The sun’ll come out…tomorrow?

January through March proves to us year after year that we have an innate need to see the sun. Once the holidays are over, the cold lingers like a bad friend with no social awareness, and all you can do is pray they look at the clock.

It’s gratifying to see the world breathe again once the clouds part—ideas get brighter, people are nicer, and you feel healthier—it’s also calming to know the winter weather was the partial culprit to our unhappiness, and there’s relief in knowing the sun is truly a source of joy.

Whether you’re preparing for spring break or seeking sunshine through alternative outlets until summer finally arrives, here are sun-kissed tunes that will give you the escape you’re searching for.

“What a Pleasure” - Beach Fossils (2011)

Despite their coastal nature, the Beach Fossils are surprisingly based in New York City and reflect California sounds but are never labeled as such. Personally, they belong in the realm of surf rock regardless of how polished people claim them to be. Nonetheless, “What a Pleasure” is both the title of the song and the album and it’s easy to understand why.

With this song in particular, the Beach Fossils paint a picture of a day at the beach: kites are flying in the cerulean-blue sky, eager kids build gnarly sandcastles, footprints appear all over the shore attached to happy couples searching for seashells, and a surfer just caught their big wave. The image takes over as you try to dig your feet in the sand.

That lucid display is thanks to the chiming guitar that creates streaks of sunlight every time it's strummed. The repetitive chords prepare the listener for a trip to a coastal city, so crisp and metallic, and offset by peaceful vocals that you believe you’re there. Thanks to the Beach Fossils, the ocean doesn’t feel too far away.

“The Game of Love” - Santana (ft. Michelle Branch) (2002)

Santana and Michelle Branch partner to create a piece that solidifies the summer sounds of the early 2000s. Initially, the song was supposed to be sung by a male artist (Gregg Alexander from New Radicals), but the producer felt that the song would be better executed and have more youth appeal with female vocals. That choice revolutionized this track on Shaman, making it the most popular song on the album.

If I had to infer what summer felt like in 2002, this track represents its entirety. Branch’s voice belongs in every 2000s chick flick; her clear alto voice flows in the song, bleeding with images of low-rise jeans, butterfly clips, and Juicy Couture. It’s best paired with a convertible and windswept hair.

However, Santana doesn’t take a backseat on this piece. His artistry shines alongside Branch’s voice, accenting her every word with his drawn-out notes and trills. Like all of his songs, there’s a significant Latin overtone through his guitar, rhythm, and other instrumentation such as piano, percussion, drums, and horns. Let’s be honest, Santana has always been the soundtrack of summer.

“2am” - Slightly Stoopid (2007)

Lastly, Slightly Stoopid represents my guilty pleasure of reggae-rock, a genre sometimes overlooked in years of late. The band epitomizes exactly where they originate from, Ocean Beach, California. It’s slightly different from the initial picture that comes to mind when one thinks of the West Coast; it’s a lifestyle that belongs to the skaters, surfers, and partiers—a little dirtier, more down to Earth, and raw.

“2am” provides listeners with that specific vibe. The nearly five-minute song is ideal for kicking back, but also just right for gathering around the backyard table with your closest friends and a deck of cards." With “2am,” the mosquitos are biting, the tomfoolery is happening, and the jokes are rolling.

This track is particularly playful with its instruments; the beat remains the same throughout the song, accompanied by various percussion, but the saxophone makes itself known and guides the listener toward the “hang loose” experience. Finally, lead singer, Kyle McDonald’s distinct sound is the final piece to the abnormal puzzle.

On the days you wait for the sun to come out, be sure to check out my summer playlist for all of your vitamin D needs.