Every Chicago Summer has it's own soundtrack — so what did our staff choose as the 'Songs of the Summer?’ We invite you to take a look back at the records that shaped our past few months.

KAINA - Green

Simply put -Kaina's "Green" sounds like summer. It makes your backyard BBQ taste better. It makes a hot, sweaty dance floor even swampier. It feels like aimlessly cruising around the city on foot, feet off the bike pedals rolling downhill, windows all the way down but with the A/C blasting. It sounds like friends laughing, glasses clinking and memories being made. - Patrick ‘Pwelbs’ Welby

Kahrion - Silver Bullets (Feat. Qari)

'Rambe World' was a sneaky great album and “Silver Bullets” featuring Qari found itself on repeat all summer long. Kahrion is one of the best technical rappers I know and he repped so hard for the currently underrepresented West Side of Chicago - Brent Butcher

VICTOR INTERNET - Veins

I used to have a secret Tumblr in my late teens where I would write about the inescapable feeling of dread that came with moving away from home and standing on the precipice of adulthood. "Veins" emerges from similar sentiments and diaristic approach, creating a record that plunges me back to my adolescence when songs like this would undo me. - Pedro Gonzalez

Divino Niño - Melty Caramelo

Divino Niño’s “Melty Caramelo” feels like an ode to the saying; love is like a drug. It's optimistic tone charms listeners. The song feels like either a confession or declaration of endearment. For me, it’s simultaneously both, undoubtedly lifting the spirit to a state of summertime bliss just as sweet as the love, or drug it describes. - Carlos Castillo

Queen Key - Substitute

"Substitute" is Queen Key at her best. A colorful and abrasive writer -the chorus here isn't just quick-witted, but skillfully executed. I kicked-off summer with the right energy thanks to this bright, fun and esteem-boosting deep-cut. - Pedro Gonzalez

Supa Bwe - Look (Feat. Qari)

I first heard a snippet on IG back in April and then saw them perform it live at Supa's headlining/Hurt Everybody reunion show. That shit was like testosterone at an all-time high. When the video dropped, I played it on my TV and had the speakers at full volume. It taps into your most primal emotions and feelings. A cathartic experience forsure. - Alejandro Hernandez

King Von - Crazy Story 2.0 (feat. Lil Durk)

Whenever I turn on this song I get a lot of “Kill Shit” by G Herbo & Lil Bibby vibes from back in the day and it keeps me going back to it. The beat slaps so hard you’ll be pressing replay as soon as the first listen flies by. - Luis Hernandez

Calboy - Envy Me

We were initially conflicted on adding "Envy Me" to the list, after all, it's almost a year old. But the fact that this song was unescapable all summer long is undeniable. Hearing the breakout single at Blind Barber had me so excited; I immediately jumped on the nearest couch and belted out the lyrics with my friends. - Marlena Wadley

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