Summer Albums To Look Out For: Imaginary Boyfriends Edition

We’ve all done it. You go to a concert and about halfway through the second verse, you find yourself imagining the layout of the loft in Venice you and the drummer will live in once you fall in love. I mean, it’ll be difficult with all of the other screaming fans that surround him all the time, but you guys will make it work because there’s such a strong mutual trust.

And now that you’ve decided on the names of your children (Beaux and Callaway), you’re forever bonded to this band and every lyric reminds you of that one time you saw them at the El Rey.

So maybe the scenario doesn’t play out exactly how you expected… but the music is still great! Here’s a list of some albums coming out this summer (or that recently came out) that are perfect for blasting in the car, listening to by the pool and most importantly, swooning.

Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City (May 14th)

Modern Vampires of the City is definitely already one of my favorite albums out for the summer. The upbeat rhythms and catchy hooks just straight up make you feel good. Ezra Koenig, Rosta Batmanglij, Chris Tomson and Chris Baio formed the band after meeting at Columbia. Yeah, THAT Columbia. My boy Ezra was a middle school English teacher after he graduated. I’m sorry, what? Could you imagine walking into eight grade English and THAT was your teacher? If any of those kids are reading, can you please explain to me how you got through that year without your hormones just giving up? They’re smart, adorable and can title a song like nobody’s business (see “Obvious Bicycle”).

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (July 23rd)

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are coming out with their self-titled third album in July and I am SO EXCITED. The band consists of ten people so every song is an instrument party that somehow always sounds cohesive and thought out, but in the most fun way possible. Alex Ebert, the lead vocalist and lead hunk, is just about the most adorable crooning hippie who you can tell would be just as happy singing songs in a pile of mud than in a huge arena. Take this one on your next camping trip, and the album, too, if you want.

The Lonely Island – The Wack Album (June 11th)

There’s just so much I love about these three. Their songs are, first and foremost, HILARIOUS. Plus, they’re actually good songs that are fun to listen to. The guys in the band – Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone – are so utterly and adorably lovable. They remind me of those guys in high school that you’re friends with and then realize about halfway through junior year that they’re actually hot. This album is definitely going to be one to listen to over and over again until you can casually quote songs in everyday conversation. And more importantly, get ready to post some insane viral music videos on your friends’ walls.

Backstreet Boys – In a World Like This (July 30th)

Guys, this is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. All of my elementary school hopes and dreams are coming true with the new Backstreet Boys album, coming out July 30th. I was the kid with the posters in her room, the t-shirt, the pillow cases… AND NOW THEY’RE BACK! BACKSTREET’S BACK, ALRIGHT! I really don’t know what to expect from this album musically, but I know what to expect emotionally, and I’m reeeally okay with it. And now that I am of age, Nick and I can finally get that loft in Venice!