It’s a hot week for some hot new jams, whether you take your jams in the form of sunshine-y tunes, a movie-musical or ahi tuna.
“Solar Power” by Lorde: In case you haven’t heard the big news, Lorde is back. The New Zealand pop star released “Solar Power” last week and we’re still feeling the burn. Her new single encourages us to throw our phone into a body of water, romp around the beach with friends and embrace the summertime, all while bopping along to a celebratory tune.
“Blouse” by Clairo: If you want a song that is incredibly different from “Solar Power,” this is it. A string-heavy song with intimate lyrics, “Blouse” is perfect for a candle-lit cabin night in the woods. Clairo’s voice is soft and timid as she sings; This song is for those summertime sadness days.
“Thot Shit” by Megan Thee Stallion: We can always rely on Megan Thee Stallion for a summer bop — not too long ago everyone was making TikTok dances to the song of the summer, WAP. She’s at it again with “Thot Shit,” which reminds you to shake what you’ve got to a bumping beat.
JJ’s Poke: There’s something incredibly satisfying about a hearty bowl of rice, some fresh tuna, edamame and sesame seeds dressed in a spicy mayo sauce and eaten in the sun. At JJ’s Poke in Dinkytown, you can create your own bowl of poke and decorate it with as much nori or tamago as your heart desires.
“In the Heights:” If you want a movie that’s also a musical that’s also a celebration of culture that’s also a critique on gentrification, then “In the Heights” is for you. Director Jon M. Chu, the director of “Crazy Rich Asians,” adapted the movie from Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes’s Broadway musical. The movie takes place in the New York City neighborhood of Washington Heights where we meet all the characters of this vibrant community and learn a few songs and dances along the way.