The beauty of boiler rooms exists in spite of the insipid, and frankly, disgusting conditions of the space itself. The beauty of Boiler Room, is that really, it can be created anywhere, can't it? It's a dingy, industrial space that defies all science—heat doesn't rise, but wraps like a damp blanket around you—and social conventions, where the DJ is within our eyeline, and frenetic, atmospheric beats aren't just something you hear, but also feel.
While we might not be on the ground floor in Ibiza, watching Charli xcx freak out as The Dare plays "Stress" by Justice, with the right music, we can cultivate this vibe, right here in UCity. Luckily for us, the perfect boiler room setup exists: frat basements. A world where frats axe the tired "Pepas" and in its stead, play an inspired mix of Snow Strippers to "Get it Sexyy—Bass Boosted," is my utopia. (The lack of rap at frats is an entirely different bone to pick). Street's contribution—if frats ever want to release the rotation of same three songs back to the early aughts—is our ultimate boiler room set, from mainstream hits for the masses to niche hyperpop.
— Hannah Sung, Features Editor
"Alter Ego (with JT)" — Doechii
If you've ever dreamt of a world where you could listen to "212" again for the first time, "Alter Ego" is the song for you. Doechii's recent drop with JT was first teased last spring, and it was worth the wait. "Unfazed, unbothered / Unfuckwitable bitch, why bother?" Enough said.
- Kate Ratner, Assignments Editor
"Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl" — Chappell Roan
In the wise words of reverend mother Chappell Roan: "Can you play a song with a fucking beat?" If you want to feel like you've been transported to the dance floor of the '80s clubs your hot urban studies professor probably frequented, then it's time to queue up "Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl."
- Natalia Castillo, Editor–in–Chief
"Pull Over" — Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
"Pull over!" Zendaya marches out of the car to a pulsing techno beat into the night, the whirlwind of paper scraps and dissonant feelings surrounding her. "Hey! Your hotel's that way!" Zendaya pauses. The synth chords kick in. She turns back towards the car and to Josh O'Connor, their faces bathed in red by the taillights—the color of passion, danger, and forbidden love. Now just imagine if frat parties could feel like this.
- Jake Falconer, Music Beat
"Friesenjung" — Ski Aggu, Joost, & Otto Waalkes
Germany was the birthplace of techno music, and they remain at the top of the electronic game. From its opening chipmunked vocals, "Friesenjung" transports you away from the hot, crowded frat basements of Philadelphia to the rolling pastures of East Friesland, where life consists of drinking beer, listening to Crazy Frog, and then drinking more beer (at least, if this song is to be trusted). What more could one ask for?
- Nishanth Bhargava, Music Editor
"Club classics" — Charli xcx
Amid the highs of Brat Summer, we've let a girl who's been there since the beginning slip through our fingers. "Club classics" is almost a directive—tell your crossed econ classmate–turned–student–DJ when you go to the club, you wanna hear those club classics. Bonus points if they're able to mix this song with something from the Challengers score.
- Diamy Wang, Staff Writer
"HEAT" — Tove Lo & SG Lewis
Close your eyes. Think about an avant–garde international pop artist who made mainstream hits in the 2010s, teaming up with another veteran pop producer this summer. You're not picturing Tove Lo and SG Lewis? Shame on you. Only will hearing the entirety of the "HEAT" EP cure you of Euro summer club withdrawals.
- Hannah Sung, Features Editor
"Nightmusic" — Grimes and Majical Cloudz
Semi–controversial, but who's going to be brave enough to play Grimes? Is it you, [insert frat]? I could be posted up at a late night, SABS–reading The Communist Manifesto whilst the comp lit ethereal bicurious DFMOs with the PPE man who similarly wants to experiment, but with girls who won't make money later on in life (let's call him buy–curious). On the perfect amount of substances, this could be beautiful; otherwise, be warned.
- Anonymous
"The Baddest (Badder) [feat. Ayesha Erotica]" — Joey Valence & Brae, Ayesha Erotica
LET’S GO. LET’S GO. LET’S GO. HANDS UP! Okayyyy HANDS UP! I’M THE BADDEST BITCH IN THIS CLUB. WHO’S THE BADDEST BITCH IN THIS CLUB???? I’M THE BADDEST BITCH IN THIS CLUB!!!!!!!!! Do we need to say more?
- Catherine Sorrentino, Print Editor
"JOYRIDE" — Kesha
Kesha's first release as an independent artist is, for lack of a better term, a joyride. Zany, whimsical, and full of frantic energy, Kesha's comeback will hit when you're on your third can of cheap beer from questionable sources, or looking to get a little frisky with that girl from your finance class.
- Derek Wong, Staff Writer
"She's Gone, Dance On" — Disclosure
If there's anything to be learned from this summer, it's the sovereignty of electro–pop. Brothers Howard and Guy Lawrence and their latest release are only a taste of the revolution. But alas, the glory of August fades into first semester. You've found yourself in the basement of some indiscriminate frat, no sunshine in sight, and a fragment of better days blares at an impenetrable volume around you. What else can be done but … dance on?
- Sophia Mirabal, Music Writer
"Welcome To My Island (George Daniel & Charli XCX Remix) — Caroline Polachek
If you're a Wharton girlfriend with an LSM boyfriend and you relate to the proclamation: "We're always showering each other in expensive gifts / I put the two–tone Cartier on his wrist," then this Charli xcx remix of Caroline Polachek's iconic song is just what you need. Here at Street, we like to think that sometimes the remix is just better than the original, but who are we to make such a bold statement?
- Natalia Castillo, Editor–in–Chief
"Tangles in my hair" — Cowgirl Clue
A select few at Penn know that the hottest, stinkiest club in Center City is First Unitarian Church. It's quite reminiscent of that of a frat. Sticky floors, bumping bodies, low ceilings. Except for one major caveat: Does [insert frat] play Vada Vada hyperpop? There's something beautiful and sororal about Texan hypnagogic pop that only one Cowgirl Clue can deliver.
- Hannah Sung, Features Editor
Honorable Mentions
"New Bottega" — Toreen Foot, Azealia Banks
"360" — Charli XCX
"Best to You" — Blood Orange
"Neverender" — Justice, Tame Impala
"mute" — Shygirl
