The Best Songs of the Summer (According to GQ's Editors)
It's time to face facts: summer is nearly over, and a clear winner for Song of the Summer has emerged in Lil Nas X's history-making "Old Town Road." But GQ editors have assembled our own list of the best songs of the summer, stuff we've been listening to in the hot, sticky NYC humidity that makes living in this concrete hellscape just a little bit more manageable.
Sam Smith, "How Do You Sleep"
This is the Sam Smith I have been holding out hope for all these years, the beat-riding, cheeky British superstar at the peak of his sad boy dance pop glory. He's done it before in bits and pieces—Disclosure's "Latch," one of the most perfect songs to ever exists; Calvin Harris's "Promises" comes close, too—but "How Do You Sleep" is the closest he's come to answering fate's call in a while. The video is just as entrancing as the Max Martin and Co.-crafted song (produced by Max disciple Ilya Salmanzadeh), elevating its twinkling keys and wailing vocals to gayer heights. A serve, all around.—Brennan Carley, associate editor
Solange, "Binz"
"Binz" is so catchy that its hi-hat cymbal and sing-song lyrics will draw toe-taps and head-bobs out of you at any time, in any place, no matter how dance-averse you may think you are. Solange herself exemplifies this fact in the Facetime-esque music video where we see her dancing, mostly by herself, in mostly undergarments, with hella blunts in all manner of hotel rooms, bedrooms, dressing rooms, and the like. It is a beautiful relief from the also-beautiful, but highly produced Netflix and Apple Music visuals we have typically been blessed with from the Knowles sisters.—Ben Pardee, lead web producer
Red Hearse, "Half Love"
A legendary pop writer, the silkiest voice in hip-hop, and Kendrick Lamar’s go-to producer walk into a bar. The punchline? Red Hearse, a three-way marriage of Jack Antonoff, Top Dawg Entertainment producer Sounwave, and singer-songwriter Sam Dew. But Red Hearse is no joke, and the three singles released ahead of their impending project constitute a set of gorgeous hip-hop-pop hybrids with seriously smooth vocals and infectiously synth-y beats. The latest (and best) is “Half Love,” sung almost entirely in falsetto by Dew and released with a video starring St. Vincent in all her glam, other-worldly glory. When they performed the track last week sporting two of 2019’s hottest looks—boilersuits and bucket hats—it became clear: Red Hearse knows what’s up. You heard it here first.—Danielle Cohen, editorial assistant
Rosalía & J Balvin feat. El Guincho, "Con Altura"
Rosalía is transcendent—truly anything and everything she touches turns to gold. In the case of "Con Altura," she blesses us with an unbelievably fun and flexible summer smash. It’s the kind of song you can play in the club, in your kitchen, at a party, or (preferably) a Jeep Wrangler sans doors and roof en route to the beach. I have yet to find a single person who cannot enjoy this track. To quote a good friend who had never heard this before I sent it to them last week, “Wow this song is a fucking roller lol.” A true roller it is indeed.—Gabe Conte, digital producer
Gucci Mane feat. Jeremih, "Hands Off"
The ever-prolific Guwop's fourteenth studio album, Delusions of Grandeur, arrived in June—and it is very good. Among these gems, "Hands Off" strikes the perfect balance between Jeremih's crooning and Gucci's signature gravely flow.—B.P.
Jonas Brothers, "Sucker"
"Sucker" came out in March, but climate change has nullified seasons, so this can still qualify in my opinion. It is the mature welcome back banger all JoBroHoes needed, now providing the soundtrack to pre-games instead of study sessions. Ten years later, if you aren't burnin’ up for the Jonas boys, you are... wrong.—Ashlee Bobb, communications manager
GoldLink feat. WaveIQ, "Spanish Song"
A true song of the summer can't just evoke casual head nodding—it also needs to trigger some ass shaking. It must draw you to the dance floor, or at least encourage you to transform your surroundings into a makeshift dance floor. "Spanish Song" thumps, it snaps, and it will compel you to move. Add it to your rooftop party playlist and let GoldLink do the rest.—Alex Shultz, editorial assistant
Daphni feat. Paradise, "Sizzling"
Dan Snaith (or Daphni, or Caribou, as you like it) scientifically engineered this beat for your summer dancing pleasure. Get moving.—Colin Groundwater, assistant to the editor in chief
Young Nudy feat. 21 Savage, "Mister"
Young Nudy has been operating in the immediate periphery of the Atlanta rap heavyweights for awhile, which has has primed him perfectly to immediately become the next big rapper coming out of there. "Mister" comes from the collaborative album between him and producer Pi’erre Bourne, Sli’merre. The dichotomy of Nudy’s nonchalant delivery over Pi’erre’s whimsical flutes truly makes this song sound like nothing else. Add 21 Savage’s terrifying deadpan rapping to the track, and you get this incredible mix of styles that adds up to a track that you can’t help but vibe to.—G.C.
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