Miley Cyrus was nothing short of a pop juggernaut in the 2010s, but even the mighty fall some day. Cyrus tried to recapture the essence of her hits in Bass Persuades but failed to put lightning back in the bottle, creating an album that feels stuck in 2015 — and not in a nostalgic way.
Despite fall’s recognizable chilly breeze coming back — strongly might I add — a couple of our writers still have words to say on music that stuck with them this past summer. Let’s reflect one final time before everyone gets their scarves and gloves out. The Stony Brook Press presents part two of 2026’s Songs of the Summer.
Whether our writers were dancing under clear skies, sipping refreshing drinks or crying tears of joy or sadness, all types of music stuck with us. We’ve picked the best of the bunch.
LUCA learned five days before showtime that he’d be performing at one of New York City’s most famous jazz venues. Five days was all he needed.
LP1 does it all right. It’s the shoulder you cry on, but the one that hits your back a little too hard when you’re having a coughing fit. To truly understand what makes LP1 stand out, though, you have to understand emo music.
“Go to shows, just go to shows.” Steven Guerrera, drummer and producer of Out To Lunch, a local rock band, urged. “It’s crazy how much you learn about the community. When we first started, I thought, ‘There’s no scene on Long Island,’ but then you realize there are 20 bands just in your radius.”
The long-awaited Oasis reunion — and their puzzling new success in the U.S. — also hints at a broader cultural revival given the resurgence of ‘90s Britpop fashion. Think bucket hats, parkas, head to toe Adidas and cigarettes as accessories. Today, some know the casual, post-grunge style as blokecore.
Graphic by Antonio Mochmann As we embrace the new year, we’ve been feeling wistful. With the trees bare and the temperatures near freezing, it’s hard not to reflect on our warm summers. Some of The Press’ staff are cleaning up…
I stood in the dark backyard, waiting for the concert to begin as a blue glow poured from the open basement door. Regardless of how nervous I was, the warmth of the basement was inviting on such a cold evening. Plus, the friendliness of the strangers around me made me excited to descend into the concert with them.