Five on it: Hot Girl Summer has its official soundtrack

Hot Girl Summer artwork | Megan Thee Stallion

The phrase which has defined summer 2019 has finally got its accompanying anthem (as though Meg blessing us with Fever wasn’t enough).

Sure, I’m worried that 1) my knees are getting too creaky to get low, 2) that climate change and shitty world politics are the real things bringing heat this summer, but for now let’s soak up music and joy and forget about my 2019 anxiety: here is your (lukewarm girl summer) five on it.

Megan Thee Stallion – ‘Hot Girl Summer’ ft. Nicki Minaj, Ty Dolla $ign

With Juicy J on the bouncy, breezy beats, a trademark silky feature from Ty Dolla $ign, bars from Nicki and a City Girls sample, the track’s not as much of a hype anthem as we anticipated, but Hot Girl Meg still knows how to channel that feeling of sunshine, windows rolled down with the wind in your hair as you’re blasting a jam. We cannot wait for the video.

Manara International Presents… – The Ultimate Spice Mix

If a hot girl summer means having a good time and supporting each other (which I think it does), then it’s worth buying Manara’s latest release, full of Bollywood edits from some of dance music’s best (Bok Bok, Asmara, Ikonika), which features obscenely good artwork. Also the proceeds go to Restless Beings, an international human rights organisation supporting some of the world’s most marginalised communities through advocacy, activism and holistic charitable projects. [Listen / buy here]

Barney Artist – Bikes Are Bikes EP

Starting off with a necessary query over whether Boris Johnson actually knows what he’s doing, East London MC Barney Artist’s latest is full of warm licks of brass and piano and that distinctly sweet, candid way of storytelling, tackling the anxieties of love (both romantic and familial). [Listen to the EP]

Tamera – ‘Romeo’

The debut from this North West Londoner is delicate and smoky and has us intrigued to hear what she’s got lined-up. The production has a warm familiarity to it, like the fuzzy sound of an old record, while Tamera’s vocals are a soft caress.

Leo Kalyan – ‘Time Can Wait’

The queer brown British singer is bringing characteristically soaring and slinky vibes to his latest slowjam, through the polished veneer of 80s/90s pop and R&B. We’re here for it.

And a fun bonus, because the Manara tape isn’t on Spotify so can’t go on the playlist…

Preditah ft. Rachel Chinouriri – ‘Animals’

We are such Rachel Chinouriri fans, so very into this big collab with latter-day BBK member Preditah. A catchy bop that low-key channels UK funky, the beats are slick and Rachel’s vocals lithe and liquid.

You can follow the Five on it playlist on Spotify: