Weather alert: It’s another scorcher in Texas.

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably tired of being cooked in 100-plus degrees and are already dreaming of a cool fall breeze to sweep in and bring some much-needed relief from the summer sun. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There are still plenty of blistering weeks ahead of us before we swap out our swimsuits for sweaters.

In the meantime, here’s a musical remedy to our temperature woes. It’s our newest Spire on Spotify playlist called Vol. 46: Beats 2 Beat the Heat. You’ll soak up the coldest beats I know, filled with frigid hits from a mix of genres like lofi, neo soul, r&b, pop, alternative, and even reggae. Think sonic therapy, somewhere between a sound bath and an ice bath, to help your brain from overheating.

Because it’s time to chill out, and not just outside.

Luke, what is the name of your album?

Beats 2 Beat the Heat – and it delivers. I dove deep into my musical reservoir in search of the coldest mixes and chill-est vibes to help revive us from the record-setting heat of Texas summers. This is what you play while your AC is struggling to stay alive, or you’re sitting by the pool sipping whatever’s on ice. Wherever you stay cool, take this one with you.

How would you describe this mix?

Imagine a snow cone with a bit of every flavor mixed in. It’s always served ice cold, but you never know what the next bite might hold. There’s bold beats, tasty melodies, and savory sonic waves. I added dashes of flavor from the genres of music I love most, and sampled beats that were largely unknown to keep things fresh. Hopefully, this playlist encourages you to explore more music before the summer sun has set.

What was the inspiration behind it?

I’ve lived in the south my whole life. You’d think at this point I would be used to the heat. But something about growing up in a place where you can cook an egg on the sidewalk makes you appreciate those moments where a chill vibe can help interrupt you from sudden spontaneous combustion. Mostly, I just wanted to compile a playlist of the music that I love, where the beats, and even the song titles, were mixed with the vibe of ice cold.

What is your favorite song, and why?

“November Has Come” by Gorillaz (ft. MF DOOM). This song features a collaboration between two of my favorite artists—a fortunate meeting of the minds in avant-garde hip-hop. Gorillaz’ Damon Albarn delivers his subtle vocals over a grinding, glitchy, and iconic trip-hop beat produced by legend Danger Mouse. Then, the late MF DOOM contributes his grimy-meets-poetic style of rap with several poetic verses laid smoothly over top, creating a frigid blend of hip-hop brilliance that is rare to behold. I might be biased, but it’s a banger.

If your playlist was a brand, what would it be and why?

Bahama Buck’s is the brand that immediately comes to mind. Started by Lubbock native, Blake Buchanan, the self-proclaimed “Greatest Sno on Earth” has been serving snow cones, ice cream, and other timely frozen treats since 1990. In their own words, “We believe life should be flavorful, and at Bahama Buck’s, our purpose is to Flavor Your Life. We want you to recharge, refresh, and create remarkable memories with us.” I can’t think of a better brand to help beat the heat.

Any specific memory that comes to mind when you listen?

Growing up, I spent a lot of time outside. We had a big park by our home, and I used to go there with my friends to hang out and play sports. But, during the summer months it was almost unbearable without a cooler of ice-cold supplies to keep us chill. Sitting under the shade of a tree, eating Bomb Pops, and listening to music in between games are some of my fondest childhood memories. This playlist brings back all those chill feelings.

What makes your playlist unique?

Despite covering cool tracks across a variety of genres, one constant throughout my playlist is the emphasis on rhythm. I wanted the beats to stand out. Whining guitars, layered vocals, and atmosphere production are a nice complement to these tracks, but nothing elevates each song, or the entire playlist, quite like the bumping of a bass drum or the punch of the snare. Like the seasons, the rhythm of music is a force that separates the good from the great and helps drive the art form forward.

Thanks for that meteorological mix, Luke. Stay tuned to the Spire Blog and Spotify Channel for the sun to come up on our next agency playlist.

Luke Bryant is a Senior Account Executive at Spire, and an Ad 2 Dallas “32 Under 32” recipient.