It's officially summer – but with none of us able to go abroad on holidays (not yet, at least) and bring home a cheesy foreign language song like 'The Ketchup Song' in our mental luggage, what are the songs that will remind us of summer 2021?
Below, we've chosen five tracks that you can expect to hear a lot of over the next couple of months.
Add these tracks to your garden party playlist and you're guaranteed to keep your guests happy.
Galantis x David Guetta x Little Mix – 'Heartbreak Anthem'
This track by Swedish electronica duo Galantis featuring French superstar DJ Guetta and girl group Little Mix is already making huge strides in the singles charts – and you can expect it to keep growing over the coming weeks. A big, bolshy upbeat number with a summery, memorable chorus – it's tailor-made for lazy sunny afternoons.
*
Olivia Rodrigo – 'Good 4 U'
She's undoubtedly been the breakout star of 2021's pop scene, but with her debut album 'Sour', Olivia Rodrigo proved that she's far from a one-hit-wonder. Hot on the heels of singles 'Drivers Licence' and 'Deja Vu', this attitude-driven pop-rock number by the 18-year-old is a fizzy, lighhearted little number. We may forget all about it come December, but for now, it plugs a gap in the 'summer anthem' category nicely.
*
BTS – 'Butter'
Whether you 'get' them or not, there's no denying that BTS are now the biggest boyband on the planet. The K-pop troupe scored their first bona fide global hit last year with 'Dynamite', and 'Butter' is a similar r&b-flavoured pop number with super-smooth, finger-clicking production and a big soaring dance-pop melody. Damn, it's catchy.
*
Doja Cat & SZA – 'Kiss Me More'
Doja Cat has already proved her worth as a maker of uber-catchy hip-hop tunes with the likes of 'Say So' and 'Boss Bitch'. Prepare to hear a lot of this tune, which sees her team up with the brilliant SZA. It's a laidback, easygoing earworm of a tune that gets better with every listen and is steadily gaining ground on the above-mentioned Rodrigo on the Irish singles chart.
*
The Weeknd x Ariana Grande - 'Save Your Tears (Remix)'
This track was first released almost a year ago, as one of the singles from The Weeknd's huge 'After Hours' album. However, it's been given a new lease of life thanks to a remix that features none other than Ariana Grande. It was released in April but has been gaining momentum since then, and will undoubtedly be played to death across the summer. Is it better than the original? That's for you to decide...
