If summer had a soundtrack, Piper Cooke would have it on repeat. In her latest playlist, she captures the kind of days that just feel easy: waking up at a friend’s house without groginess, hopping in a car and just letting the day unfold — cafes, picnics at the Arb and laughter. “Boom,” she says, recounting her perfect summer day. Each little moment is filled with the kind of excitement only someone who really loves summer, and the friends who come with it, could feel.
Cooke’s playlist is not limited to any particular genre, although she holds a special place for R&B music. She credits SZA’s “CTRL” with shaping her musical identity, joking that without it, she’d be stuck like a Pokémon stuck in evolution.
“I remember my introduction to SZA at a pool party in sixth grade,” Cooke said. “I was like, what is this song? What is this song I need to hear?”
From there, she’s curated a list that feels personal, layered, and full of stories. You’ll find Teedra Moses’ “Be Your Girl,” Brent Faiyaz, Isaiah Rashad, and even some unreleased Frank Ocean sprinkled in like hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
One of the sweetest moments she shares is about a song by KAYTRANDA, “Promises,” which she loves to belt out in her car, even though she admits she can’t sing. The song reminds her of a trip in Chicago, listening along with her friends in a Dunkin’ drive-through. Cooke’s summer playlist goes beyond the music and holds memories.
She also reflects on the foundation of her musical taste: family.
“I grew up in a bass-boosted minivan,” Cooke said.
Cooke nods to the mix of influences her brothers and mom gave her, from Shoreline Mafia and Polo G to the tracks her mother loved. That eclectic mix of old-school and new, fun and soulful, shapes every track she picks.
And while some playlists get cozy in the fall or dive into introspection in winter, Cooke’s summer playlist is pure joy. Smino, Cruza, Daniel Caesar, Doechii, they’re all here, bouncing alongside lyrics that are cute, experimental or just plain fun. As she puts it, summer is when the music gets turned up, the windows go down, and the moments—those “boom” moments—happen in real life.
So if you want to hear what a sun-soaked summer feels like through someone else’s ears, Piper Cooke’s playlist is essential for your next beach trip. Just make sure your car has a good bass.
