Summer’s Last Jam: Salt Lake City’s Local Music Roundup

As the sun sets on the long, lazy days of summer, there’s a unique shift in the air—a bittersweet transition to cooler nights and the inevitable embrace of autumn. This collection of songs from Salt Lake City’s local music scene perfectly captures that in-between moment, where memories of warm evenings linger, but the crispness of change is undeniable. Each track offers a distinct reflection of these waning days, combining the nostalgia of summer with the contemplative mood of the approaching fall.

These songs form a perfect playlist for those quiet moments spent contemplating the passage of time. Whether you’re reminiscing about fleeting summer romances, embarking on personal reflection, or simply taking in the beauty of a sunset, this roundup offers a musical soundtrack that will ease you into the cooler months ahead.

Let’s look at SLC’s favorites!

Sunhills- “Planetarium”

“Like a lot of art, this album is about growing up! And heartbreak and feeling stagnant and also resisting change. I had just gone through a breakup, and I was thinking a lot about space (I’m always thinking about space). I was experiencing these seemingly gigantic and unresolvable emotions and wanting so badly to be somebody else, while also facing the fact that we are incomprehensibly small in this universe. To have big problems swallow me whole only to be swallowed by a majestic sky. There is a strange, ethereal, and euphoric beauty to that experience and that’s what we wanted to give with the record.”  -Sunhills

Sunhills’ debut album “Planetarium” is an evocative exploration of the human experience, set against the vast backdrop of space. As the band describes it, this record reflects the journey of navigating heartbreak and grappling with the immensity of existence. The album resonates with a haunting beauty, drawing listeners into an expansive cosmic wonder that’s somehow so intimate at the same time.

The opening track, “Star Tipping,” sets the tone with its seven-minute odyssey. The song immerses you in a blend of melancholic beauty and ethereal sounds. The dragged-out vocals and reflective lyrics, such as “I spent some time alone / don’t use my voice or check my phone,” create a profound atmosphere of solitude and longing. This track, and the album, evokes the sensation of late-night drives under a star-studded sky, contemplating the mysteries of existence and one’s place in the universe. 

Cardinal Bloom- “The Only Place I’ve Ever Known”

“We are so excited for our first album to release. We put a lot of emotion and hard work into this project and hope it can connect with people as much as it has for us! It has been a culmination of our growing songwriting over the years and we hope you can experience that as you listen through the album!” -Cardinal Bloom 

Listening to Cardinal Bloom’s debut album “The Only Place I’ve Ever Known” is like taking a nostalgic stroll through the winding streets of your past, each track is a vivid snapshot of moments that both comfort and haunt. From the very first note, the album envelops you in a warm, bittersweet embrace reminiscent of long summer afternoons and the fleeting joy of youth.

The mood fluctuates seamlessly between exuberant highs and reflective lows. Tracks like “Nothing Stays The Same” burst forth with a raw energetic intensity that mirrors the tumult of embracing change. Others offer slower, more contemplative vibes. The lyrics showcase a blend of vulnerability and strength, reflecting on relationships, personal transformation, and the passage of time. Cardinal Bloom has crafted a record that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever looked back on their life with a mix of love, loss, and acceptance. 

miicah- “COMAS”

“COMAS is the space between a painful confrontation and true love. Whilst no harsh nor toxic feelings were involved, it still hurts like you lost someone to death. I started writing it while dating a girl from Ecuador and we ended up splitting up [so] I then finished the song and wrote the second verse.” -miicah 

“COMAS” opens with an infectious, upbeat rhythm that immediately captures the listener’s attention. The song’s initial energy is both lively and engaging, setting a positive tone that contrasts with the emotional depth of the lyrics. The vocals convey a moving sentiment. The lyric “if my heart could be heard, you’d be dancing from ten miles away,” evokes a sense of longing and vulnerability reminiscent of Boy Pablo’s catchy style.

This track can be described as an earnest love letter, where the speaker’s willingness to commit to everything is palpable. Lines like “if it’s a dream, I don’t want to wake up” illustrate a deep emotional investment and a desire to remain in a blissful state of love, highlighting the song’s idealistic tone. 

Hoppy- “When’s The Last Time”

“When’s The Last Time,” the third single from our debut album, came together quicker than the other songs on the record. The production highlights the smooth melody and building instrumentation that grows throughout the track. This song represents looking inward and being honest with yourself, and it thematically ties the whole album together. “Little While” releases on Sept. 20!” -Hoppy 

“When’s The Last Time” begins with a reflective and evocative lyric: “When’s the last time you fell in love / when’s the last time you said enough?” From the start, this track invites difficult questions that urge us to reflect on our own experiences with love and boundaries.

Musically, the song balances a steady, driving drum beat with minimalistic guitar plucks that give it a sense of forward momentum. A subtle but lingering brass section adds a melancholic feel, almost like a distant memory that lingers in the background. The speaker is searching for something lost or missing, creating a haunting sense of yearning. The song’s ability to make the listener feel as though they are on a personal journey—running towards an elusive answer—is what makes it emotionally resonant. 

RALLY- “Breathe”

“Breathe was a song I had written that stemmed from an experience I had where I exited a pretty harmful relationship and then borrowed my dad’s car to take a solo trip out to the PNW. I was in Oregon at one point chilling on the coastline, listening to the waves crash under a dreary November sky when I realized that though I had been hurt, I wasn’t really alone in my suffering. It just hit me how much support I actually had around me to carry me through this rough patch, I knew I had to come home then, and this song came home with me.” -RALLY 

RALLY’s “Breathe” begins with a mellow electric guitar, immediately creating a calm and atmospheric tone that draws us into a dream-like space. Small chimes drift in and out, adding to the ethereal soundscape before the steady drum beat grounds the track. The instrumentation feels expansive, like standing on the edge of something vast and unknown, making it perfect for moments of wonder.

