Your 2014 Music Queens of the Summer

Today is the first official day of Summer, but in a lot of America, we’ve been feeling the heat for weeks already. Summer is for SPFs, cookouts, bikinis, ice cream—and upbeat fun music. Sun’s out gun’s out means it’s time to name the 2014 queens of summer—the artists and songs you’ll be hearing everywhere this year. Click the artist name to open their Spotify page and create a playlist to rock all season long!

Lana del Rey

I was late to board the Lana train and finally discovered her last summer, but I have more than made up for it in the time since. Her new release, Ultraviolence, was released this week and while it has a much different vibe than Born to Die, it’s still going to be a great summer listen. Be sure and put lead single “West Coast” on your poolside playlist!

Iggy Azalea

Iggy’s “Fancy” seems to be blowing up everywhere, and with good reason—it’s awesome! The rest of her album The New Classic is full of upbeat tunes you can’t help but sing along to. Perfect for parties on the beach or parties at all, really. (I’m also crazy about her because she sings live.) Play “F*ck Love” and declare your independence—this is going to be my go-to jam this year.

Ariana Grande

It pains me a little to list a former Nickelodeon star, but Grande’s “Problem” (featuring fellow nouveau queen Iggy Azalea) is undeniably catchy. This girl (and her melisma) have been compared to Mariah Carey more than once, and if she stays away from marrying any record label execs, I could see her having some real commercial success.

Charli XCX

Charli co-wrote and was featured on a hit from a few years ago, Icona Pop’s “I Love It” – remember that? Helped more recently by her performance on “Fancy,” XCX is another singer I expect to see blow up over the summer. Her single “Boom Clap” from The Fault in Our Stars‘ incredible soundtrack is constantly on repeat in my house, and I’m not the only one loving it – it’s getting radio airplay all over the world.

Check these ladies out and keep an ear out for them this summer, and let us know who you’re hoping takes over the airwaves!