LETS DO A SUMMER MIXTAPE with [RAC, Adventure Club, Goldroom, Viceroy, DWNTWN, Ghost Beach, Cry Wolf and Lights & Music]
When I first started the blog feature on Lights & Music last month, this mixtape was the first idea that I put into action.  Wikipedia, in-short describes mixtapes as usually reflecting the musical tastes of its compiler, a conceptual mix of songs linked by a theme or mood tailored to the tape’s intended recipient.  Yeah sure, we’ve all made mixtapes before.  But, what happens when you get a bunch of artists and bloggers to make a mixtape with the intended recipient being you?  Thats what I wanted to find out.  The concept is simple, yet I hadn’t really seen it anywhere else.
Everyone was given two selections. Â They could either choose two tracks defining their summer so far in 2012 or one new and one all-time summer favorite. Â Sounds simple enough in theory, but narrowing down your favorite jams to fit that criteria was tough. Â That said, this was a fun project and I intend on making this a annual event.
Without further ado, please enjoy and share with others.
For more jams or by any of these artists use the ‘tags’ links at the bottom of the post!  Follow @JoelAlbers on Twitter for updates on remixes, dubstep and all things Nurdy.
Lights & Music
Johnny Neon – Hearts
Its happy, bouncy, innocent and colorful.  When I think of what a summer song should sound like, this is the song that comes to mind.
Marvin Gaye vs Pryda – Too Busy Thinking About Leja
I personally debated including a mashup for all of about ten seconds.  To me, this song defines what summer has always been about…  Its about love, heartbreaks and being young.  Summer allows us to overlook the complexities of life.  Forget that it won’t last… live in the moment.
The Burning Ear
La Femme – Sur La Plache
Grab your towels and baguettes cause this beach party jam is hot enough to curl a moustache. The prefect song for scouring the waterfront lot for a parking spot and then cursing at people in French.
Icona Pop – Nights Like This
Icona Pop’s latest single “I Love It” may be the song of the summer but this jam of theirs from last year is built for a summer mix. It’s an ice cream sunday of singalong verses, 8-bit grooves, and crunchy synths.
RAC
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – Man On Fire
Alex knows how to write songs. The kind of songs that transcend genres. It’s what I want to hear when it’s sunny.
All-time fav:
Aside from the song sounding summery, Paul Simon has been a huge part of my musical upbringing, whether I realized it or not. I guess it sort of just takes me back to good places.
Adventure Club
Passion Pit – Take A Walk (The M Machine Remix)
A choooooon for day driving.
Minnesota – Stardust
A chooooon for night driving.
VICEROY
Bag Raiders – Sunlight (G.L.O.V.E.S Remix)
I’m sure not everyone is familiar with my friend GLOVES’ remix of Bag Raider’s “Sunlight”, but to me it really captures what a great summer dance floor track is all about. It has a nice Fred Falke style bassline, warm synths, works well with the lyrics, and has a driving beat to it. Can’t really beat that no can you?
Lonsdale Boys Club – Light Me Up (Louis La Roche Remix)
This is one of those remixes that kill the original mix. It’s so damn funky and makes me want pop bottles and chill with models. On the beach of course.
CRY WOLF
Mix of beautiful vocals, awesome lyrics and trap swag has had me singing this constantly for the past two weeks.
Listening to this track while driving down backroads on my motorcycle and dancing like a fool is a summer tradition.
DWNTWN
Twin Shadow – Five Seconds
I really don’t know what this song has to do with summer, except that it’s summer, and I like this song, but you should definitely check it out.
Chief Keef – I Don’t Like [Dirty]
Drive around one night listening to this with the windows down, and yelling the lyrics at people on the street. We promise it will make for a fun summer night.
Goldroom
A true summer jam is all about how well it plays in a car, driving slow, with the windows down. The Pharcyde knew all about that, and Runnin’ is the ultimate 15mph jam. This song has defined my years in LA and is one of my all-time favorite summer jams.
Wildcat! Wildcat! – The Chief
One of my favorite songs in recent memory was just recently released by one of my favorite labels, Neon Gold. This is just a really delicious piece of pop songwriting, and is just taken over the top by a tremendous sax solo. Who can deny that?
Ghost Beach
I went with two french artists. I didn’t realize i was doing that, but its probably no coincidence that one of my most memorable summers was spent traveling around france and surfing in biarritz.
Phoenix – Second To None
I downloaded the phoenix album “its never been like that” for the plane. I put this on my iPod while on a stop over in amsterdam and walked around the streets on the summer solstice. That was a trip…..
Alan Braxe & Fred Falke – Most Wanted (L’Étranger Rework)
I wanted to put a current feel good track for cocktail hr and i always enjoy a little fred falke.
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ZIP FILE >> Lets Do a Summer Mixtape 2012Â
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