What's the song of the summer? Options range from Sabrina Carpenter to Shaboozey, Sexyy Red and beyond

PHILADELPHIA — What’s the song of the summer?

If there could only be one, it would obviously be Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso,” a perfectly enticing confection whether sipped while still steaming hot or over ice.

But, of course, there’s more than one. We live in a to-each-their-own pop music universe. And in fact, the Bucks County native Carpenter has two all by herself, including her equally infectious “Please Please Please,” which has now passed “Espresso” on the pop charts.

So this annotated Spotify playlist is just that. Not a ranking of SOTS candidates, but a playlist that mixes name brand bangers with quieter, more bittersweet mood pieces, and includes plenty of Philly music makers besides Carpenter, like Snacktime, Dr. Dog, Bilal, and Best Bear.

Sabrina Carpenter, “Espresso.” Nonsensical, sugary, and delicious. Isn’t that what summertime pop is supposed to be? The cream on the Quakertown native’s hit has just the right amount of froth as it pulls inspiration from early 1980s pop-R&B.

Hozier, “Too Sweet.” The tall, dark, and soulful Irishman has a hit to rival his career-making 2013 “Take Me to Church.” The bass line grabs you, but what does that lyric about the TSA mean?

Billie Eilish, “Lunch.” “Been tryin’ hard not to overeat, you’re just so sweet.” Billie Eilish is at her most lusty on this tasty treat about “a craving, not a crush,” as she announces, “I could eat that girl for lunch.”

Charli XCX, “The Girl, So Confusing.” Charli XCX has written many hits for other artists like Icona Pop and Iggy Azalea, but now she has conquered the mainstream with her very own "Brat." “The Girl, So Confusing” caused concern among fans who thought it dissed Lorde, who assures us all is well on this remix.

Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us.” The victory lap that capped Lamar’s rap battle, in which he starts off with an allusion to M. Night Shyamalan’s "The Sixth Sense," and then proceeds to call Drake “a colonizer.”

Snacktime, “Spaceluv.” The Philly horn happy party outfit continues to branch out on its latest single, which leans into interplanetary Parliament-Funkadelic funk.

...continued

swipe to next page