Albums for Summer Nights
Summer is the season for enjoying, drifting – and listening. For half the year, we long for warm days and light-filled nights, when the sun lingers above the rooftops and the streets come alive. As the pace slows down and the senses open up, nothing quite captures the feeling of summer like music. That’s why we’ve gathered our top album picks for these exact moments – personally selected by those of us who work at QB Gallery. Turn up the volume, exhale, and let the music become the soundtrack to your summer.
Mikaela Recommends:
Mr Experience (2020) - Donny Benet
Perfect in the background on an early afternoon with friends.
Hannah Recommends:
The Virgin Suicides (Original Motion Picture Score) (2000) - Air
Trinity (2019) - Eartheater
Equus Asinus (2025) - Men I Trust
Camilla Recommends:
Luar (1981) – Gilberto Gil
A warm and vibrant album blending Brazilian tropicália with reggae and soul – perfect for lazy nights with a breeze through the curtains and a drink in hand.
Lianne La Havas (2020) – Lianne La Havas
Soft, sensual, and intimate, full of warm guitar tones and emotional vocals – ideal for calm, romantic evenings under the stars.
Private Space (2021) – Durand Jones & The Indications
Retro-futuristic soul with disco rhythms and silky falsetto – an elegant soundtrack for glittery, danceable summer nights.
Honey (1975) – Ohio Players
Funky, sexy, and sweet – a classic ‘70s album that oozes heat, hedonism, and long, sweaty nights.
Forevigt (2019) – Hans Philip
Melancholic and minimalist hip-hop with soft beats and poetic lyrics – perfect for a walk or a bike ride on a warm summers evening.
Nuova Napoli (2018) – Nu Genea
A delightful mix of funk, disco, and Neapolitan soul – like a dancing summer night on an Italian rooftop.
Owhaaou...! (2023) – Stanislas Tohon
Vibrant Afro-funk with West African grooves and vintage synth sounds – an energetic yet smooth companion to warm nights filled with rhythm.
Katia Recommends:
Feeding Seahorses by Hand (2019) - Billie Marten
An absolute favorite – with new music on the way this summer.
She has a soft, beautiful voice, and her melodies let your mind wander and drift into daydreams.
Life Is Strange (2021) - Angus & Julia Stone
A guaranteed mood-setter – this artist duo never misses on a summer day or night.
La question (1971) - Françoise Hardy
French lyrics and atmosphere – all you need for a romantic summer evening.
Quarantine Sessions (2021) - Tom Misch
A beautiful acoustic guitar album that lets you float into the summer night.
Miel de Montagne (2019) - Miel de Montagne
An all-time favorite – the very definition of summer vibes.
AYA (2020) - Aya Nakamura
Perfect if you want to vibe, dance, and hum along – pure feel-good rhythms you’ll quickly get hooked on!
XSCAPE (2014) - Michael Jackson
A favorite and a guaranteed winner for that true summer feeling!
Feels Like Home (2004) - Norah Jones
Last but not least – Norah Jones, who makes you dream and enjoy life just a little more.
Melissa Recommends:
Lili Boulanger: Hymne au Soleil. Chorwerke (2018) av Lili Boulanger
Et utvalg korverk fra en av modernismens mest oversette komponister. Musikken er lys, dramatisk og presist formet, med en klang som både vender seg oppover og innover.
Urubu (1976) av Antônio Carlos Jobim
Et melankolsk og orkestralt bossa nova-album der Jobim trekker seg vekk fra rytmen og inn i langsomme, drømmende arrangementer.
Mam Pe'ela Su'ure (2021) av Florence Adooni
Ghanesisk highlife møter gospel og hornrekker i full driv. Adoonis vokal løfter musikken og gjør dette til en kort og intens opplevelse som setter seg.
Steve Reich: Tehillim / The Desert Music (2011) av Steve Reich
To sentrale verk i Reichs katalog som utforsker møtet mellom rytme, stemme og spiritualitet. Musikken beveger seg mellom lys og mørke med hypnotisk presisjon.
Brazilian Dorian Deam (1976) av Manfredo Fest
En elegant blanding av jazz, funk og brasiliansk groove. Fest spiller med avslappet teknikk og melodisk oppfinnsomhet som gjør hver låt helt fantastisk.
Embracing You (2021) av Pablo Held
Lyrisk jazz med stor romfølelse og melodisk klarhet.
Esperanza (2008) av Esperanza Spalding
En energisk og musikalsk rik debut som kombinerer jazz, soul og brasilianske elementer.
No Voo do Urubu (2016) av Arthur Verocai
Komplekse og luftige arrangementer som forener brasiliansk soul med jazzens magi.
Clube Da Esquina (1972) av Milton Nascimento, Lô Borges
En sjangeroverskridende klassiker fra brasiliansk musikkhistorie. Eksperimentelt og poetisk, med et kollektivt uttrykk som fortsatt kjennes fritt og fremoverlent.