You're the summer

These days, it is so hot that my brain cannot come up with similes with which to impart how hot it is. It is so hot that I retweeted an actress who observed, simply, “Ang init” — because it suddenly seemed like a deep profound truth. It is so hot that my cat shaved himself and now looks like an embutido with whiskers.

Music may help. At the very least it might transform your sun-baked traffic ordeal into a Boracay-like mirage…

VACATION, I WANNA GO: A little over a month ago, the wonderful Danish pop band Alphabeat said on their Twitter account: “Hmm. Wondering how people think/wish our new songs will sound...” Based on my experience with their past releases, I answered, “Like heart-soaring starbursts of joy fireworking across the universe. No pressure.” To which they replied: “90% spot on! Kinda.” Now the new single — Vacation — is out, and it is, indeed, a little starburst of joy, immensely entertaining and energetic like most of their oeuvre, though perhaps falling a little short of such dancing-in-the-streets classics as Fascination. Still, it makes a great addition to one’s summer soundtrack, especially for those of you going on out-of-town trips (which, judging from my Instagram feed, is all of you. He said bitterly). Watch the video, it is fun and travel-themed and features cute clothes and cute band members.

Lightships: The cover of their first single, Sweetness in Her Spark.

THE SWEETNESS IN HER SPARK: Quite the prettiest thing I have heard all year is “Electric Cables,” the debut album by Lightships, a.k.a. Gerard Love and friends. Fans of Scottish pop-rock band Teenage Fanclub will know Love as a vocalist and songwriter and bassist of no small talent. Joining him on Lightships are Dave McGowan (guitar, Teenage Fanclub), Brendan O’Hare (drums, from the first incarnation of Teenage Fanclub), Tom Crossley (flute, International Airport and The Pastels) and Bob Kildea (bass, Belle & Sebastian). The results, as might have been expected, are deliriously melodic and summer-sweet, with just a touch of hazy melancholy. For a sample, look up the video for first single Sweetness in Her Spark online. It is like drifting through a daydream, like watching half-forgotten memories projected on a slowly shifting sky.

PLANET ROCK: So there’s this thing happening on May 1 called the Manila Music Festival, organized by Volume Unit Entertainment (VUE). To quote their website (manilamusicfestival.weebly.com): “With Manila Music Festival (MMF), VUE aims to position Manila as one of the premier music destinations in Asia, to further promote the local music industry to a broader domestic and international market. This year’s MMF features acts such as “the Amen Ra of Universal Hip Hop Culture” and “Father of Electro Funk Sound,” Afrika Bambaataa of Zulu Nation (NYC), world class musician, DJ, musician, and producer, Shinichi Osawa, formerly from Mondo Grosso (JP), and Ali Shaheed Muhammad of critically acclaimed, A Tribe Called Quest (NYC).” Pinoy acts Razorback, Kjwan, WilabaliW, SinoSikat, Lady I and June Marieezy will share the main stage, and the Red Bull DJ Booth will feature Similar Objects, Noodles, DJ Complex, Kristian Hernandez, Miss Badkiss, Kishore, Liquid A, and Katsunami. Looks quite promising. Hope to see you there!