Best Albums of the Summer

“Speak Now (TV)” - Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift made a big impact again in the music industry. Swift released the re-recording of “Speak Now" on July 7, 2023, which was perfectly in time for the heat of the summer. The album was originally released on Oct. 25, 2010 with sixteen songs but was re-released with six new songs, making a total of twenty two tracks on “Speak Now Taylor’s Version.”

This album was highly anticipated by fans, as some “Swifties” were finding clues to the release date of the re-recorded album. The album was announced at the first Nashville date of the Eras Tour on May 5, 2023.

The album was announced to have six new songs added “from the vault”: “Electric Touch (feat. Fall Out Boy),” “When Emma Falls in Love,” “Foolish One,” “Castles Crumbling (Feat. Hayley Williams),” “Timeless,” and “I Can See You.”

On July 7, 2023 when Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) was released, she was performing in Kansas City, Missouri. To everyone's shock, Swift brought Taylor Lautner, Presley Cash and Joey King onto the stage for the official “I Can See You” music video watch party.

Swift also found a way to break more records with the release of “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).” Swift now holds the most number one albums of any female in history, and held the most spots occupied by a female musician on the streaming songs charts.

“Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” was the album of the summer, having the most insane party in Kansas City and beating records all of July. Taylor Swift knows how to make a summer magical and enchanted, and “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” did just that in 2023. – Grace Bowman

“Come Get Your Wife”- Elle King

In Elle King’s debut country album, she displays her musical ability as well as a new spin on her vocal talents. In the past, King has experimented with a multitude of genres including vintage Americana, blues rock, alt rock and even punk and R&B.

In 2021, she collaborated with popular country artist Miranda Lambert on their certified platinum hit, “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),” which is the lead single off of this album. This tune was the inspiration behind the 2023 album.

Despite releasing “Come Get Your Wife” as a full country album, King experiments with a variety of subgenres, which only deepen the spectrum and variety of songs of the album; King refuses to fit into a specific box that confines her to a single genre.

Certain songs on the album lean more into her standard, rock and roll power ballad sound, while some have a folksy, Appalachian sound that is distinctly different from her typical music. King also experiments with gospel on this album in the song, “Try Jesus,” despite her lack of religious background.

Before the album’s release, King wrote in an Instagram caption, “each track comes from influences of all genres, and I know now country music is where I belong.” However, it was not entirely King’s idea to lean into the genre of country music as much as she has since 2021.

Following the success of her collaboration with Miranda Lambert, King’s team advised her that in order to keep her momentum and success on country radio, she should consider committing to country music full-time.

This album is one of the best country albums of the year and effectively embodies what country music has evolved into during this day and age. – Rachel Newnam

“Barbie: The Album”

It’s hard to think of anything about pop culture this summer without mentioning the blockbuster film “Barbie.” While the movie itself was iconic, the album that made up the film's soundtrack helped make “Barbie” go from a great movie to a cultural moment.

“Barbie: The Album” was produced by Kevin Weaver, Brandon Davis and most notably Mark Ronson. This team behind the soundtrack was a dead giveaway at the pop excellence this album would contain.

There are hits like “Dance the Night” by Dua Lipa and “Barbie World” by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice. Charli XCX and Karol G also contributed two perfect pop songs, “Speed Drive” and “Watati.”

But the songs that were heavily featured in the film, such as “I’m Just Ken” and “Pink,” make “Barbie: The Album” something more than a collection of fun pop songs.

Mainly “What Was I Made For” by Billie Eilish. The song doesn’t just perfectly work within the movie, but it may be one of the best songs in Eilish’s discography.

“Barbie: The Album” contains songs that have chances to take home Grammys and Oscars and was the perfect pairing for this cultural juggernaut of a movie. -Sophia D’Ovidio

Grace Bowman is a third-year majoring in biology and minoring in psychological sciences. To contact her, email gab5585@psu.edu

Rachel Newnam is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email ren5102@psu.edu

Sophia D’Ovidio is a third-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email sgd5184@psu.edu.