As the world cautiously reopens, we look for music to provide the soundtrack to our re-emergence. The question is: What will our song be?
For the past year, as concert venues have shuttered across the globe, creatives and musicians alike have discovered new and creative ways to share their art with the world.
From digital album releases to virtual zoom concerts, music has proven that it will always find a way through. And, as society approaches a huge re-emergence into a (somewhat) normal life, music is once again ready to provide a new soundtrack for a new year.
But, what will the sounds of summer 2021 be? Let’s take a look at what recent releases and emerging trends are trying to tell us. And, how we can join our voices together to sing this new chapter in our shared musical history.
The Industry Gears up for Summer 2021
Like many industries that have had to shutter and adapt, the music industry has continued to stay hard at work preparing for a time when concert venues can open once again. We’ve begun to see a steady stream of releases signifying that a large buildup is about to hit radio airwaves and digital streams soon.
Summer 2021 is already off to a fast start with some major releases from pop superstars like Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift, as well as some country and rap albums from artists like Morgan Wallen and Rod Wave. The early sounds are a mix of thoughtful storytelling, minimalist arrangements, and nostalgic revisions.
However, as the summer begins to heat up, the charts are starting to be topped by the dance, R&B, and upbeat groove hits you might typically expect as people are gearing up for beach trips, pool parties, and nightclub life once again.
What Will Be the Popular Music Hits?
While rumors will continue to swirl around which major artists have been using their downtime to record a new masterpiece or finally drop a long-anticipated followup. Brands and advertisers alike will want to move fast to shape the musical conversation focusing on things getting back to normal.
We’re likely to see reflective, but familiar, new releases from big names like Drake (Certified Lover Boy), Billie Eilish (Happier Than Ever), Lana Del Rey (Blue Banisters), Travis Scott (Utopia), and Sufjan Stevens (Convocations). But, expect the sounds of summer 2021 to emerge from up-and-coming indie artists and those looking to provide the rhythms behind the inevitable block parties and long-overdue meetups.
What Kind of Music Will You Hear?
Ultimately, the sounds of summer 2021 will be full of relief, remembrance, and love—a reflection of all the inertia and energy that’s been stored up over a long winter, waiting to be safely released again. They’ll be heartfelt and slow at first, with reflective folk and upbeat lo-fi leading the way, before sliding smoothly into celebratory funk, groove, and EDM.
Some of our top genres and picks to help paint the picture include: Afrofuturism, Percussion in Action, Sensual Vibes, Keys of Hope, and Upbeat Indie.
As summer kicks off, these songs, loops, and soundtracks will continue to tell a story reflective of the trials and tribulations of the past year, yet hopeful for a brighter future in its wake.
If you’d like to read up on more trends for 2021, as well as browse additional musical curations and collections, check out these articles:
- Oscar Pop! 2021’s Best Picture Nominees as Original Pop Art Posters
- What Fashion Will Look Like Post-Pandemic
- How Music Helped to Motivate This DIY Coronavirus Documentary
- Explore the Adventurous Beats of Evan MacDonald’s Cinematic Music
- What We Can Learn from Music Videos Released During Quarantine
Cover image via Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock.