Staff Playlist – Songs to listen to right now

“Calm Down”
THE LOVE LANGUAGE
A soaring, summer shout-out echoes far above the beefy, club-cut rhythm of this opening salvo from The Love Language on the band’s third full-length record Ruby Red, arriving July 23. It still sounds like Phil Specter girl groups fuzzed up with garage guitars, but now these bubbly sing-a-longs have solid anchors.

“When a Fire Starts to Burn”
DISCLOSURE
A very young English duo that’s been making slick dance tracks with of-the-moment guest stars, Disclosure released its first full-length, Settle, in June. This opening track is an energizing sermon, a mantra built on a lyric that repeats over the beat.

“Diamond”
LIGHTNING DUST
One of the many side projects of Southern rock band Black Mountain, Lightning Dust is a more down-tempo affair with the band mixing in a few more drum machines alongside a spooky atmosphere and Amber Webber’s gentle coo.

“The Unknown”
FOXES
This catchy summer tune from London’s Foxes is the ideal pop song for driving with the windows down and the wind in your hair. Or dancing around the room with the A/C cranked up high. Whatever works.