Lyrically, the line, “I’m in need of a new perspective,” perfectly encapsulates the song’s central theme of seeking clarity and distance from past pain. It mirrors the feeling of looking out into a restless ocean, contemplating life’s bigger questions. One of the standout moments is the final bridge, where an eclectic electric guitar riff breaks through the atmosphere. It follows a stream-of-consciousness flow, almost as if mimicking the wandering thoughts of someone lost in their own mind. It’s a track that invites deep thought, pushing the listener to pause, breathe and reflect on their own experiences. 

Antela- “Shikata Ga Nai”

“The Japanese phrase ‘Shikata Ga Nai’ means ‘it cannot be helped’ or ‘nothing can be done about it.’ We heard this phrase in one of our favorite Japanese animes. It was a night after Connor and Tucker got off a long shift of serving curry at Himalayan Flavor. The phrase gave us a lot to think about…’We instantly hopped into our portable saunas’ Connor said. Tucker added, ‘In that moment, time felt like it stopped. We couldn’t tell if we were going forward or back in time. Or perhaps, just doing what we should, by enjoying the present.’ All we know is that memory is solidified forever as one of the best sauna trips[LH1]  of all time.” -Antela

“Shikata Ga Nai” is an intriguing blend of ethereal soundscapes and experimental instrumentation that immediately sets it apart from other sounds. The song opens with a fascinating, indescribable progression on the keyboard, creating a sense of curiosity and anticipation. These sounds, paired with a backdrop of whirring, submarine-like tones, evoke a surreal atmosphere that feels both otherworldly and submersive. As if you’re drifting underwater through a sea of discovery.

The vocals feel distant and slightly distorted, echoing as if they’re being sung through a portal from another dimension. The subtle distortion enhances the song’s mysterious feel, making it hard to grasp fully, which adds to its allure. The lyrics seem secondary to the instrumental experience. It’s clear that the focus is more on creating an immersive soundscape rather than delivering a narrative or message through words. While this track is not quite psychedelic, it plays with surreal and experimental elements, making it a unique auditory experience that defies simple categorization. 

Internet Lover Boys- “If Not That’s Cool”

“If Not That’s Cool is basically about wanting to be involved romantically with someone even when you know it’s probably not the best idea. Kinda boring haha, but the song more or less wrote itself once we started rolling with that concept.” -Internet Lover Boys 

“If No That’s Cool” starts off with a catchy indie electric guitar riff. The opening riff sets the stage for what becomes a dynamic and lively track, building towards a high-energy chorus that amplifies the intensity with more intricate driving guitar work. The way the guitars layer as the song progresses adds depth to the track, keeping it exciting throughout.

Lyrically, the song has a heartfelt and sentimental tone. The speaker expresses a desire or wish toward a lover but with a sense of understanding and emotional maturity. Lines like “I promise I won’t hold it against you: reveal a considerate side, showing that the speaker is open to whatever outcome, and if things don’t go as hoped, “if not that’s cool.” The Internet Lover Boys have struck a balance between heartfelt lyricism and energetic indie rock, making this song a fun and meaningful listen. 

Melancholy Club, Laughing Matter, Kenver Dolorado- “memo”

“For us, these songs were written to be full band pieces, but in wanting to release something sooner, we got with [the] bands Laughing Matter and Kenver Dolorado to collectively do something more raw. We all stripped songs down to basics and recorded them on our phones. They’re about different hopes and regrets, and being unsure about the future due to troubles in the past in present” -Melancholy Club 

“memo” has a lo-fi, demo-like aesthetic that amplifies its raw, unfiltered emotional power. The muffled quality of the recordings, rather than detracting from the music, adds to the authenticity, making each song feel like an intimate snapshot of vulnerability. A standout track, “hypothetical dad song,” exudes a strong Midwest emo vibe.

The rough, emotive strumming of the acoustic guitar paired with the lyrics, “I’ve had all this time / I’m so afraid that I’ll never work it out,” reflects a deep reflection of unresolved emotions. The guitar's roughness complements the lyrics' sentimentality, making the track feel like a confession: raw and unpolished. It’s this authenticity that makes the EP resonate. 

Wilbere- “My Given Name”

Wilbere’s EP “My Given Name” is a gem of indie rock authenticity. It captures the sessence of youthful romance and the addictive allure of guitars. Listening to this record is equivalent to a carefree afternoon spent in the glow of fleeting high school infatuations, capturing that sweet feelings through every chord.

A standout track “My Given Name”  opens with a folky, bluegrass-inspired banjo that instantly transported me into a serene, natural setting, evoking imagery of running through endless fields. The simplicity and warmth of the banjo create an inviting atmosphere, setting the tone for a song that feels extremely intimate. As the song progresses, it breaks into a full ensemble of instruments, shifting the mood from calm and peaceful to something more expansive and emotionally charged.

Lyrically, this track has a hopeful yet desperate tone, as reflected in the line, “Why’d you leave in a rush, when you cared so much.” This conveys a sense of longing and unresolved emotions. The combination of the folky banjo and the electric guitars creates a contrast between the simplicity of memories and the complexity of present feelings.

Turning the page into page into a new season calls for taking a moment to explore these local gems. Not only do they perfectly capture the essence of SLC’s vibrant music community, they also invite listeners to connect deeply with the emotional layers behind each song. Here’s to discovering new favorites and celebrating the artistic spirit of the city that we love!