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As we look forward to hot days, barbecues, music fests and marrying musical moments to future memories, Part Three of Hive’s Summer Special forecasts what’s on the radar for Summer 2011.
We asked our panel of experts: What’s hot for summer 2011?
Andrew Nosnitsky (Founder/blogger, Cocaineblunts)
The song of the summer is either going to be something terrible, something by Lil B or, perhaps preferably, something terrible by Lil B. (Follow Andrew at @noz)
Bethany Cosentino (Guitarist/vocalist, Best Coast)
Obviously, the whole surf thing is pretty popular still and it will continue to be popular. You wanna listen to music in the summer that makes you feel more summery so a lot of the bands that are working in that genre, you’ll be seeing a lot of those bands at the festivals. But I also always feel like over the summer, I’ll start listening to a lot more rap. There’s going to be a rap song that comes out soon that will be everybody’s party jam, I just haven’t heard it yet. (Follow Bethany at @bestycoastyy)
Lizzi Bougatos (Singer/percussionist, Gang Gang Dance)
Rockaway Beach, N.Y. is gonna pop out this summer. Veggie Island is definitely a highlight there. There’s already a group of artists/musicians living out there. You can get great kale juices, pestos, all organic … made by my friends. I recommend the smoothie, Selassie Lassi. (Gang Gang Dance‘s new album Eye Contact is out now.)
Matt Pinfield (Host, 120 Minutes/120 Seconds)
I believe the band and song that will reach critical mass this summer will be Foster the People‘s “Pumped Up Kicks.” Taking the reigns from MGMT and following in the footsteps of “Kids,” this will be the new summer anthem!
Jessica Suarez (Editor, Stereogum)
People want their summer songs light, catchy and danceable. That’s why I’m excited about Grimes and EMA. These women take elements of summer music and make them dark and mossy. Grimes honed her eerie voice by singing along to Mariah Carey songs. The result is a photo negative of summer music — gothic R&B. EMA’s “California” debunks the mythology of fun-in-the-sun beach pop without sacrificing its sense of humor. I’m hoping they’ll feel like cool shade this summer.
James Montgomery (Senior Editor, MTV News)
Sadly, I think it’ll probably be Katy Perry‘s “Last Friday Night (TGIF),” because it’s basically a precision-guided missile aimed at the summer charts. They did the same thing last summer with “California Gurls,” and look how well that panned out. And sure, that sucks, since determining the official jam of summer used to be an organic, downright democratic thing. Also, the song’s about getting hammered and sleeping with a total stranger, which, as anyone who’s ever been to the Shore can tell you, is about all there is to do in the summer. Deliciously, diabolically brilliant. (Follow James at @positivnegativ)
Lizzy Goodman (New York)
I’m obsessed with the song “Losers” by L.A. band the Belle Brigade. They sound like Fleetwood Mac but instead of being dysfunctional lovers, they’re brother and sister. (Follow Lizzy at @lizzydgoodman)
Eric Spitznagel (Vanity Fair, Playboy, The Believer)
I like Bon Iver‘s “Calgary,” the first single from his upcoming album Bon Iver. It reminds me of a summer camp counselor who played guitar during campfires and smelled like patchouli and weed. That’s kinda why I like Bon Iver.
Craig “Dodge” Lile (Founder/blogger, My Old Kentucky Blog)
Cults might be that small band that is poised for next-level mainstreaming. EMA, Tennis and Yuck are 2011 favorites of mine that will continue to rise. (Follow Craig at @DodgeMOKB)
Luis Tolvar (Founder/blogger, Pretty Much Amazing)
After releasing the much ballyhooed House of Balloons, the Weeknd are sure to break out in an even bigger way with their upcoming summer-released mixtape Thursday, and the subsequent fall-released mixtape Echos of Silence. This duo gives the anemic contemporary R&B game the Pulp Fiction-esque adrenaline shot it needs, right in its drug-addled, broken heart. “Wicked Games” is a must-hear. (Follow Luis at @pmablog)
