JoySauce Radio: Close Out August With These Summer Songs
From playful love songs, to celebrations of independence, these AA+PI musicians have just what you need end summer on a high note
Words by Anjana Pawa
JoySauce Radio: Consider JoySauce Radio our own personal song recommendations—from the tunes and videos our writers love to DJ-produced mixes of dance floor bangers—all from Asian and Pacific Islander artists around the world.
Say goodbye to the radiant days of August with a curated selection of these summer pop songs brought to you by Asian artists. This month’s selection includes a variety of songs from musicians that come from all ages, backgrounds, and genres. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, winding down by a bonfire, or escaping for one last summer getaway, here are some songs to keep you company along the way.
“Oops! Ur Single Now” by Rhea Raj
This Indian American emerging artist is one to watch in the pop space. Her songs sit at the same table as Dua Lipa’s “New Rules” and Charli XCX’s “Boys” and the lyrics remind us of the likes of Ariana Grande. “Oops! Ur Single Now” is her latest, and it celebrates independence and girlhood. The techno beat with Raj’s alluring vocals on top help to create the perfect summer bop.
“:)” by suggi
Korean Canadian Michael Kim, who goes by the musical moniker suggi, has been taking the indie-acoustic world by storm. The 25-year-old was discovered on YouTube, where he began to post covers in 2014, and he has collected a massive following since. His latest track “:)” is a soft, playful love song off his album moonkid, which was just released this past month.
“Bug Like an Angel” by Mitski
To add an emotional, soul-crushing break in your August playlist, this song by Mitski is the perfect choice. This song is dramatic and grand, but still understated; there are chorales that sing the pre-chorus but Mitski’s soft voice reigns supreme, de-crescendoing back into a light melody. The Japanese American singer is known for this distinctive blend of tones in her song, especially when paired with emotionally charged lyrics.
“girls like me don’t cry” by thuy
This song is the quintessential thuy sound. The 31-year-old Bay Area native cites pop and R&B legends like Britney Spears and Mariah Carey as her main influences, and it shows in her music. All her songs are vocally strong, but paired with R&B-style melodies. Before her musical career, thuy, who was born Thuy Thi Thu Tran, was pursuing a career in the medical field. After realizing her dissatisfaction with her career, she began to post covers online and ultimately landed a record deal.
“From The Start” by Laufey
This song is for all the jazz and bossa nova enthusiasts. The piano melody in “From The Start” is playful and quick and Laufey’s deep, bold vocals accompany it perfectly to set the mood. The Icelandic and Chinese singer-songwriter has had a quick rise to fame over the past year. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2021 and signing a record deal, she’s already put out a studio album with another one coming in September. We have our eye on her!
Published on August 23, 2023
Words by Anjana Pawa
Anjana Pawa is a Brooklyn-based culture reporter who regularly covers music, entertainment and beauty. You can find her on Twitter at @apawawrites.