Collegiate Times

With the calendar year more than half over and the academic year about to start, it's a great time to go over some of the summer's best tracks. These songs come from several of the year's best releases, from newcomers such as Fleet Foxes and The Cool Kids to veterans such as Atmosphere and Beck. Here are 12 tunes for you to put on your mix tape.

1. SUBTLE - "DAY DANGEROUS"-

Starting off the mix is Subtle, an eclectic group whose new album, "ExitingARM," is a great blend of pop, rock, and hip-hop. Unlike most bands who attempt that melding, Subtle pull it off with ease. This track is a perfect example of its approach, with distorted sound and pop vocal styles.

2. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - "WATER CURSES"

Over eight albums, Animal Collective has proven itself a bit different. On its "Water Curses" EP (Domino), the band has decided to become accessible. Building choruses upon choruses, the title track is an enjoyable adventure, probably aboard a watercraft.

3. CUT COPY - "SO HAUNTED"

Australian outfit Cut Copy's newest album, "In Ghost Colours" (Modular), wants you to dance. With a bit of an '80s feel, "So Haunted" is one of the best songs from the album, even with its relentless talk about satellites.

4. M83 - "KIM AND JESSIE"

Anthony Gonzalez, otherwise known as M83, has a synthesizer, which he really enjoys using. It's prevalent in his album "Saturdays=Youth" (Mute), which was inspired by John Hughes films. "Kim and Jessie" sounds as if it could have been from one of those movies.

5. THE COOL KIDS - "A LIL BIT COOLER"

Apparently, the '80s possess a large influence on music as a whole these days. Enter Chicago's Cool Kids, whose new EP, "The Bake Sale" (Chocolate Industries), is one of the year's best releases. Using self-made, 808-inspired beats, the Cool Kids have made a great homage to late '80s hip-hop. "A Lil Bit Cooler" declares being the first in line for trends, and the Cool Kids seem to be working that angle to perfection.

6. LYRICS BORN - "DON'T CHANGE"

Lyrics Born knows how to put a party on a record, as evidenced by his latest album "Everywhere at Once" (Anti-). On "Don't Change," Born speaks about being true to oneself, all the while allowing for an enjoyable listening experience. Not necessarily life changing, but good nonetheless.

7. ATMOSPHERE - "YOU"

On its most recent release, "When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That S--- Gold" (Rhymesayers), Atmosphere went in a few different directions. Slug's songwriting style went from personal to storytelling, and Ant brought in live production. "You" utilizes a guitar while Slug tells the story of a woman who is having a miserable life. The protagonist might be distraught, but Slug is there for comfort.

8. GIRL TALK - "PLAY YOUR PART (PT ONE)"

Gregg Gillis is the modern king of the mash-up. His newest album, "Feed the Animals" (Illegal Art), might not be his best effort, but it does have some gems. One of those is this cut, which mixes the music of the memorable "Gimme Some Lovin'" with Bun B's verse from "International Player's Anthem (Part One)." A perfect sonic, saccharine summer treat.

9. ISLANDS - "CREEPER"

"Arm's Way" (Anti-) is the most recent release from Canada's Islands, and it portrays the laidback element of summer. Creative pop jams mend with beautifully written ballads, making a great beach record. "Creeper" is a pop song, with fantastic rhyme scheme and a melody that sticks.

10. BECK - "GAMMA RAY"

Beck's body of work speaks for itself, but on the album that may be his last for Interscope, "Modern Guilt," he seems not to be trying. Danger Mouse is assisting, and that does make a few good tracks. One of those is the single, "Gamma Ray," where Beck talks about "ice caps melting down," even though the song itself is somewhat upbeat.

11. THE HOLD STEADY - "CONSTRUCTIVE SUMMER"

This song was mentioned in a record review a few weeks ago, and with good reason. Craig Finn, Tad Kubler and company make music that can only be described as "rock and roll" while giving you the annual reminder "that we can all be something bigger."

12. FLEET FOXES - "RAGGED WOOD"

Fleet Foxes may be based out of Seattle, but it could easily have come from somewhere in the Appalachian Mountains. Its self-titled debut for Sub Pop is full of songs with folk influence and creative vocal harmonies. "Ragged Wood" is a great tune, embodying the whole of the record.