Our top 6 songs of the summer

With the sales at stores starting, students either moving back into their dorm rooms or starting their first day of high school, it can only mean one thing; the summer is officially coming to a close.

That being said, the music from this season gave us some great tunes to listen to on repeat for hours on end, to remind us from the great times this summer we had while listening to them. The contributors here at All Punked Up have put together our favorite songs that have come out, spanning from May to August.

In addition to our top choices, we also have a few honorable mentions that made our list. If there is a song on this list that you have not heard before, hopefully you give it a listen! If there is a song that we missed, that you really like, please let us know!

So without further ado and in no particular order…

1. “Rescue Me” — Marshmello ft A Day To Remember

This song made our list not only once, but TWICE. Suffice to say, it is a BANGER of a song. Here is what contributors Ashley and Natalie had to say.

“This summer was all about bringing together two different genres of music- pop punk and electronic dance music. One song I couldn’t get enough of is ‘Rescue Me’ by A Day To Remember and Marshmello. Artists Alex Gaskarth and Blink-182 also collaborated with popular EDM DJ’s Kayzo and Steve Aoki and I can’t get enough. The change in sound and style of music for these artists has changed pop punk and I am all for it. It definitely takes your ear some getting used to, especially if you only listen to pop punk, but I look forward to hearing more.

After going through a break-up, ‘Rescue Me’ was my anthem this summer. Jeremy McKinnon sings,

“’When I found you I found me Nothin’ around, far as I could see You were the current that carried me When I found you I found me Lost in the sands, only you can read My S.O.S., yeah, you rescued me Rescue me.’”

No, I didn’t find someone who rescued me, as the song states. I actually rescued myself and if it weren’t for this song I don’t think I would have had the strength to pull myself together. So thank you A Day to Remember and Marshmello for helping me find myself this summer.”- Ashley

“’Rescue Me’” is the collaboration between A Day to Remember and Marshmello. I can’t deny that when they first announced the collab I was a little skeptical. Having been a fan of both artists and knowing of drastically different their styles of music are, I wasn’t sure how this was going to play out. But after listening to it for the first time I was hooked. This song is the perfect blend of both artists with seamless transitions to highlight their different styles of music; not to mention the catchy melody that was stuck in my head for days. A collaboration that I didn’t think would work easily became my favorite song released this summer.

Honorable Mentions: Nightmare – Halsey Problems – Weathers” -Natalie

2. “Painkiller Weather” — Grayscale

Grayscale surfaced way back in 2011, and since then, have released a few EPs and two albums. Their third full length album, titled Nella Vita.

The Philly natives released “Painkiller Weather” in May, and here is why Tabitha believes this song is one of the best released from the summer.

“Being someone who has lost friends to drug use, ‘Painkiller Weather,’ is an honest and raw track. Grayscale have said to Rock Sound that the song is about “being hopelessly in love with someone who can’t put love in front of their vice. It’s about trying to understand how they think and feel what they feel.” The beauty of this track is being able to relate to it. Talking to people who hold significance in your life and understands the struggles that this song tackles lifts a burden, but there’s a rarity about a song written by perfect strangers. “Painkiller Weather” creates a realization that it’s not just you and your immediate circle that takes on the emotional damage. Drug use is a huge problem that reaches farther than imaginable, songs like “Painkiller Weather” shed light on that in a very upfront and blunt fashion.

Honorable mention ‘Underneath’ – Elbow Room”- Tabitha

3. “Impossible Game” — Oso Oso

Oso Oso is on the smaller side compared to the other groups on the list. They may not have the same following, but they sure do know how to make music you want to listen to all day long.

Jade Lilitri’s solo project just dropped it’s second full length album, titled basking in the glow. Here is what Noah has to say about the ninth track on the record, titled “impossible game”.

“I chose this song because it has a relaxing by the pool vibe with home hitting lyrics about messing up with a significant other. You can find yourself bobbing your head as you hear relatable lyrics about making your love life work.

Honorable mentions ‘Wounds’- Dying in Designer & ‘Heartbeat’- Have Mercy“- Noah

4. “Colors” — Paradise Fears

After taking a brief hiatus, Paradise Fears came back to the scene with a track that is relaxing, but also builds into a huge swell of energy that gets carried through the song. Here is what contributor Tori has to say about “Colors”.

“Paradise Fears officially dropped their first single in 3 years called ‘Color.’ ‘Color’ is referencing the overwhelming feeling when a person feels so much for another that all they can see is color. The lyrics take you through falling in love and then subsequently losing that love, but still craving that feeling. A standout lyric from the song is ‘now and then I still see your ghost, these are moments I miss you the most. Someone laughs and to me it sounds like color.’ That lyric pulls on the concept that even when you’re not with someone, you can hear or see something that reminds you of them and it puts you right back in the moment with them. The lyrics beautifully describe the overwhelming feeling of love with a upbeat tempo making it a song I highly recommend.“- Tori

5. “She’s A God” — Neck Deep

When I attended the Vans Warped Tour 25th Anniversary date in Atlantic City, Neck Deep played this song, and it had only come out two days prior. EVERYONE in the crowd was singing along. This one is definitely atop my personal list, and here is why Clayton thinks it should be atop yours as well.

“My song of the summer is ‘She’s A God’ by Neck Deep. A genuine banger that does nothing but celebrate women is exactly what the world needed this summer. It’s light, feel good, and playful. I’ve always been a fan of Neck Deep and I love how their sound has evolved into what it is today. I’m honestly looking forward to what else they have in store for us after “She’s A God” was released this past June.

Honorable Mentions: ‘This Is Me’- New Found Glory, ‘Heaven, We’re Already Here’- The Maine, ‘I Think I’m OKAY’- Machine Gun Kelly with YUNGBLOOD and Travis Barker.” – Clayton

6. “Happy Days” — blink-182

Is it really an APU list if blink isn’t mentioned at least once?

The kings of punk rock released a handful of songs this summer, and “Happy Days” is no exception to the list of awesome music they have created. Bree gives us the scoop on why this is one of her favorite tracks of the summer.

“blink-182 never disappoints when it comes to writing new songs. blink’s new album “nine” coming out September 20th is well anticipated. ‘Happy Days’ not only has a catchy tune, it has deep meanings behind the lyrics. It brings awareness that regardless of the darkness you may feel that there will always be happier days. As blink says in the song ‘Hey kid, don’t quit your daydream yet’ There are many reasons that I love blink, but one thing that will always be my favorite is they talk about real life issues and make fans know they are never alone.

Honorable mention: The Distance -Academy Killer”- Bree

There you have it, our favorite tracks from this summer! Be sure to continue to follow these artists if you like what you hear, because most of them have albums dropping soon, and you don’t want to miss out!

I would love to know what songs you think are the greatest that dropped in the summer of 2019, and, if we missed any bangers.

I would like to thank all of the members of the APU team that helped me to make this possible, so a HUGE shoutout to Ashley, Natalie, Tabitha, Tori, Noah, Clayton, and Bree. Go check out their work and give them some love, because they produce some great content for the site, day in and day out.