – Getaway

We all need a ‘Getaway, especially in the summer, and this song provides that and so much more. The perfect hybrid of Funk, Jazz and Hip Hop, Full crate presents a refreshing take on a summer slammer with this tune. Released in 2020 as part of the ‘In All Honesty’ album, Full Crate uses his influence of Dutch and Armenian culture to create unusual sounds and beats, so every song is different in genre and flow. If you like Getaway you will surely find another track to give you that much needed feel good feel. 

- De-mornae Clarke

Shakka – Solo ft Goldlink

Shakka never fails to bring the heat when it comes to a summer time song! Solo ft Goldlink is a heavy percussion track that takes its influences from Afro Beats and RnB, aiming to get you moving and rocking this season. Shakka gained traction with his track ‘Man Down’ ft Aluna George in 2018 but has since been a pioneer in the UK RnB scene producing, mixing and singing on his tracks and showcasing his talent through social media and Youtube. When I think of UK summer, Shakka and solo will always come to mind – it is just too good not to. 

- De-mornae Clarke