Staff Picks: The Tracks That Defined Our Summer
The article features personal song choices from A.V. Club staff, including Olivia Rodrigo's duet with Robert Smith and Slayyyter's "CRANK." It notes that the official song of the summer was Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas," but staff opted for their own favorites.
The A.V. Club's feature presents staff selections that diverge from the chart-topping "Choosin' Texas" by Ella Langley, which set a record for consecutive weeks at number one. The staff choices span various genres and moods, from Olivia Rodrigo's first official duet with Robert Smith to Slayyyter's club-ready track.
The selections reflect personal contexts, such as MUNA's song being tied to a difficult Chicago summer marked by extreme weather and environmental hazards. The piece also encourages reader participation, inviting them to share their own picks and submit future pop culture questions.
The contrast between a record-breaking mainstream hit and these editorially curated selections could underscore the ongoing fragmentation of musical taste, even amid a seemingly unified pop chart. This feature may prompt readers to seek out alternative tracks, potentially boosting visibility for artists like Slayyyter or MUNA. Additionally, by inviting personal responses, the article could reinforce music's role as a deeply contextual, individual experience, shaping how audiences engage with summer soundtracks beyond radio play.