My Women in Music Recap: Summer '26
When I wrote my spring 2026 music recap, I led with something to the effect of “this was the busiest season of my life”. While summer didn’t beat that, I managed to set myself up for what is looking like an even busier autumn. I’ve since joined two new publications, write promotional material for companies, and run a successful TikTok/Instagram series of songs I recommend for oddly specific situations. Here’s a glimpse of the soundtrack.
Suki Waterhouse’s Loveland, one of my favorite albums this summer, already gives me unmatched nostalgia. The electric guitar solo in “Puppy Dog Eyes” makes me feel incredibly alive. “Jukebox,” “Any Man,” and “Morals” are wonderful confidence boosters. “Almost” is a devastating but upbeat recount of a relationship that almost happened. “Notting Hill” is an adorable ode to Waterhouse’s fiancé, Robert Pattinson. I adore the more relaxed “When I Get Drunk (I Want You Boy)” and “Seasons.”
Daughter from Hell by Gracie Abrams is incredible. Abrams somehow made “Death Wish” better – previously having been released as a live piano song, it’s now string-led. “The Knife” can cleverly be interpreted as both a breakup song and an ode to mental illness. “Look At My Life” is the ultimate happy-beat-devastating-lyrics song. Abrams grovels about hating how a relationship ended in “Good Reason” and “Sober” – the latter might be my favorite on the album. The beautiful “Imaginary Friend” stings, co-written with boyfriend Paul Mescal. “Humming” touches on political corruption with a haunting tone.
Lexi Jayde’s LOVER GIRL rounds off my albums this summer. Highlights include pre-release singles “I’ve Missed You Longer” and “Delusional,” both having particularly brain-scratching melodies. “Sorry For You” is a wondrous moving-on song for your first time seeing your ex post-breakup. Then there’s “Misunderstood”, my favorite for when you’re dating a love-bombing loser who then has the audacity to say you misread everything. “When Does It End?” combines the awkward-moving-on theme with the toxic-situationship theme. “I Feel It All” closes with stunning harmonies.
I took a few small slices from other albums/EPs and added them to my playlist. “Guard Dog” and “There’s No Sign of Me (Anywhere)” were my favorites on Ella Jane’s latest EP Sparkwheel. The title track of Georgia Webster’s EVERYTHING MUST GO! album was life changing. I loved “As Do I”, a track from ALINA’s latest EP. “Nowhere, Nobody” was my favorite on Ariana Grande’s petal. “Being myself wasn’t easy, do it for me,” a lyric from Phoebe Bridgers’ “The Governor’s Waltz,” makes me feel like I’m being stabbed.
Other songs on my mind included “Scarlett” by Holly Humberstone, which I remembered after seeing her live in June. “Rocksteady/Heavy Metal” by Emma Ogier and Eden Joel continued Ogier’s flawless and quickly-rising-in-popularity discography. “Fifteen (Taylor’s Version)” by Taylor Swift was in rotation. I listened to Swift’s “I Almost Do” a sickening number of times. Weirdly, though, it took me ages to get my head around her latest country release, “I Knew It, I Knew You.” “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac is always a banger. “Masterpiece” by Big Thief never fully leaves my mind.
What was the song of the summer, my taste aside?
“Choosin’ Texas” by Ella Langley was the undeniable song of the summer, and I quite like it! The inescapable song is one of the longest-running Billboard number 1’s ever.
Also, a quick note – many people have issues with Langley’s theorized political views and since those reflect on me too when I support her, I want to clarify that I think it’s unreasonable to hold her politics against her when most backlash is speculation-based. She’s worked with Morgan Wallen, who’s received much-warranted backlash for racist actions, and she's played a festival co-owned by avid Trump supporter Kid Rock, but guilty-by-association is a harsh declaration. Besides, it’s clear these men’s careers aren’t suffering too much from their actions, so why should Langley’s? I refuse to encourage double standards.
Entering fall, I look forward to observing how Olivia Rodrigo’s Unraveled Tour and Phoebe Bridgers’ phone-less Lost Tour unfold. See you at the next recap come December!
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