The Handbook Team Shares The Songs Soundtracking Their Summer

One thing I can confirm to be true of The Handbook office is that we are a team with impeccable music taste. A taste that is simply too good to gatekeep. From tracks to blast in the car with your friends to chill tunes that perfectly accompany your evening walks, we have you covered. Scroll to discover your soundtrack of the summer.
PLUS: click the link at the bottom of the article to download the full Spotify playlist.
Coastal nostalgia
“I feel like every summer, especially having grown up in coastal America, I always try to listen to music that feels like driving down the coastline with all the windows down in a wet bathing suit with wet hair. I hope that paints the right picture. These songs feel like when you’re cranking music in the car, and one hand is doing the wave thing along the wind as you drive. I am searching for that vibe in EVERY song right now.” – Mallory, Junior Food & Drink Editor.
- Late to the Fire – Sam Burchfield
- The Keys – Matt Duncan
- Seabird – Alessi Brothers
- A Lingering Love – Fruit Bats
- All The Debts I Owe – Caamp
- Tuesday’s Gone – Lynyrd Skynyrd


70s throwbacks and new releases
“The minute I feel the temperature start to warm up each year, Fleetwood Mac immediately slips into my heavy rotation. Nothing screams summer quite like having tracks like Gold Dust Woman and Gypsy playing on full blast. But this year, I am also embracing the new, with Suki Waterhouse’s Loveland and Role Model’s Chuck Timely & The Hourglass both being on repeat.” – Amelia, Culture and Lifestyle Writer & Creator.
- Gypsy – Fleetwood Mac
- Gold Dust Woman – Fleetwood Mac
- Morals – Suki Waterhouse
- Back In Love – Suki Waterhouse
- Joy – Role Model
Mood-boosting chill
“The songs I’m playing on repeat right now are mood-boosting yet chill, offering the perfect soundtrack for mid-afternoon park walks, long flights, or holiday boat days.” – Natasha, Digital Editor.
- I’m in Love – Jelani Aryeh
- American Money – Børns
- Following The Sun – Super-Hi, Neeka
- Eau de Toilette – Beatenberg
- Hey Gringo – Kaleo


Festival feels
“My constant rotation for the summer is judged on if I want to hear it at a music festival or if it makes me romanticise my life on a Lime Bike. I love songs that get me excited for a long day in the park or an evening out. These are the tracks that keep me energised on any occasion from slow mornings to late summer nights.” – Caitlin, Senior Campaign Success Manager.
- Dance With Me 2nite – Nia Archives
- Freazy – Wolf Alice
- Whatever You Wanna – Annabelle Dinda
- Oh Yeah – Steve Lacy
- E.V.P. – Blood Orange
- Lights Out – Santigold
American road trip energy
“I have had these two songs on repeat, with both becoming the soundtrack to my summer. Being on a US road trip may have something to do with their appeal, but I’m simply just a huge fan of country, especially this fresh new vibe.” – Ashling, Contributing Style & Interiors Editor.
- Choosin’ Texas – Ella Langley
- Boston – Stella Lefty


Atmospheric House
“Rüfüs du Sol has been my summer soundtrack the past two years. It provides the perfect, atmospheric house backdrop to a late afternoon bbq or drive out of town.” – Robyn, Managing Director.
- No Place – Rüfüs du Sol
- Movin’ To The Sun – Hugel
- InnerBloom – Rüfüs du Sol