Tanlines made us a playlist for a rainy day at the beach

South by Southwest Music and Media Conference | The band's name says it all: warm, globally informed dance pop built on textured synths and pulsing rhythms. Consider it a good use of all — Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Jese Cohen and Eric Emm, the duo who record their unique brand of synth-pop under the moniker Tanlines, dropped their sophomore collection, Highlights, Tuesday via True Panther Sounds. Brimming with ’80s electronics, it bounces along like a summer day, but somewhere in the pause you get a peek at its dark edges. So when we asked for a playlist, that Cohen made us a mix for a rainy day at the beach couldn’t have been more appropriate. (Something tells us he knew what he was doing.) Herewith, his picks.

Beach Boys, “Feel Flows”

“When I was a kid, the Beach Boys were my favorite band. I only liked the fast songs about surfing and cars and I hated the slow songs. Now, I’m the opposite. I love the slow songs. This is from a late Beach Boys album called Surf’s Up and it’s very dark and very beautiful.”

Groove Theory, “Tell Me”

“On a recent episode of my podcast, I spoke with Kelela, who mentioned how much she loved Amel Larrieux. This is probably her most famous song with Groove Theory and it’s great.”

Lower Dens, “To Die in LA”

“We recorded a lot of our new album Highlights in Los Angeles, and it’s a city that we’ve really grown to love. Lower Dens are from Baltimore and I don’t know how they feel about Los Angeles, but this song’s got a good vibe.”

Garnett Silk, “Love is the Answer”

“When I was in college, I worked at a used cd store and I would discover lots of great music based on what people where selling or exchanging. One day, someone brought in an album by Tony Rebel, a Jamaican DJ and Garnett Silk, a singer. Silk’s voice is amazing and this is a good example of one of his love songs.”

Ronnie Spector (with the E Street Band), “Say Goodbye to Hollywood”

“Sax on sax on sax. I don’t know the story behind how Ronnie Spector and the E Street Band came together to do a cover of this Billy Joel song, but I’m sure it’s a good one.”

Womack & Womack, “Teardrops”

“I think this song was a much bigger hit in the UK and Europe and has since been covered by Elton John and the xx and many more. The original is fantastic and please watch the video on YouTube.”

Empress Of, “Tristeza”

“I don’t know a whole lot about Empress Of and I can’t describe what is going on in this song, but it is very unique, beautiful, and catchy. That’s one of the best combinations that I can think of.”

Diana Ross, “Love Hangover”

“The ultimate slow burn dance jam that is also really chill and just a good vibe for the later part of the day when the sun is going down and you’ve given up on the weather getting better and maybe you’ll just sit on a screened in porch drinking a couple beers.”

Shade Sheist, “Where I Wanna Be”

“Smooth West Coast rap that’s not even from the ’90s. I don’t know anything about Shade Shiest, so I went to Wikipedia and learned that he once worked with Biggie Smalls…the other Biggie Smalls—the one who sued the Notorious BIG so he had to change his name.”

Lenny Kravitz, “Stand By My Woman”

“When I was in Buenos Aires last year, I noticed that a lot of cab drivers listen to this amazing classic rock station called Aspen FM. “Classic Rock” down there is apparently a loose term that includes both Bjork and this great Lenny Kravitz ballad from his first album.”

The duo are currently on tour, a full list of upcoming dates is below:

06/26: Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls

06/27: Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop

06/28: Ferndale, MI @ The Loving Touch

06/30: Covington, KY @ Madison Live

07/01: St. Louis, MO @ Firebird

07/02: Lincoln, NE @ Vega

07/03: Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge

07/05: Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge

07/07: Vancouver, BC @ Electric Owl

07/08: Seattle, WA @ Neumos

07/09: Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios