It's officially summer, and the warm weather is making us feel nostalgic for this month's edition of Mass Mix. Every month we are talking to local music luminaries who share what songs they have been playing on repeat.

Our June lineup includes tracks that will feel right at home in the 80s and 90s, as well as some new songs from music legends.

John Shakespear, “Swinging For the Fences”


Finally! A song about baseball! John Shakespear’s mission statement about a young artist stepping out strong, is genuine, aspirational (note the dark plea and crack in his sunshine vocals) and deathly catchy. The Somerville artist was a founding member of Atlas Lab, who continue to make great music in town, while their band mate hits a home run on his first major release. After a great run of hometown shows, he's headed back to the studio and new destinations in Nashville. Keep swingin’! -Phil Jones, Afternoon Host, 88.9 WERS

Mavis Staples, "Change"


When a living legend like Mavis Staples—who has been making music for seven decades—releases something new, you put your ears to it. Her latest effort, We Get By, was released in May and it's quickly becoming my go-to summer album. Written and produced by Ben Harper, the songs blend blues, gospel, and soul, with simple arrangements that put Staples' vocals and lyrical calls for justice and equality at the forefront. "Change" sets the tone for the entire album, so get it straight away and be sure that you hear. - Adam Xii, Midday Host, ROCK 92.9

Lizzo, “Like a Girl”


There is a lot to love on Lizzo’s third studio album Cuz I Love You, which explores relationships on every level, from romantic ones we share with others to those that we have with our own self-image. Lizzo pulls out all the stops with a sound that plays off of genre classics like The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill while also incorporating more recent pop stylings like those found in Sweetener. Released as part of her April 2019 album, “Like a Girl” strives to make its audience laugh, dance, and feel like they can conquer the world. If lyrics like “the only exes I care about are in my f****** chromosomes” don’t leave you smiling, then Lizzo’s impressive vocal performance will. -Julia Corbett, Digital Content Intern, WGBH

Ed Balloon, “Rainbows”


Ed Balloon is an up-and-coming band whose music you can't quite categorize — in a good way! Their recordings have heavy beats and electronics, while their live set incorporates those sounds along with a full band. The band’s singer, Ed, says “Rainbows” is about “a guy who feels like he's on top of the world after taking drugs. The drugs were used to give him the confidence he could never attain sober. I wrote the song because my friend overdosed, and I wanted to imagine what made him do it. I made the assumption that he just wanted to feel satisfied and drugs could get him there, which wasn’t true. But how can you tell that to an addict?” -Alyssa Spector, Founder of Lysten Agency

Tall Boys, "Step Along"


Boston rockers Tall Boys debut an explosion of breezy, catchy tracks—packed with some seriously enticing and honest lyrical narratives—on their latest EP, Homes In Boston. The first track, "Step Along," is a lo-fi indie rock song with endearing attitude and backbone: "And I'll never trust the sunshine / And I can't depend on the rain / And I simply must get my ass inside / Or I will surely lose my brain." Infused with strong hooks and nostalgic harmonies that you can't help but bob your head to as you listen, the track's refreshingly raw and clever vocals, matched with smooth guitar work laced with an ethereal tone, provide a strong opening to the record. "Step Along" is a refreshing take on indie, with its well-placed hints of wistful psychedelic rock riffs that would appropriately fit as the soundtrack to the late, hazy summer days of the 1990s. -Alexis den Boggende, Staff Writer at Sound of Boston, @ alexisdenboggende

All the Time Always, "Repetition"


There are so many hidden gems in the Boston scene, and All the Time Always is one I want to pull out of hiding. The duo made up of Makele Clemmons and Alex Restivo weave beautiful sonic landscapes on "Repetition" while Clemmons spits with the flow like some of Chicago's greatest, Noname and Chance the Rapper, with notes of Philly's Tierra Whack. The song bounces back and forth between up beat raps and slow ballad crooning flawlessly. The music video is also absolutely gorgeous, sometimes cheeky, and sometimes haunting. It takes a ton of talent to be able to rap and sing as well as Clemmons does, and I can't wait to see what's next for them. -Christine Varriale, Editor-in-Chief at Allston Pudding

TWRP, “Starflight Brigade” feat. Dan Avidan


While TWRP’s (Tupperware Remix Party’s) newest music video was released this year, their song “Starlight Brigade” has been around since 2018. One incredible decision was made: The music video gets to be fully animated, featuring a memorable cast of characters, à la Gorillaz. It combines some of the best stylistic aspects of 80s and 90s anime, cartoons, and sci-fi, using it to create a refined aesthetic that fits a vision desperate for fulfillment. The music video was directed by India Swift, an Irish animator of Knights of the Light Table. -Tristan Gowen, Digital Intern, WGBH

Mannequin Pussy, “Patience”


Philadelphia band Mannequin Pussy takes listeners through just about every quintessential element of punk rock on their latest album Patience. The title track is an excellent showcase of the album’s energy, emotion, and dynamism, and beyond that, manages to contradict traditional songwriting in extremely satisfying ways. In just two minutes, "Patience" sweeps through 4 distinct different sections without a single one feeling rushed or half-baked. It’s simultaneously angry and emotionally delicate. And somehow, it’ll end up stuck in your head for days despite having no real verses or a refrain. It feels just right in a way that’s hard to put your finger on, and along with the rest of the album, shouldn’t be missed. -Camden Phalen, Writer & Photographer, Boston Hassle, @camdenphalen

Francis and the Lights, “Do u Need Love?”


