Summer so hot - acoustic Review
As a surprise for listeners, Upsahl released “Summer so Hot - Acoustic” on August 2, 2024. This single is the stripped-down version of her most recent release, “Summer so Hot.”
Opening the song with feathery vocals and twinkling guitar, Upsahl immediately has listeners falling in love. The intro creates an effect that sounds like the music is transferring from one ear to the other then back again when listening with headphones, scratching just the right part of the brain.
Speeding things up for the first verse, listeners are transported to a calm summer night sitting around a campfire. The palm muting of the guitar strings mixed with the staccato strumming of the chords adds a groovy vibe that makes listeners want to bob their heads along with the music. A beat like this created from only a guitar is something that requires a great deal of artistry and skill; not just anyone is able to pull it off.
Exploring themes of sexuality and the lack of necessity for labels, the lyrics dive into some fun beyond just sitting around a campfire. Though all of the lyrics are the same as the original release, the acoustic version of the song provides a more intimate feel. With lines such as “All the boys are fun, and all the girls got me coming back for more” broken up suggestively, not much is left to the imagination. The lyrics are direct yet vulnerable, and this allows listeners to find at least part of the song that they can relate to.
Tying the whole song together with twinkling guitar parts in the bridge similar to those in the intro, listeners are transported to a different summer scene. Now, it feels like sitting under the stars, looking up at the sky and trying to find the constellations. To paint pictures of both campfire and starry night scenes while simultaneously interweaving lyrics that hit close to home for many takes some serious talent, and Upsahl does it effortlessly. While the original release is the perfect poolside anthem, this stripped-down version will definitely become a go-to for laid-back late nights.
Summer isn’t over yet, so there’s still time to add this new release to all of your last-minute vacation playlists. Congratulations to Upsahl on another fantastic release, and here’s to anxiously awaiting many more.
