If you like the thought of cruising down a Californian beach in a dune buggy – wind in hair, sunscreen on skin, surfboard in arms – on a hot summer day in the 1960s, “Paper Hearts” by The Airplanes just may produce the sunny and nostalgic West Coast vibes you’re looking for. Catchy vocals dance around in the background of the track, as an upsurge of guitars drift in and out, as if they were surfing by. The drums aren’t just moving; they’re running playfully, emphasizing the spirited nature of the song. By blending together catchy background vocals with the twangy guitar sounds of ’60s beach-driven pop, songwriter Joshua Vest modernizes the Beach Boys’ surf-rock vibe, incorporating his personal flare along the way.
