[Invisible Children Music: We firmly believe that music has a necessary role in giving social movements tremendous amounts of momentum. It is a universal language, and at Invisible Children, it’s important for us to be a part of that language.]

[Photo from Flickr user The Gentleman Amateur.  Seriously unreal Polaroids from around the world.]

Happy Monday, universe.  Let me say – summer is in full swing in New York City – the heat, the smells, the vibez.  Consider this your “Summer in the City” playlist.  Fifty percent chillage/fifty percent serious jams – one hundred percent scattered.  These are the songs blaring from my apartment & headphones.

As always, click on the fun blue links to check out how you can support the artists featured.  Download their songs, pre-order their deluxe edition vinyls with hand-written lyric booklets and drawings, go to their gigs – just ensure they can continue to output the goods.

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01. 1,2,3 // “Scared But Not Scared” – Saw these gentleman open for Alex Winston a while ago, and I can’t stop playing their new single – it’s just dreamy.  I have constant swag envy of the frontman.

02. EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS // “That’s What’s Up” – So stoked on their new album.  Jade takes lead vocals on this stand-out track.  When the chorus opens up, it’s bliss.

03. GOSSIP // “Move In The Right Direction” – Every summer needs its female-voiced “I’m just fine, thank you” anthem.  This is a strong contender from Beth Ditto and her band.

04. BLOOD ORANGE // “Forget It” – British musician Dev Hynes doesn’t stop.  Writing for Diana Vickers, Solange, The Chemical Brothers, Florence Welch & more, Dev has also found time to release comic books, poetry, and three solo records.  Zombie status.  Blood Orange is his current project, and “Forget It” is a sly jam.

05. CATCALL // “The World Is Ours” – Everyone loves a good cheering section – especially when it’s part of a corking tune from an Australian female singer.

06. SAM SPARRO // “Happiness” – You might remember Sam from a few years ago with his song “Black & Gold.”  It was the song to cover back then.  He is incapable of crafting songs that don’t make you auto-dance.

07. THE VACCINES // “If You Wanna” – This is certainly not a new track, but it just flatly declares the summer sound.  The album this takes from, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines, is perfection.  Serious recommendation on this one.

08. SAREENA DOMINGUEZ // “Fourteen” – SO pumped to be able to share this one.  Sareena is a big IC supporter who I met on tour as a Roadie in Arizona.  Signed to a label in Chandler, Sareena is prepping to release her debut album.  Nothing says summer like nostalgia + guitars.  Her lilting vocals are swoonworthy.  Show her the love – she’s definitely shown it to us.

09. CHARLIE SIMPSON // “All At Once” – From cheesy boyband Busted to respected folk musician, Charlie Simpson has done quite the 180.

10. REBECCA FERGUSON // “Nothing’s Real But Love” – Undeniably trite title//equally undeniably beautifully breezy vocals from this artist from Liverpool.  The US version of her album drops tomorrow – give it a listen.

Listen to the tracks and let me know what you’re liking and want to hear more of.  Check out what all Invisible Children: NYC will be getting up to this summer on our new blog.

Have a swell week, friends.  Until next time.

– ANH