It’s been an awesome year with you guys, and I’ve loved writing about music for all of you. So, without further ado, allow me to present my goodbye gift. A mixtape geared for summer, cross-genre, upbeat and made to create some awesome memories. As always, I recommend listening to the songs in order. Nine tracks. Let’s do it.

“Raconte-Moi Une Histoire” – M83

We would be hundreds, thousands, millions … the biggest group of friends the world has ever seen … Jumping and laughing forever. It would be great, right?

“Dead End Thanks” – Horse Feathers

These guys are a local indie folk band, and they’re awesome! Here they use lots of woodwind and acoustic instruments to develop a harmonious ensemble.

“Solstice Intro” – Blue Scholars

Summer mornings. That’s all.

“Favorite Song [ft. Childish Gambino]” – Chance The Rapper

Two years later and we still bump it like it came out yesterday. Chance oozes summer.

“GOOD Friday” – GOOD Music

The production is a bittersweet rollercoaster that’s perfect for summer dusk.

“You” – The 1975

The instruments put to work on this song are unbeatable, especially with the way they all come together during the chorus.

“(Interlude 2)” – alt-J

Calming and intriguing due to the background noise, its simplicity is what makes it stand out.

“Hey Jude” – The Beatles

Self-explanatory.

“The Glory” – Kanye West

Kanye felt on top of the world when he recorded the album this track is off of. This epitomizes it.