Summer Mixtape is the third studio album from American music duo the Driver Era, released on September 16, 2022, by TOO Records. It serves as a follow up to their sophomore studio album, Girlfriend, released in 2021.[1]
The album was promoted by the release of three singles: "Keep Moving Forward", which features American singer Nikka Costa, along with "Malibu" and "Fantasy".[2][3]
The band embarked on a concert tour, Live On Tour '22, to promote the new songs. The tour ran for 57 cities across the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.[4]
To further promote the album, as well as the band's discography the band embarked on another tour, X Girlfriend Tour,[5] which started on September 14, 2024, and ended on October 27, 2024,[6] across Europe, and consiste of a total of 25 shows.[7]
Background and promotion
The new music is eclectic [...] Honestly it’s a vulnerable thing releasing music. It doesn’t always feel great to be honest. But I like the music and I try to remember that at the end of the day it’s for the people that love it and if you don’t I don’t care.
– Ross Lynch on developing Summer Mixtape,via interview for Rolling Stone.[8]
On June 30, 2022, The Driver Era released a new song, "Keep Moving Forward" featuring Nikka Costa, which served as the lead single for the then-upcoming album.[8] "Malibu" was released on July 28, 2022, as the second single.[9] On August 5, 2022, the band announced their third album, and released the music video for "Malibu".[10]
On August 4, 2022, The Driver Era announced their third studio album, which was released on September 16, 2022.[11] "Fantasy" was released as the third and final single from the album, on July 21, 2023.[12]
Critical reception
The album was met with positive reviews from critics. For Consequence, Mary Siroky wrote that the album was a "pleasantly hazy, indulgent, and sun-soaked listen" and that, because it was self-produced by the band, it gave them "space to experiment and play".[13]
Writing for People, Daniela Avila stated that, unlike the indie approach of The Driver Era's previous record, Girlfriend, the band created the album with good vibes in mind, which made it "the perfect feel-good summer album".[14]
Writing for the Official Charts Company, Carl Smith called the single "Malibu" a "delicious slice of summer from the outset", while noting its "exquisite funk guitar and dreamy echoes". He finished by saying the single marks a stylish departure from the band's previous works, but that it a "carefree piece of pop escapism" that encapsulates a pure sunshine.[3] V Magazine noted that the song features a "groovy dance" sound, that's different from the rest of songs on the album. Writing about the album, Summer Mixtape, the magazine thought that it "curate the sunny, carefree summer vibe they envisioned for their next era".[15]
Track listing
All tracks are written and produced by Ross Lynch and Rocky Lynch, except where noted.
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