Major Lazer

So, it looks like summer is finally upon us, and this one is shaping up to be a doozy so far. And with the warm weather that summer brings, you are going to need some new tunes to serve as the soundtrack. Having a party this weekend, and you don’t know what to play for music? Or perhaps you’re going on a road trip, and you need the perfect driving playlist. Never fear, that’s where I can help. Below are seven mixtapes/mixes from a variety of artists and DJs, that’ll perfectly suit your summer activities, whether it be getting ready to go out dancing or mowing your lawn.

Who: A-Trak’s Dirty South Dance 2
Featuring: Lil Wayne, Drake, Ludacris, David Guetta
Top track: A-Trak – “Ain’t I A Joker (Yung LA vs. Joker)”
Summer activity: This is the sequel to Montreal DJ A-Trak’s wildly popular Dirty South Dance mixtape, which takes tracks from some of the biggest names in Southern hip-hop, and mashes them with dance club bangers. This one will sound great rattling out of your car trunk while driving around downtown on a Saturday night with the windows down.
Serve with: In the words of the infamous Bryan Williams, aka Birdman, aka Baby, why not try a “24-hour champagne diet”? On second thought, maybe not.

Who: Major Lazer & La Roux Presents Lazerproof
Featuring: Major Lazer, La Roux, Amanda Blank, Rusko
Top track: La Roux – “I’m Not Your Lemonade (Heroes ‘N’ Villains Remix feat. Gucci Mane)”
Summer activity: Working out. Take one part Diplo and Switch’s futuristic Major Lazer reggae/dancehall riddims, and one part La Roux’s anthemic “me-against-the-world” choruses, and you have the perfect recipe for a mixtape that’ll make you want to sweat it out. Special shout out to whoever designed the mixtape’s awesome Iron Man 2-inspired cover artwork.
Serve with: Rasta Monsta, How To Make It In America’s Rene Calderon’s drink of choice.

Who: Woodhands’ Pre Party Jamz Vol. 92 for NickyDigital.com
Featuring: Gucci Mane, Kraftwerk, N.A.S.A., The Bug
Top track: Peter, Bjorn & John – “Nothing To Worry About (Woodhands Remix)”
Summer activity: In Woodhands’ write-up for this mix, the band says that they “never fuck with DJs”. But after listening to this pretty seamless 45 minutes of tunage, an eclectic mix of American hip-hop, British dubstep, and Swedish indie pop, I’m pretty confidant in saying that if you by chance find yourself attending a party with Dan Werb and/or Paul Banwatt, you could do far worse than letting them pick the music. Throw this one on at your next house party, or getting ready for a night out on the town, and it’ll be sure to get everyone dancing.
Serve with: Nothing says “summer drink” quite like a mojito. If you’re in Toronto, might I recommend grabbing one at the swankier-than-thou Drake Hotel? Coincidentally enough, this is where I saw Woodhands perform for the first time, and I promise you their bartenders don’t disappoint.

Who: Jean Grae’s Memorial Day BBQ Soundtrack for Flavorwire.com
Featuring: Marvin Gaye, Kool and The Gang, DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince, Stevie Wonder
Top track: Michael Jackson – “PYT” (duh)
Summer activity: Canada Day BBQs, Independence Day BBQs, or just about anytime you are firing up the grill and having people over in your backyard. An old-school playlist, but a good one.
Serve with: Pabst Blue Ribbon (R.I.P. Dennis Hopper) and some sort of barbecued meat. Or a Smirnoff Ice (please read this if you aren’t familiar with “Bros Icing Bros”, the hottest new drinking game/method of public humiliation sweeping North America).

Who: Pretty Much Amazing’s PMACAST No. 29 – Summer Playlist 2010
Featuring: Animal Collective, Free Energy, LCD Soundsystem, jj
Top track: Sleigh Bells – “Infinity Guitars”
Summer activity: On a boat. Or, if you don’t have one (or had to sell yours because of that damn recession), than burn this podcast (featuring some of the hottest new tracks from all your favourite bands) to a CD and bring it to the beach for playing in your boombox (sorry for the multiple Lonely Island references).
Serve with: Ice cream. Om nom nom.

Who: CBC Radio 3 podcasts
Featuring: Everything that’s good in Canadian music; think Tokyo Police Club, Hey Rosetta!, Shad, etc., no Bieber or Nickelback.
Top track: Depends on your mood. Check out the Holy Fuck and Faunts in-studio sessions.
Summer activity: Roadtripping. According to this helpful/not-so-helpful guide from eHow, “Road trips are fun, especially when you have some fun tunes to accompany them. Making a mix is so easy, but pleasing everyone in the car is a different story.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. With any luck, whether you’re heading to an awesome summer music festival or just having fun getting lost, with these podcasts you’ll have sing-alongs that rival this one.
Serve with: Canadian beer. Sometimes it’s just that simple. Don’t drink and drive though!

Who: Midnight Conspiracy’s Dead Fame Tour Mix
Featuring: Radiohead, The Dandy Warhols, Dragonette, Miami Horror
Top track: Crystal Castles – “Crimewave (Midnight Conspiracy Remix)”
Summer activity: Mowing the lawn. Because, you know, it won’t mow itself.
Serve with: A ridiculously overpriced iced coffee from Starbucks to reward yourself for a job well done.