Summer Mixtape

Last updated
Summer Mixtape
Summer Mixtape album cover.png
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 16, 2022
Genre
Length29:17
Label TOO Records
Producer
The Driver Era chronology
Girlfriend
(2021)
Summer Mixtape
(2022)
Live at the Greek
(2023)
Singles from Summer Mixtape
  1. "Keep Moving Forward"
    Released: June 30, 2022
  2. "Malibu"
    Released: July 28, 2022
  3. "Fantasy"
    Released: July 21, 2023

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]

Contents

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 will embark on another tour, X Girlfriend Tour, [5] which is set to start on September 14, 2024, and end 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 Girlfriend,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 4, 2022, The Driver Era announced their third studio album, titled Summer Mixtape, which was released on September 16, 2022. [10] "Fantasy" was released as the third and final single, on July 21, 2023. [11]

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". [12]

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". [13]

Track listing

All tracks are written and produced by Ross Lynch and Rocky Lynch, except where noted.

Summer Mixtape – Standard edition track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Malibu"
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Ross Lynch
  • Griff Clawson
2:47
2."Turn The Music Up"  3:16
3."I Got You, You Got Me"  1:24
4."Like A King"  2:13
5."Fantasy"  3:19
6."The Money"  2:48
7."Bronco"  2:27
8."Back To You"  2:02
9."Be Happening"  3:26
10."Endlessly"  2:14
11."Keep Moving Forward" (featuring Nikka Costa)
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Ross Lynch
  • Nikka Costa
 3:16
Total length:29:17
Summer Mixtape – Japanese Special Edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
12."Natural" (Live)
  • Ross Lynch
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Morgan Reid
3:09
13."San Francisco" (Live)
  • Ross Lynch
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Ratliff
  • Reid
 4:00
14."I Love Japan" (Instrumental)   
Total length:36:26

Notes

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes. [14]

The Driver Era

Release history

Summer Mixtape release history
RegionDateFormat(s)LabelRef.
VariousSeptember 16, 2022TOO Records [15]
JapanCD [16]

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References

  1. Paper Magazine (October 16, 2021). "The Driver Era's Track-by-Track Breakdown of 'Girlfriend'". Paper Magazine . Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  2. THE DRIVER ERA - Summer Mixtape Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic , retrieved July 18, 2024
  3. Smith, Carl (July 26, 2022). "The Driver Era return with Malibu: First listen to Rocky and Ross Lynch's breezy summer single". Official Charts Company . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  4. Jacobs, Dana (August 21, 2022). "The Driver Era Bring Endless Summer Vibes on 2022 US Tour". Beyond the Stage. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  5. Forrest, Jo (May 17, 2024). "THE DRIVER ERA announce 'X Girlfriend' Tour". Total Entertainment. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  6. Stickler, Jon (May 13, 2024). "The Driver Era Confirm Autumn UK And European Leg Of X Girlfriend Tour". Stereo Board. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  7. Wescott, Andrew (May 13, 2024). "The Driver Era Have Announced UK and European 'X Girlfriend Tour' Dates". Dork . Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  8. 1 2 Mier, Tomás (July 7, 2022). "The Driver Era Are Holding Onto Some Real 'Eclectic' Music as They Drop 'Keep Moving Forward'" . Rolling Stone . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  9. Taylor, Sam (July 28, 2024). "The Driver Era Are Back With Summery New Single, 'Malibu'". Dork . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  10. Gomez, Jade (September 21, 2022). "The Driver Era Embrace Their Freedom on 'Summer Mixtape'". Paper Magazine . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  11. Holden, Finlay (September 19, 2022). "The Driver Era Release Music Video For 'Fantasy', A Cut From Their Vibrant 'Summer Mixtape'". Dork . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  12. Siroky, Mary (September 16, 2022). "The Driver Era Break Down New Album Summer Mixtape Track by Track: Exclusive". Consequence . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  13. Avila, Daniela (September 16, 2022). "The Driver Era Talks Touring, Long Distance Relationships, Going Shirtless and 'Summer Mixtape'". People . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  14. Summer Mixtape (Booklet). United States: TOO Records. 2022. 5056032366930.
  15. Summer Mixtape release formats:
  16. Summer Mixtape (Special Edition) release formats: