BURO Playlist: The Best Summer Songs To Listen To Right Now

There’s nothing quite like welcoming summer with a scintillating playlist that captures that feel-good mood we love so much about this season. While Malaysia is mostly summer all year round, that doesn’t mean we can’t get in on the fun. After all, the ever-present sun is an opportunity for us to have those cookouts and pool parties you’ve been wanting to host and put our speakers on blast! 

From upbeat earworms to lazy, sun-drenched tunes, all of us in the editorial team at BURO Malaysia have chosen our essential summer anthems that pass the vibe check. Trust us when we say it was a tough process, but we managed to narrow down our top picks—discover our favourite summer songs ahead!

Jason Lim, Editor-in-Chief

‘Tonight’ by Pink Pantheress

“Core summertime memories from my college days bring back the eager anticipation of nights rich with pure hedonistic possibility. Two songs for two very different reasons, with the first being an absolute bop to begin your pregame with friends. ‘Tonight’ by Pink Pantheress is camp and catchy with the right amount of cheek—just the way I like it.”

‘Fairground’ by Simply Red

“Nothing humbles the partygoer more than the unsettling confusion of stumbling out of a club into the assault of daylight. Simply Red’s ‘Fairground’ is for the long ride home, perfect for reliving the tyrannies and invincibility of youth and young manhood.”

Jacyln Tang, Associate Editor

‘Latch’ by Disclosure ft. Sam Smith

“Every time this song plays, I feel like I’m transcending into another dimension and levitating through clouds of synth and serotonin. The drop hits like a surge of emotion, and suddenly I’m slo-mo spinning in a club or making dramatic eye contact across a rooftop bar. It’s euphoric and sounds like falling in love at a party!”

‘Alive’ by Empire of the Sun

“This track is pure summer euphoria. It makes me want to run barefoot through a field and just live a little louder. There is something about it that unlocks the carefree version of me.”

Redzhanna Jazmin, Beauty Editor

‘Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl’ by Chappell Roan

“I just saw Chappell live at Primavera Sound Festival, and she opened her set with this banger. Believe me when I say it slaps even harder in person. Not only is it fun to sing and dance to, but it has made calling things ‘fugly’ chic again. 10/10.” 

‘Guy Fawkes Tesco Dissociation’ by jasmine.4.t

“This has been the summer of existential crises for me, and this song has been my go-to track to score my life recently. It’s got everything: A hoppy beat, loud guitars, and a melody that is cathartic to sing in the car with my windows rolled all the way down.” 

Nikita Nawawi, Jewellery, Timepieces, and Culture Editor

‘LAGU BALADA KALA HUJAN’ BY FUGŌ

“My playlist leans toward the more depressing side, but it’s not without its beauty. There’s an invisible thread that connects these songs: the longing for reconnection. Pair this wistful indie‑pop ballad with D4vd’s ‘Sleep Well’, HYBS’ ‘Dancing With My Phone’, and The Marías’ ‘Back to Me’ for the full summertime sadness experience.”

‘TÚ’ BY MAYE

“This was supposed to be her ‘Espresso’.” Heck, maybe it was. I stumbled upon Maye this year and could not stop listening to her music. ‘Tú’, in particular, is the embodiment of what a summer anthem is supposed to be. It ticks all the necessary boxes—light vocals, sun-kissed melody, and addictive beats.”

Amanda Fung, Lifestyle Editor

‘One Kiss’ by Calvin Harris ft. Dua Lipa

“Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa are two of the world’s most reliable people when it comes to delivering absolute bangers. The song reminds me of summer 2018, one of the most memorable periods of my time in university, being the final summer break before senior year. Between working and job-hunting, I was spending a lot of time with my friends by the pool at our apartment complex, and this song was always at the top of our playlists. Not to mention, it’s an especially meaningful song for my favourite football team, Liverpool FC, too.”

‘Hype Boy’ by NewJeans/NJZ

“A July banger, this song will never not get my energy flowing. It’s everything I need in a summer anthem: catchy, upbeat, and bright. Plus, we can’t deny the impact this song had on K-pop, being the group’s debut song without any pre-debut promotion. I had this song on repeat and listened to it every single day for about three months, and continue to have it on my daily rotation three years on.”

Marissa Chin, Lifestyle and Culture Writer

‘Show Me Love’ by Wizthemc, bees & honey

“If there’s a song that sounds like the perfect daydream, it’s this euphoric and sentimental single by South African singer, Wizthemc. With its sweetly saturated blend of R&B, electronica, and amapiano elements, ‘Show Me Love’ instantly transports me to a hazy escapade, cruising down the road with my hair in the wind, with a sizzling, summer love about to unfold. The lush instrumentals, the floaty chorus…no notes.”

‘Whiplash’ by Aespa

“Hot girl summer belongs to Aespa, I said what I said! While I miss legendary groups such as Sistar and Red Velvet defining summer in K-pop, it’s been so fun to see Aespa take over the mantle with their edgy bangers. Every comeback is an event to look forward to, and ‘Whiplash’ did not disappoint. The EDM-based song features an intense and fast-paced bass and house beat that is impossible not to dance to. Save this for the sweaty, summer raves!”

Benedict Unang, Fashion Writer

‘Move’ by Adam Port, Stryv ft. Malachiii 

“Afrobeats has always been on my playlist, so it didn’t take long for this song to grab me. It brought back that feeling of being by the sea—salty air, toes in the sand, white wine in hand—just taking it all in, no rush, no rules.”

‘Fame is a Gun’ by Addison Rae

“Addison Rae’s been on my radar since last year, so when her album finally dropped, I had to give it a listen, and it didn’t disappoint. ‘Fame is a Gun’ is easily one of my favourites. The intro’s addictive, and the whole track nails that early 2000s pop in the best way.”

Stephanie Wong, Editorial Assistant

‘This Love’ (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift

“This one always takes me back to a quiet, romantic summer by the beach—waves crashing in the background, the air warm with nostalgia. It’s even more special to me because it was used in The Summer I Turned Pretty, one of my favourite summer romance series that perfectly captures the bittersweet realisation of growing up and falling in love.”

‘360’ by Charli XCX

“The ultimate hot girl summer anthem. Bold and a little unhinged, it makes you want to throw on your best outfit, step into the sun, and let a little chaos into your life.”

We can’t fit all our favourite tunes here, so listen to our full BURO Playlist below for the ultimate summer soundtracks!

For more music reads, head here.