Through this new single, we get to see another side of Francis and the Lights. As big collaborators in the music world, they have worked with Bon Iver, Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, Frank Ocean — the list goes on. With this huge range of collaborations, we shouldn’t be surprised when we hear a different side of him, yet here we are. This new soft ballad starts with a subdued piano and builds as opposed to their usual more electronically heavy sounds. Rawer and more vulnerable, this makes us all the more excited in anticipation for hopefully more music coming out soon. -Audrey Wang, Digital Content Co-op, WGBH

Lower Dens, “Young Republicans”


“Young Republicans” is a surrealistic wallop. It’s the new single from Lower Dens’ forthcoming album The Competition, out September 6th via Ribbon Music. While this single follows close on the heels of their last release, 2015’s Escape from Evil, the song maintains the difficulty with which these underground icons carry forth their legacy. Jana Hunter and Nate Nelson cloak contemporary social unease in glistening, irresistible dance-pop for both the listeners pleasure and philosophical provocation. This is an interesting choice for a single from a band that is constantly full of surprises and is also able to cover large swathes of the emotional spectrum with urgency and necessity, but also with grace and care.
-Chris Hughes, Music Editor, Boston Hassle, @crsjh via Twitter and Instagram

Avicii, “Heaven”


To be completely candid, I have mixed emotions every time I listen to this. On the one hand, for fans of Avicii and the EDM genre, I think this is one of the most advanced and mature-sounding songs he’s ever produced. It’s a synth-driven dance track with Chris Martin’s vocals deftly sprinkled on top. On the other hand, the lyrics are incredibly sad and eerily foreshadowing given that it was released posthumously as part of his TIM album after his tragic death last year. With all that in mind, I like to look at “Heaven” as Avicii’s final crowning achievement in a legendary musical career unfortunately cut far too short. Too heavy? Go listen to Lil Nas X. -Zack Waldman, Digital Social Producer, WGBH

Bruce Springsteen, “Hello Sunshine”


Bruce Springsteen has accomplished almost everything a rock star ever could dream of. No one would blame him for wanting to take a step back and just enjoy his success. But that’s not how Bruce Springsteen works. He’s out with a new concept album Western Stars, and it’s both unlike anything else he’s done and also perfectly fitting for his musical journey. “This record is a return to my solo recordings featuring character-driven songs and sweeping, cinematic orchestral arrangements,” he said about the album. "Hello Sunshine" and all of the tracks form a love letter to everything about America. He has traded in the Jersey Shore for the American West, and especially California. You get the feeling that he he’s been itching to get this out of his system for many years. He continues to define what American music is and can be. -Meghan Smith, Digital Producer, WGBH, @meghansmith55

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, “Rings of Saturn”


Nick Cave has always been my end-all-be-all. From his strung-out hardcore punk to his swoon-worthy love ballads, the man has a song for every season, every day – and every mood. His most recent offering, Skeleton Tree, did not disappoint, adding a new layer to Cave’s already diverse portfolio. “Rings of Saturn,” my favorite off of the album, can be seen as a dedication to his wife, or a paean to the spooky and seductive ways of women themselves. With a beckoning melody from the hands of Warren Ellis, and the chanting, hypnotic lyrics from Cave, the song is completely different from any of the previous work of the duo – and shows them branching out into a bright new future. -Andrea Wolanin, Digital Producer, WGBH

Billy Woods and Kenny Segal – “spongebob” (Backwoodz Studioz)


Early album of the year talk whispers around Billy Woods and Kenny Segal's dark and intoxicating recent Hiding Places. Woods, the NYC rhymeslayer, Segal, the Los Angeles beatmaker; together they create visceral musical worlds. And we're invited to listen. On "spongebob" we're even invited to watch, as there's a video. That's what we have here. Shadows, dark rooms, dizzy vibraphones, fuzz guitars, ambiguous plans, spiraling & unspooling & unleashed free flows. Not to mention sunlight streaming through dirty old windows. This track is easy AND tense. How's that? These parts, these idiosyncratic parts, are all molded into a most appealing whole by these underground hip hop heroes. And it's no doubt some of the best and unique music I've heard all year and I just keep playing this song over and over. And Billy Woods lands himself in Boston @ Dorchester Art Project on 7/6. Can't miss. Daniel Shea, Editor-In-Chief, Boston Hassle

Corner Soul, “Keeping Up”


Lately, contemporary media and fashion often seem to be paying tribute to fads from generations passed. Between guitars washed in reverb, tucked t-shirts, and remakes of ‘90s Disney movies, it’s clear that past trends have some coveted marketable qualities — and everyone wants a piece of ‘em. I can’t help but wonder: where does it go from here? How can something really pioneer progress by reinstalling the past? With fanny packs trailing by only a hair, Corner Soul is the golden answer. They’ve masterfully mixed smoky vocals, infectious industrial rhythms, and lo-fi samples to produce “Keeping Up,” a modern adaptation of sonic glitz from nights so long ago. Sharing the disjointed vibe of vintage beat tapes, Corner Soul’s latest record, Instant Gratification, captures more than lightning in a bottle: it actually captures memories. Instant Gratification boasts “Keeping Up” and many other tracks as a tasteful way of paying homage to its influences without losing sight of the future. -Luke Pelletier, Staff Writer, The Lowell Spin