The War On Drugs - Lost in the Dream
Channelling the great American rock roots of Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen - fitting for a band from Philadelphia - Lost in the Dream is a big, confident step forward from what they've done before. Whenever you put it on, from the cross-America road-tripping soundtrack of opener Under The Pressure, you're warmed by the hazy sunshine that emanates from the speakers.
Sunniest song: Red Eyes
Weezer - The Blue Album
The Pop-punk scene of the 90s is a purely summer based genre. All those bouncing bass lines and comedy lyrics don't sit well in mid-November, unsurprising for a movement born in California. This album, the first from Rivers Cuomo's band of merry nerds, is a more nuanced take on the genre and the melancholy pop hook pay-offs are hugely rewarding.
Sunniest song: Surf Wax America
Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak
Has there ever been a bigger musical fall from grace than Kings Of Leon? Sure, the Followill clan have swapped great songs with little global recognition for sell out stadium shows and bags o' money but their recent albums have been fairly dull and wet. You could say that would make them the perfect soundtrack to a British summer but we try to be a little bit more optimistic about the weather than that. Their first three records are sublime in any season but the songs from their sophomore offering are the ones that really hit the perfect note as dusk falls on a sun and cider blushed festival crowd.
Sunniest song: The Bucket
The Beach Boys - Today!
Brian Wilson and bros. have so many fantastic beach and surf based fun time tunes spread across tens of albums that perhaps we would have been better off picking a compilation. But we didn't. Mainly for music snobbery reasons and thinking about that Alan Partridge episode where he claims to be a Beatles fan and when asked what his favourite album is he replies 'I would have to say The Best of The Beatles.' Not to say this is our favourite Beach Boys record but it's a really, really good one that features the foot-stomping, hip-swinging, body-shaking brilliance of Do You Wanna Dance?
Sunniest song: Do You Wanna Dance?
Studio One Ska
You know that stuff we said about not wanting to pick a compilation album? Well, something we also say is never say never. We couldn't resist with this. It's the very best of ska from the great Jamaican label. The perfect soundtrack to a summer bbq.
Sunniest song: I'm Going To Take Over Now by The Ethiopians
M83 - Hurry Up We're Dreaming
This French electronic duo have always made sensory musical journeys to soundtrack epic summers, just take their song Lower Your Eyelids to Die With the Sun, but thanks to lead single and ever-present TV tune Midnight City, this 2011 album was the one that brought them their biggest success. Just try not to let thoughts of Made In Chelsea ruin your listening experience.
Sunniest song: Midnight City
Bonobo - The North Borders
Producer Simon Green has steadily been growing an avid following for his laid back and expansive work as Bonobo. Following on from his well received 2010 Black Sands album, The North Borders is music for a chilled sunny afternoon or early morning sunrise. Just depends on your personal penchant for summer partying.
Sunniest song: Cirrus
Best Coast - Crazy For You
One of the bands that started with a set of other acts around 2010 that were inspired by 60s surf rock, such as The Drums and Surfer Blood, Best Coast are the ones who are yet to wipe out and continue to get better. Their first album though is perhaps their most sun drenched.
Sunniest song: Crazy For You
Future Islands - Singles
The Baltimore trio have been making great records for a while now but they've just made arguably their best and thanks to a certain chat show performance they've finally got the audience they deserve. The future is very bright indeed.
Sunniest song: Sun In The Morning
Haim - Days Are Gone
The artwork features the three sunglasses sporting Haim sisters sitting on the grass and staring up at the sun. An album you can definitely judge by its cover.
Sunniest song: Forever