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Washboard's Summer Vacation Playlist

The season of hammocks and beach balls is on its way, and I'll be your tour guide for some excellent albums to look out for this season, particularly for vacation-goers. Some of these I recommended last year, but they're as ripe and delectable as they've ever been so if you missed them, now's a good chance to fix that.
1Lone
Galaxy Garden

First thing you should know is Lone's newest album comes out in May, and that's something to look out for because skimming over this you might have already noticed Lone is a pretty great artist for the season. Some of you have already heard "Crystal Caverns 1991", and if that's any indication, you've got yourself the first summer contour to sweep up.
2Lone
Emerald Fantasy Tracks

You cannot have a beach party without the chime of Emerald Fantasy Tracks's incredible beats; the bounty is just too large to ignore. The spectrum is as wide as it is suitable; all the water activities and games begin with "Aquamarine", getting soaked in the paradise happens with "Ultramarine", the sunset-watching and martini-sipping goes with "Rissotowe_4", and the cool ocean air blows in just in time for the beautiful "The Birds Don't Fly this High". Sentimental and fun, but not overwhelmingly so, this album's greatest rewards would go to waste if left out of your next seaside (or lakeside) gathering. A pure wave of a sound. Also check out his Echolocations EP for more songs of this flavor.
3Lone
Lemurian

Where to begin? Lemurian is the essence of relaxation, to be blunt. Are you less of a swimmer and more of a jacuzzi hermit? Then don those sunglasses and wrinkle those fingers up, its about to get steamy. As sultry as an evening at the spa can get, Lemurian puts you in a drug-like trance that draws everything around you and makes it kaleidoscopic. Where Emerald Fantasy Tracks is all about waves, Lemurian is stroking the water without a care in the world, if that sort of thing tickles your fancy. Subdued soundtrack to the cabana lifestyle.
4Kona Triangle
Sing a New Sapling Into Existence

Going on vacation, being away from home, loving every second of it; Kona Triangle's album sterilizes all your stress like a getaway does best. Particularly good for tourists or scenery-junkies who thrive on atmosphere, Sapling is already a tropical escape on its own, and one that sings every palm tree and every Pukanawila plant right into your enraptured existence. This is for those who appreciate paradise's smallest sentimental pleasures, sometimes it almost makes you feel homesick.
5Cecil
Cinema Scope

"Washboard, for the love of God shut up with Lone and your fucking electronic albums!" Okay, okay. Get a load of Cecil's Cinema Scope then. This should be more your thing. What we have here is rather perfectly portrayed in the album artwork; just sitting around, eating a pear, watching things around you just happen. It's done through some catchy acoustic guitar-strumming and some gentle, at-ease vocal crooning that's sure to get those end-of-summer blues stirring. You'll get some pensive emotion out of songs like "Safe Rider", the urge to make a celebration out of really insignificant matters with "Kaede ju (fuuju) no Machi", and pretty much everything on here is perfect music to ride on a swing like a carefree child, if you find yourself doing that in your abundant free time. The emotion is human, the instruments are organic, and you'll still get a good case of summer fever. Happy?
6 Orange Pekoe
Organic Plastic Music

Bossanova might not be very popular on this site, but its nonetheless a delectable treat for the summer season. Another hit for the overworked and lazy, though it just as easily works as a strolling album, too. You may not be 65 years old, but walking along the beach might be just what you need to clear your head and minimize your everyday problems, and Organic Plastic Music's upbeat, sunny vibes go hand in hand with that kind of cleansing. Jazzy strings and drums marry luscious samba rhythms gracefully enough, but its the sweet, soaring vocals that emulate the swaying flowers and fluttering seagulls that give your retreat the life and luster it needs. Impartial to the livlihood of your surroundings? Orange Pekoe have got you covered; this album can also be the sedative dream cloud you need to block out your surroundings, so tip that straw hat over your eyes and just float away, if that's the kind of retreat you're after.
7Qypthone
Montuno No. 5

The main theme here has been lounging, so why not throw in a good lounge album with equal parts zest and energy? We've had our party on the beach, but Qypthone is here to bring the party to the bars and, obviously, the lounge. The spicy jazz ensemble is about as lively and jovial as you might want, and the vocals deliver the melody and fiesta in colorful doses with their own touch of Japanese playfulness.
8Paris Match
Type III

Here's something a little more malleable; something that's good anywhere, anytime, but still deserves your leisurely attention. This spot is interchangeable with most of the band's other albums really, but don't let their questionable "consistency" decieve you; there's love to be had with the band's sound. Their blend of smooth jazz is topped off with accessible pop flavoring and abundant vocal hooks, making lightfooted strides peacefully through your ears. A good choice for those summer days spent stuck indoors for one reason or another.
9Late Night Alumni
Haunted

It may have a picture of an ocean on the cover, but the appeal isn't tropical "Wanta-Fanta" this time. You aren't far off though; Haunted more or less feels like taking a spiritual swim just off the coast, finally alone and tranquil. Becky Jean's voice is so pure and so clear, it feels like resting your head on the scaly lap of the Little Mermaid while she strokes your hair and sedates you into that sunset nap you've been chasing. Was that description a little blase for your senses? Try taking this album to whatever quiet, sleepy locale you plan to unwind at and let these pretty, gentle vibes do the unwinding for you.
10Asobi Seksu
Citrus

After taking a dip, its time to get out of the water, towl up (or not), and dry and fizzle out like a landlubber coming home. You might be ready to hit the sack, but you might be ready to tackle the next stage in the arcane craft of bumming; being so indecisive about your next activity that you end up sitting around doing nothing until it's too late. While time burns away and emotions simmer, the essence of Citrus manifests inside you: taking a piss in the bushes of obligation. The season of summer is a carefree being just like you, so why not settle on the fact that decision making is for fall and impulse is called the "heat of the moment" for a reason.
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