Hey friends! I’m beyond excited to finally share what I’ve been working on for months – my brand new summer album, “Summer State of Mind,” releasing May 18, 2026!
Living the California Dream
As someone who calls California home, I’m constantly reminded of how lucky I am to live in the sunshine state. Forty minutes to the mountains, thirty minutes to the beach, ninety to the desert – we literally have it all. The weather is mostly always perfect (not scorching like Arizona, not humid like Florida), and the sun sets at a reasonable hour (looking at you, Idaho with your 10pm sunsets!). This California lifestyle inspired so much of this album, and I couldn’t wait to capture that golden state magic in music.
Summer Music for Summer 2026
“Summer State of Mind” is my love letter to everything summer – from floating in the pool with a cold drink to those magical golden hour sunsets over the Pacific, from Fourth of July celebrations to bittersweet end-of-summer goodbyes, from surviving triple-digit heat to finding romance in the blaze. This album has 13 tracks that take you on a complete summer journey, and I’m so proud of how it turned out.
But let me tell you – getting here wasn’t easy! I wrote, rewrote, edited, and omitted SO many songs. Some just didn’t fit the summer vibe I was going for, no matter how much I loved them. There were comedy songs that felt too forced, slow ballads that dragged the energy down, and upbeat tracks that just didn’t capture the feeling I wanted. The songs that made the final cut? They’re the ones that gave me chills every single time I listened back.
The Best Part? America!
One of my favorite parts of this album is the celebration of America woven throughout. We’re releasing just in time for Memorial Day weekend, and tracks like “Red White and Pool,” “250 Years Strong,” and “God Bless America” are my tribute to this incredible country. In 2026, we’re celebrating 250 years of American independence – that’s huge! I wanted to honor that milestone with music that captures both the party spirit and the deeper gratitude I feel for living in the land of the free.
Summer Activities, Summer Vibes
This album covers all the classic summer activities we love – pool parties, beach bonfires, BBQs with friends and family, driving with the windows down, those perfect sunset moments, and yes, even the universal struggle of trying not to get your hair wet at the pool (if you know, you know!).
Whether you’re looking for upbeat EDM tracks to blast at your Fourth of July party (“Red White and Pool” and “BBQ State of Mind” are high-energy dance anthems!), romantic slow jams for beach bonfires (“Summer Romance,” “The One That Got Away”), or nostalgic reflections on summers past (“Put On That Summer Song,” “When Summer Ends”), this album has something for every summer mood.
Relisten After Relisten
I’ve listened to this album SO many times – not just during production, but afterward, testing the flow, making sure the energy builds and dips at the right moments, ensuring that each song transitions smoothly into the next. I’ve listened to it while driving down the coast, while floating in my pool, during sunset walks, and late at night when the nostalgia hits. Every single time, I feel something. And that’s what I want for you, too.
I made this album for people who love summer as much as I do. For people who get emotional when September rolls around. For people who understand that summer isn’t just a season – it’s a feeling, a state of mind, a way of living.
What’s Coming
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be breaking down each song on the album – the stories behind them, what inspired them, and why they made the final cut. I’ll share behind-the-scenes moments from the songwriting process, the creative decisions that shaped this project, and the journey from idea to finished track.
“Summer State of Mind” drops Monday, May 18th, 2026 – perfectly timed to hit Release Radar and kick off the unofficial start of summer! It’ll be available on all streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and more).
Make sure to FOLLOW me on your streaming platform so you’ll see it the moment it drops! That way, my new music will always show up in your feed when I release something new.
I can’t wait for you to hear it. This is the soundtrack to Summer 2026, and I hope it becomes part of your summer memories too.
What are your favorite summer activities? What songs are on your summer playlist? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear from you! And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @TheMelanieGrace for behind-the-scenes content, and sign up for my email list on my website to get exclusive updates and early access to new releases!
See you poolside, Melanie Grace
