Songs of Summer
Contributor Piece by Yanni K.
2022 is the base for my song selection for 2025’s Songs of Summer.
This, being directly after Hailey and I graduated from VCU’s Robertson School of Media and Culture. This, and spending a good month and a half emptying my bank account in Morocco, Spain, England and Greece. As June rolls around each year, I think back to 2022 as the first summer swarming in relief for travel and social reconnection—the first real true season of no restrictions or masks from COVID-19 in the United States.
Often, I’m one to connect a song to a memory and find that the true beauty of life itself lay in pressing play and traveling back in time. Here’s what we’ll do with this Top 10 for the readers of Hailey’s Archive:
#1: Drake — A Keeper
Kicking it off way-back-when to a piping hot June of 2022; an afternoon in Chania of Crete, Greece.
From left to right, Yanni K, Angelo, and Alex in Chania of Crete, Greece in 2022.
Myself, my brother Alexandros (Alex) and friend Angelo rode a luxury rental car (Chevy Spark) to Elafonisi Beach.
Yanni K in the waters of Elafonisi, Greece in 2024.
We set down a towel playing raketes with a JBL Clip to play that first line, “okayyyy, okayyyyy,”. Words that bring me back every time.
#2. boy 2000 — Right Away
Hailey and Jordan inadvertently showed me this one, actually—at her childhood home for a Memorial Day get together. I sat on her main living room’s couch (after a couple of beverages) when I heard this one come on.
Since then, I’ve played it constantly throughout the summer; smooth serenity surround-sound for take-off to this year’s Greece trip.
#3. A-Clark & Vinny — Gli Ostacoli Del Cuore
Y’all rocking with Italian house??
Alex is why I do. He found this song on Tony Arbolino’s Instagram story, immediately entered my daily playlist and hasn’t left since.
Play this song at the beach or driving with the windows down…you’ll understand.
#4. Max B — I Gotta Habit
My best friend Walter and I create a joint Apple Music playlist each Summer. This year, it’s become the unofficial song of the season; every shore abroad accompanied a queue with ‘I Gotta Habit’, learning the lyrics more and more each year. Shoutout to Max B, who is getting out of prison this year and will forever be remembered in my book for the heat waves of 2025. (Editor’s note: with hesitation to his history of violence).
#5. Bryson Tiller — Random Access Memory [RAM] ft. Clara La San
This right here…special.
In last year’s Crete visit, Alex found a dessert spot that just-so-happened to have the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen in my life. Very video-worthy.
The Sunset in Chania of Crete, Greece in 2024.
#6. Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa — One Kiss
Liverpool trophy celebrations. (Editor’s Note: Sigh. H.A. Exec roots for Chelsea, but we love the passion, Yanni). Every time this song plays, it brings me back to every happy moment I’ve had with my beloved Reds.
It means so much more after Diogo Jota and Andre’s sudden and unfortunate passing. Diogo’s last memeories with Liverpool are the parade where we celebrated our 20th league title, with this song repeatedly playing throughout the entire day.
What a song.
What a city.
What a club.
#7. Bad Bunny — Efecto
Summer 2022. You just had to be there.
Un Verano Sin Ti is an album I’ll remember since then, and one that I suggest to be replayed for every year after.
#8. Tego Calderon — Pa’ Que Retozen
The song that makes you feel like the coolest person alive cruising with the windows down.
You’re on your way to the club after a pregame—you play this song when you’re, like, THREE songs away from drop-off.
#9. Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina — Stereo Love
A TOP 10 SONG OF ALL TIMEEEE.
If you play this song and you don’t feel the ultimate summer vibe…you’ve lost the plot, mate.
#10. Travis Scott — Telekinesis ft. SZA & Future
Oddly enough, the movie theatre in Tyson’s Corner Mall is the first time I’ve heard this one.
9:17PM, me and the boys being the last ones on Chalkidiki beach, I heard this shuffle next on-speaker. Very on brand, I filmed the water and sunset to, “I can hear your thoughts so loud, I can hear the crowd so loud,”.
The Sunset in Chalkidiki beach, Greece in 2025.
Like I’ve said before—how we connect music to our life experiences is what truly makes it special. Shout out to The Archive and make sure yous are tuned in for the FW25 drop coming soon.
Until next time,
This is YSN, signing out.
Editor’s Note
Yanni K. remains a special part of the Archive as an early contributor to collegiate ventures in journalism. Breaking the boundaries of a rather strict university newsroom, YSN brought the lifestyle, music, and sports sector of the VCU Commonwealth Times to a whole new level.
Today, he proudly expresses his creative pursuits through varying avenues:
Associate Production with SiriusXM Radio
Production Assistance with Monumental Sports
Thank you, Yanni, for this contributor’s piece on the beats that keep our peers listening!
Hailey
