The Playlist: The 1975, Panic! At The Disco, & Yellowcard August 29, 2013 By Kim Conway

It’s not over yet, kids. We’ve still got a few days left of glorious summer (and August, for that matter). Before I start looking for new sweater-weather tunes, I want to wind down with three more sun- soaked ones. These artists all made my soundtrack to summer possible and I look forward to hearing new albums from some of them this fall.

Our last summer jam session starts now:

1. The 1975 - Chocolate

The 1975 have been around a while, but I only just discovered them on a hunt for a new alt-rock band to get hooked on. The first time I heard “Chocolate,” I fell in love with the guitar plucking along behind the accented vocals. It’s a little pop, a little indie, and a little alt-rock. While I still have yet to learn more than a few lyrics, this track scores for me in that it’s got a catchy melody and verses that keep me guessing. The 1975’s self-titled album comes out next Tuesday, September 3rd.

2. Panic! At The Disco – This Is Gospel

Their album drop is still nearly two months away and I’m ridiculously addicted to the second track released from it. “This Is Gospel” opens with Brendon’s vocals accompanied by a heartbeat, then slowly picks up with a more solid rhythm. At the 0:36-second mark, the beat stops as Brendon screams, if you love me, let me go and the instrumental rushes back in. This song is undeniably catchy, with the lyrics that punch you in the gut and a chorus that swoops in after every verse. I don’t see myself getting sick of this track ever. If you have any doubts about Panic’s return, listen to this one. It’s a keeper.

3. Yellowcard – Ocean Avenue (Acoustic)

No summer playlist would be complete without a little nostalgia, which I’m delivering through Yellowcard. Since the band released Ocean Avenue Acoustic just a few weeks ago, I thought the title track would be a perfect song to end on. In the acoustic version of “Ocean Avenue,” Yellowcard is full of just as much energy as they were ten years ago. So here’s to one last bonfire, to new and old friends, to the memories we all made these last few months, and to sleeping all day, staying up all night.

If you want to check out the songs I’ve featured in The Playlist so far, I now have a Spotify playlist that I’ll be updating each week. You can check it out right here.