We stand on the precipice of summer. Time to start stocking the poolside playlist. Doesn’t really matter if your particular pool is Olympic or inflatable, if you get the music right. So here are 21 tunes to get you started.

Seems the Stranger Things cast can’t stop multi-tasking. The latest to offer up some serious single-age is Finn Wolfhard, who was also the first in a way if you count his earlier releases with bands Calpurnia and The Aubreys. So far I’m loving what I’m hearing from his upcoming LP Happy Birthday, though it was hard to choose between the currently available singles. “Choose the Latter” has a great jangle while “Objections” reminds me of The Shins given its tight, tidy propulsive-ness. Adelaide, Australia’s Mode hit the intensity pedal on stand-alone single “Strange Girl,” with guitar hooks aplenty and what sounds like a horn section supporting a dynamite poppy melody. Philadelphia’s Labrador ride in on a wave of organ before Pat King’s southern fried rock vocals come in to completely change up the vibe on “Dry Out in June.” Between these two elements and the manic lead guitar work this is a band with very unique sound. I know Andy Shauf from this poppy folk numbers but I didn’t realize he had a band too. Foxwarren return after eight years with their second LP simply entitled 2. “Listen2me” has got a great aura going. The instrumentation here has a painter’s eye for sonic colour. When Larry Rosembaum isn’t busy touting The Dreambots he’s got another vehicle you should check out: The Super True. “Eyesore” has a curious melodic arc that bends and comes back, enveloped by some fabulous Beatlesque guitar work. “Right Here” is no slouch either with nice jangle lead guitar and harmony vocals.

Jeff and his Army of No One melds an arresting mix of sounds on his latest song “I’m Coming Back Tonight.” Elements of California 1970s rock mix with breathy pop folk and crunchy electric guitars for a track that builds in intensity as it goes along. Lowmoon shift the mood decisively with a New Order-ish thrumming sensibility on “Find a Reason.” The lead guitar work carries the song, tripping along with a sparkly resonance.  The Needmores sound a bit punky off the start but when their single “Lookin’” gets going there are wonderful melodic details tucked in here and there. The chorus borders on Beatle-manic with its chorused vocals. Vienna waits for you on Oehl’s new album lieben wir (we love in German). Everything is lush and stately, perfectly framing the standout vocals. The instrumental choices all over this record really are exquisite with strings and horns and synths all deftly deployed. Particularly on the obvious single, “I Love You.” Get ready to float away with this dreamy number. Upping the jangle quotient California’s Now couldn’t sound any more 1980s English. “In Pathécolor” exhibits a captivating rough and ready C86 sound.

For such a quiet song Sally Spitz’s “Tag Your Sign” exudes something big. This is mostly acoustic guitar and vocals, tarted up with a bit of record scratching. But the overall effect sounds like a bona fide classic, reminding me of Terence Trent D’arby’s impact. Martin Luke Brown sounds a bit stripped down and spare, but listen closely for the delicately arranged sonic layers on “To Be a Man.” There’s something Bill Fox or Chris Staples about the evocative sensibilities here. It’s soothing, intriguing, and mysterious all at the same time. Then for pop grandeur we can turn to Grant Lindberg on his recent single “Threes.” There’s a perfect blend of mellotron-like keyboards and crunchy, searing guitars. Meditative with a touch of dissonance as things develop. Clashing guitar chords launch Autocamper’s new song “Again” with a Lou Reed-ish vocal. It’s a winning combination, nuff said. Former Cheepskates member Tony Low has his own album to do. Well, an EP actually. From Really Real I like the opening track “Big Warm,” a sort of rocking singer-songwriter number that conjures a very 1970s feel.

Somehow I missed a new Andy Partridge release in 2024. Working with Chris Braide as a duo they released the Queen of the Planet Wow! EP. Most of the material is pretty pop loungey with Braide up front vocally for nearly all the tunes. But opening cut “I Like ‘Be’ With You” bears the clearly recognizable imprint of Mr. Partridge, his characteristic melodic turns and vocal inflections fully on display. “April in New York” also has a few strong Partridge moments, but only sporadically. Damn, I miss that era of regular XTC releases. NYC’s WYLDLIFE may also conjure memories of bands gone by. On “Fast Dreams” I hear both Springsteen and Tom Petty buzzed up on some kind of speed and the effect is pretty pleasing. West of the Mersey River, West Kirby’s West Coast Music Club have been putting out EPs every few months or so like clockwork this past year. Just to give you taste of what they’ve got going, check out “Summer Loving” from April’s Need You Beside Me EP. The looping lead guitar hook lulls you with hypnotic effect before the hooky melody grabs you in the chorus. Crossword Smiles have a new album Consequences and Detours and its full of their usual mellow poppy delights. Dip in anywhere and get a hint of the 1980s, a bit of Haircut 100 on “Girls Club” or Crowded House on “Counting by Fives.” But I’m gonna cut to the chase here and feature the should-be hit single: “Navigator Heart.” The opening guitars have a new wave crispness but what follows just won’t stop offering up delightful melodic turns and twists, particularly in the chorus. Instant replay mode here. Keelan Donovan’s “The Influence” has a spooky demeanor, a deeply personal song working the singer-songwriter seam pretty hard, with a touch a gospel emerging from time to time. Very moving.

Last up, the laconic, low-key recent track from Wallows cheekily entitled “Your New Favorite Song.” There’s so much going on in this mellow tune, the instrumentation carefully staged like a musical diorama. There’s folky acoustic guitar, a horn section, single piano notes, flute, and much more, not to mention an intimate, seductively quiet vocal. You want more? There’s an EP called … More.

Music for the pool, check. Now we just need sunshine. Gather your choice tunes from the above list by clicking through the hyperlinks.

Photo courtesy Thomas Hawk Flikr collection.