Image via Complex Original
Nothing says summer quite like a pool party. Day drinking always feels like you’re breaking the rules. All that bare, glistening skin on display is thrilling, and something about the heat makes everybody a little less inhibited. Cuffing season closes the minute the pool opens.
Besides, during those hazy days there’s nothing on your to-do list but mixing another cocktail, soaking up the sun, and making sure that you slick on more sunscreen after a dip. The only bad thing about summer is that it’s too short. While it lasts, throw on your bikini or board shorts, grab a beach towel, and press play on our playlist. You’re set until Labor Day.
The Knocks f/ Powers "Classic"
As far as sultry summer anthems go, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything more carefree than “Classic.” It’s as if the Knocks baked the sun into this beat. That groovy guitar riff recalls 2013’s song of the summer, Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” and those glittery synths and Powers singer Crista Ru’s sexy little “mmm-ing” might just make supermodels in itsy bitsy bikinis materialize. Hey, it’s summer—anything can happen.
Jidenna "Classic Man"
Yeah, in the video for “Classic Man,” Jidenna’s on his grown-man ish, slaying it in a suit and tie. But at its core, this is a stunt song, and you can do that no matter what you’re wearing (or not wearing). With a DJ Mustard-inspired beat (hand claps!) and fresher-than-you lyrics, this is a strong contender for the song of the summer and the perfect track for your pool version of the White Party.
The Weeknd "Can't Feel My Face"
The Weeknd swerves far left with this bright-and-breezy pop confection. In fact, it’s almost as if the Canadian-born singer relocated to Bruno Mars’ studio for the summer. Gone are his typically foggy production and creepily menacing lyrics, and in their place, Abel croons happily over Max Martin’s swirling studio work.
Major Lazer f/ Chronixx "Blaze Up the Fire"
If the sun is lulling anybody into a nap, “Blaze Up the Fire” will give them a jolt. Major Lazer ramps up reggae with this frenetic, happy production, which still manages to be melodic thanks to Chronixx. Skip “Lean On,” the overplayed single from Major Lazer’s latest album, Peace Is the Mission—this is a boisterous, ecstatic cut that will put a smile on every face and a bounce in every booty.
Nicki Minaj "Trini Dem Girls"
If Nicki can’t make the gyals whine, who can? The dancehall vibe continues with Nicki and Lunchoney Lewis’ clipped “Trini Dem Girls.” Recalling sweaty nights and skimpy clothes, it’s fast-paced enough not to drag down the party but slow enough to encourage non-island girls to give the whine a try. Nobody motivates quite like Nicki.
D.R.A.M. "Cha Cha"
If Beyoncé is cha-cha’ing, better believe that it’s only a matter of time before er’body is cha-cha’ing. OK, yes—this is a love it or hate it song, but D.R.A.M.’s woozy warbling over video game blinging and a bass line that’ll drop the bottom out of your car is perfect for when you’ve had one too many but still want to dance.
Casey Veggies f/ Iamsu! and YG "Backflip"
Slept on everywhere but L.A., Casey Veggies’ contribution to the ratchet catalog is a straight-up banger. He has Bay Area guest Iamsu! to thank for the skittering, booty-popping production, over which YG expertly slurs his verse. Everybody’s got a little stripper in ’em—what better time to do a backflip than when you have a pool to catch you?
Lil Mama "Sausage"
Lil Mama burst out of retirement just in time to deliver the sing-along song of the summer. It’s funky enough to make you pull out all those group dances that you know how to do—Whip if you’re a teenager, Cat Daddy if you’re a millennial, Running Man and Roger Rabbit if you’re, well, older. Also, it’s chockfull of catch phrases from old-school and brand-new rap songs, and also the schoolyard. Play it by the pool and you don’t even have to burst open a fire hydrant.
Rihanna "Bitch Better Have My Money" (Diplo and Grandtheft Remix)
Improving on Rihanna is hard to do. Yet Diplo and Grandtheft’s remix of her 2015 anthem, “Bitch Better Have My Money,” is both sexier and bossier than the original. Instead of just inserting in fat drops for the sake of fat drops (don’t freak out—it still slaps), they slicked on a glossy sheen that encourages flossing. The perfect song for when you feel like strutting around—not sitting by—the pool.
Fetty Wap "Trap Queen"
You can’t throw any party this summer without playing Fetty Wap’s blockbuster single. Even though it was simmering late last summer, it didn’t boil over into the mainstream until this year. The safe bet is that it’s not going anywhere anytime soon—with Fetty’s melodic chirp and catchy lyrics (expect at least one dude to hit on you this summer with the line, “I’m like hey what’s up hello?”) and so-bright-you’ll-squint synths, this is the love song of the summer.