2016 has to be the year of dance. From the island influenced vibes of recent urban songs, to the infectious Justin Timberlake single “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” the hottest songs of the summer and whole year were made to dance to, leaving the melancholy ballads of yesteryear in the past. Hi or better yet “Hello” Adele. With that being said, the soundtrack of the summer is primetime, windows down music and poolside bangers.
First up is “One Dance,” by far the song of the summer. A Jamaican dancehall inspired cut from megastar and the lead single off of VIEWS, “One Dance” is noted for its international collaborators, Nigerian singer-rapper Wizkid and English singer Kyla. The song is the perfect lead for Drake’s planned international takeover. Aside from that, “One Dance” is prime sing-song self-absorbent Drake, serenading a companion for one more dance.
Next is the aforementioned “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” Timberlake returns to his dance influenced vibe, a completely 180 from his last hit, 2013’s introspective “Mirrors.” “Can’t Stop the Feeling”, originally single for the Disney movie “Trolls” is the prototypical summer pop song that lends the listener a helping hand to the dancefloor. Hopefully this means more Timbaland produced Timberlake songs are around the corner.
Drake returns to the soundtrack of the summer with “Controlla.” A more direct rendition of island dancehall, “Controlla” finds Drake again serenading a companion, this time more affirmatively. Albeit Drake can be a bit excessive in his crooning, “Controlla” is an exception, capturing a good balance between tempo and introspection.
“Cheap Thrills”, the recently chart-topping single from Sia ft. Sean Paul makes the list. The song is another island influenced song, although not so much an influence as a direct creation from none other than Jamaican artist Paul. Known for his summer dance anthems years back, “Cheap Thrils” marks a welcomed return for the 43 year old Paul and the always terrific Sia.
A soundtrack of the summer wouldn’t be complete without the addition of comeback kid and Snapchat afficiando, Dj Khaled. “I Got the Keys” ft. Jay-Z and Future, the intro and lead single for his successful summer album “Major Key” sees a reinvigorated Jay shoot down the speculation that has faced him over the past years and Future triumphantly yelling the hook as a victory lap for his recent success. Definitive club banger of the summer.
The summer has seen plenty of acts break out, including lesser known acts such as “Broccoli” by D.R.A.M. ft. Lil Yachty, “Money Longer” by Lil Uzi Vert, “Gwan Big Up Ureself” by Roy Woods and breakout star of 2016 Chance the Rapper’s “No Problem.”
Whether a fan of edm, pop, dancehall, or rap, summer sixteen produced a soundtrack made for fun.
