origami angel
[Photo by Bob Sweeney]

10 perfect summer emo songs, picked by Origami Angel

Alternative Press teamed up with Origami Angel for an exclusive clear with green galaxy vinyl variant of The Brightest Days, limited to 300 copies. Head to the AP Shop to snag yours.

Gami Gang season is here once again. With their brand-new mixtape, The Brightest Days (which is out today via Counter Intuitive Records), the Washington, D.C. emo outfit are chronicling a perfectly shitty summer on the East Coast. Across eight tracks, the duo of vocalist/guitarist Ryland Heagy and drummer Pat Doherty push themselves to their limits, channeling bossa nova, ska, power pop, and more.

Read more: Every Weezer album ranked: From worst to best

Naturally, that led us to wonder what their ideal summer emo songs are. To celebrate the mixtape’s release, Origami Angel picked a handful of tracks to soundtrack a sweaty, sun-bleached day.

oso oso – “intro”

oso oso’s basking in the glow is the perfect summer album, and, in turn, this is a perfect intro. Every time I heard this track, I remember the first time I listened to the album, the midnight it dropped. I put in my headphones and took a walk outside, and Jade’s delicate acoustic guitars and vocals on this one always make me feel like I’m back taking that walk for the first time again. And what a beautiful lyric: “Something’s a little off, no, nothing’s ever right/I’ve got two souls fighting for the same spotlight.”

Sheryl Crow – “Soak Up The Sun” 

Isn’t this the goal each summer? This one makes me feel like a kid again. I feel like whatever radio station my mom had on in the car when I was 8 played this in heavy rotation. Everything from the drum intro to the tongue-in-cheek lyrics and the iconic hook just exudes positivity, and it always makes me feel sunny!

Weezer – “California Kids”

“California Kids” isn’t just the opener of my favorite Weezer record by far — it’s also a huge inspiration for The Brightest Days as a whole. The whole “White Album” is an ode to summer anthems, and this song embodies that to the fullest extent. I love all the ad-libs in the background that add to the carefree feel of the song. It almost makes it familiar and relaxing to listen to, even if it’s your first time.

Beach Bunny – “Promises”

Beach Bunny is no stranger to hooks, and every part of this song feels like its own hook. I put this one on here because my younger cousin actually loves this song, and one time on a family vacation, she pulled out an acoustic guitar and sang it for me and a few relatives. I was blown away by how great she sounded, and it’ll always be a staple vacation memory for me.

Hootie & The Blowfish – “Only Wanna Be With You”

The intro of this song makes me feel like I’m in a coming-of-age movie. There’s no way to describe it other than nostalgic and wholesome. Also “I’m such a baby ’cause the Dolphins make me cry” is so relatable, except in my case it’s the Sixers making me cry, which feels like it’s becoming a summer tradition!

10cc – “I’m Not In Love”

The way “I’m Not In Love” vocally swells into the keys and drum riff will always bring me back to summers as a kid. This was a staple on my parents’ playlist for any vacation or family/neighborhood get-together in the summer. It’s so laid back and perfect for a summer night.

Magazine Beach – “Summer Hits”

Who doesn’t love a little twinkly emo in the summer? This feels like the summer after my senior year of high school, even though this song just came out a few months ago! Magazine Beach is one of my favorite bands in the D.C. area currently, and this song is a great example of why. Layered and catchy hooks bouncing between twinkly and dancing emo riffs at different tempos. It’s just instant energy!

Free The Birds – “Ándale”

“Ándale” is a super laid-back number from one of my favorite projects around. I love how the electronic drums and Rhodes piano play off one another, and the vocal delay chorus is so groovy.

Daphne Loves Derby – “Hammers and Hearts”

This song has all the emo, romantic feelings I can only assume summer of 2005 must’ve felt like. I was too preoccupied being 7 back then, but our sound person and producer of The Brightest Days, Drew [Portalatin], showed me this song last summer when we were recording the mixtape. I instantly fell in love with the nostalgic feeling in the hook, and it’s been a staple of my summer playlists since.

Nara Leão – “Outra Vez”

Nara Leão is a bossa-nova legend, and this rendition of “Outro Vez” has the sunniest-feeling rhythm section I’ve ever heard. Accompanied by a beautiful string section and piano, it twirls into a harmonically intense bridge after the chorus, before coming back to the happy refrain established earlier in the piece, and then ends on a hauntingly beautiful open chord. This was a go-to track for me when I would ride the bus to work in the summer a few years back!