Itâs not shocking that a lot of recent releases sound like theyâre steeped in nostalgia. Even pre-pandemic, the Internet hadnât let go of 2016âs âControllaâ summer, so it only makes sense that after a year of non-stop change, weâre chasing our pre-quar glory by conjuring the serene summer abandon that last year lacked.Â
From Olivia Rodrigoâs early aughts pop-punk vibe to Saweetieâs samples, these nods to the past bring us back to how things used to be (for 3 minutes at a time). But this summer will be all about setting our sights on whatâs to come and settling into a new normal. Itâs unclear what that will look like, but this month Canadian acts have given us a hint at how itâll sound. From Charlotte Day Wilsonâs soulful new single to Bambiiâs futuristic dancehall track with Beam, these are the tracks setting the tone for the summer of the vax.