Our favorite 2022 song of summer contenders, from Bad Bunny and Harry Styles to Lizzo

Whether you want to deem it “feral girl summer,” “hot girl summer” or “stressed girl summer,” it’s going to be another sticky season of earworms.

The culture gods decided long ago that certain songs would be linked with the months complemented by beach trips and sunshine – never mind that fall tends to offer an equal number of heady releases.

But from Donna Summer’s “Bad Girls” (1979) to TLC’s “Waterfalls” (1995), Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” (2008) to Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello’s “Señorita” (2019), songs popularized during the summer months are branded for life.

“These songs capture a specific moment,” says Spotify trend expert and podcast host Lea Palmieri. “You remember when you were driving with the roof down or listened to something at a block party. It takes you back instantly.”

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This year’s Spotify Songs of Summer playlist predictions tap into country (Zach Bryan’s “Something in the Orange”), Latin pop (Karol G’s “Provenza”) and hip-hop (Future’s “Wait for U”). The diversity is just a natural extension of listeners’ curiosity, says Palmieri, noting that Bad Bunny has been the most-streamed artist on Spotify the past two years.

“People are absolutely more open to discovering these artists," she says. "The same with K-pop. You might not know the lyrics, but the songs are so infectious that they draw you in."

Some of USA TODAY's song of the summer contenders overlap with Spotify’s predictions, which are based on factors including streaming numbers and song trajectories.

We’re much less scientific and offer these eight nominees – in no particular order – based on the factor that we really like them.

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Harry Styles, ‘As It Was’

A song of summer doesn’t always have to be a light and fluffy “MMMBop” or “Call Me Maybe” (see: Tears for Fears’ ‘80s monster “Shout” or Brandy and Monica duking it out in the ‘90s with “The Boy Is Mine”). As such, Styles’ gorgeous lament of a chorus (“In this world, it’s just us / You know it’s not the same as it was”) is hardly a carefree sentiment. Nor are the rest of the song’s lyrics that probe his lonely soul. But paired with the chiming synths that owe more than a nod to a-ha’s “Take on Me,” the essence of “As It Was” already feels timeless.

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Lizzo, ‘About Damn Time’

Who needs more cowbell when we can have more flute? Cruising on a funky backbeat, Lizzo preaches her trademark message of empowerment while urging her flock onto the dance floor (“Turn up the music, let’s celebrate / I’ve got a feeling, I’m gonna be OK”). A celebration of self, the song practically levitates (thanks, Dua Lipa) when Lizzo’s flute solo kicks in.

Måneskin, ‘Supermodel’

Perhaps the first musicians since Celine Dion to turn a Eurovision victory into worldwide success, the Italian rockers with the Danish name are basking in aligned stars with their mushrooming hit. Adroitly blending snarky lyrics and a sassy guitar riff, the quartet – led by the infinitely captivating Damiano David – defines emergent stardom.

Latto, ‘Big Energy’

Extracting the blippy keyboard riff from Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love,” the Atlanta-bred rapper offers an enticing brew of girl power and effortless cool as she saunters through with her own big energy. Released last fall, the song has slow burned its way into the season suited to its breezy vibe.

Train, ‘AM Gold’

The title track from the new album by the reliable hitmakers is an unabashed love letter to ‘70s soft rock. Between the disco beat fluttering from the high hat and the dusting of strings powering the brisk melody, it’s incredibly easy to get lost in the song’s lushness. Kudos to the band for these three minutes of throwback bliss.

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Bad Bunny, ‘Ojitas Lindos’

A true collaboration with Colombian band Bomba Estéreo, the reggaeton song (“Pretty Eyes” in English) sneaks up with its loping beat and echoing percussion. In case you needed more persuasion about its placement on the summer charts, crashing waves and chirping birds flit in the background, injecting irresistible ambiance.

Calvin Harris with Dua Lipa and Young Thug, ‘Potion’

Veteran DJ/producer Harris is the adhesive on this slinky dance floor confection. Countering Dua Lipa’s breathy declarations as she sashays though the mix ("Late night conversations, electric emotions / Sprinkled with a little bit of sex, and that's a potion”) is Young Thug, who provides a credible disco-cabaret persona with his velvety rap.

Panic! At the Disco, ‘Viva Las Vengeance’

Perky piano, harmonies straight out of “Jersey Boys” and Brendon Urie’s full-throated power vocals mark the band's first new music since 2018. The title track from their seventh album – coming Aug. 19 – is also spackled with Panic!’s patented cinematic flourishes and quirky time changes as Urie sings veiled comments about Las Vegas, where he spent his formative years (“In a city full of promises, nothing rings true”).

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Songs of summer 2022 predictions: Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, Lizzo, more