It’s S.A.D sufferer Alistair’s turn to share his favourite albums for over the suprisingly hot summer season. Stay tuned for Marko’s next week!

Beach Boys – Endless Summer
I hope this doesn’t seem too obvious. I promise you, although the word summer appears in the title, it’s not why I chose it and I wouldn’t want you to think this is just thrown in because of Good Vibrations either, because, if you give this huge album a chance, you’ll find it’s all as good as Good Vibrations or Surfin’ U.S.A. Some of it is a little less upbeat than their hit singles, but never less charming and optimistic. Vocal harmonies like this are summer, a sunny lullaby, straight from your ipod, to fall asleep to in the sun.

The Meters- Look-ka Py Py
This album is going to pick up your mood any season. But in summer, when the sun is shining and it sort of makes you giddy, this is what you want on. If you’re walking down a street you may find yourself strutting in your shorts, or, if sat down you might find your head nodding- but ideally you want a nice back garden, a BBQ, and some good friends who know how to get dooown. The sun will do that to you.

E-603 – Torn Up
something a little more contemporary now, and though this is my most hated, most despised ‘genre’ on earth; it’s time to get the cheese out. I wouldn’t just bring out Now 46 mind, (Despite picking this number out the air, it seems you’d be getting Tom Jones and Mousse T - Sex Bomb, Spiller & Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Groovejet  and Aaliyah -Try Again. Maybe I shouldn’t just write it off!) no, if I’m doing cheese I’ll do it with class. Whilst Girl Talk holds the multi-mashup crown, E-603 is the air to the throne, throwing mainly 90’s rap over songs we all know too well. What’s more it’s free …unlike all other music…ahem, and will most certainly have that annoyingly over-excited girl screaming “Oh my god, this is my song!” every time she recognises a sample. It’s not your song. Calm down love.

She & Him – Volume One
Chances are you don’t have a convertible. As this is sort of a one-way system I’ll have to assume you don’t, but if you do, you’re in for a treat. For a sunny drive anywhere, She & Him will leave weirdly happy smiles on your faces for passing pedestrians to be unsettled by. It’s unashamedly American and indulgent, but it’s not shallow, it’s lovely and heartfelt and will compliment the wind through your hair beautifully (hair… right? I don’t want to assume. I mean, our demographics’ pretty young but whatever, you’re welcome here.). M.Ward and the radiant, alt-bro lady of choice Zooey Deschanel make up the duo whose albums fails to falter in it’s sunny disposition from beginning to  end…apart from a sort-of weird, bullshit harmonica solo 1:50 into ‘This Is Not A Test’.

Dave Matthews Band – Crash

Best. Summer Album. Ever. Crash radiates and emits happiness, optimism and contentment so powerfully I’m pretty sure a blind man would get a clear picture of what a sunny day looks like after one listen.  It’s not sickly though which is why it’s so great (Unlike this review). It’s not shoving happiness down your throat. It’s sincere, and yes, It has its quieter moments without getting too dark, but the slow build of each track to smile-breaking crescendos has the same effect as the person you most trust in the whole world telling you everything’s going to be OK. 
P.S.
That person should be AGCS… Everything’s going to be OK! Just listen.

The Spotify playlist isn’t complete, but you can get E-603 here

Alistair