The Real Songs of the Summer

Rodrigo delivers a giant pop chorus with enough guitar bite and vocal irritation to keep the scale from becoming bland.

Aya Nakamura's loose phrasing and flirtatious hook fit actual summer heat, sounding equally comfortable from a car window or a crowded terrace.

Karol G, Judeline and rusowsky bring three distinct voices to one humid, understated beat without crowding each other out.

Victony's soft vocal and fluid Afropop rhythm give the track the light movement of sunlight on water without making it disappear into background music.

Adela's sharp delivery and compact production make this pop record feel impatient in the right way, reaching the chorus before the idea wears out.

The hook arrives like a drink thrown across the room, giving Chxrry's confrontational pop song an immediate scene and a clear personality.

Trim's light-footed flow and odd production make this an actual hot-weather rap song rather than another single released during summer.

Ella Langley's direct melody and conversational Texas fantasy made this country-radio singalong unavoidable well beyond its original audience.

Shakira and Burna Boy built the World Cup song around an easy percussive hook that continued following listeners long after the matches ended.

Charli xcx turns financial embarrassment into a club record, using a blunt joke and hard beat instead of pretending the humiliation is glamorous.