It’s that time of year again! Classes have been out for a month, the sun has finally come out, and we’re busy relaxing like it’s our job. Except for those of us with summer jobs or courses, that is. We asked our Demo contributors to share a song that reflects their summer.

Elena Gritzan, 4th year, Psychology and Chemistry

Song: Try to Be

Artist: Blue Hawaii

Album: Untogether

I used to be incredibly bored with summers, a feeling I have eliminated over the years by taking on an increasing number of responsibilities. This is my second year opting to stay in Toronto to work, and while my job certainly takes up the majority of my time and will hopefully be worth its while in terms of experience, when I think about my summer, I think instead about the scores of bands I will see, the afternoon walks I will take, and the laughter-filled parties I will attend. And the articles I will write. The theme of this summer seems to be staying true to that passion and figuring out how to be myself as graduation looms closer.

Blue Hawaii’s Untogether came out a couple of months ago now, but it easily remains one of my favourite things released this year and is in constant rotation. The album itself is achingly beautiful in parts, amazingly hypnotic in others, and all filled with emotionally vulnerable lyrics. In this song, the narrator realizes that the best strategy in life is to just be yourself. That’s something I hope to keep in the back of my head throughout the next four months.

I want to make the most of my summer. I want to learn as much as I can, make the most of every opportunity, and experience a whole host of new things. And if I can do all that with Blue Hawaii serenading me in the background, all the better.