Although hints of autumn are already popping up across North Carolina, there is still some time to absorb those last few shreds of summer before they fade into fall. My recommendation: Grab a blanket and your computer, find a sun-soaked morsel of land outside Lake Mary Nell and pop in any of these three sunny albums. You'll be glad you did.

"Gossamer," Passion Pit

Great news for those seeking some solid musical revelry: The masters of danceable synth pop have done it again, and with even more merriment this time around. The group's sophomore album affirms that growing older and becoming more musically mature doesn't mean your sound has to be any less euphoric or ambitious. The album hints at some pretty tough growing pains, and yet it still makes you want to call up your friends and paint the town with glow sticks and sick dance moves. If I have to grow up, I hope getting older sounds like this album.

"Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Your Anger," River City Extension

It didn't take long for this contagious, honest album to win me over. For the musically faint of heart, prepare yourselves. There is a lot going on in this album, both musically and conceptually. Yet, somehow, the eight-piece group manages to masterfully weave a lyrical fabric of brooding pain and amassed joy into a solid collection of 14 infectious tracks. With instruments ranging from the mellophone to the cello and everything in between, the refreshing complexity of "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Your Anger" is a perfect accompaniment to the waning days of summer.

"The Only Place," Best Coast

If I had to choose a single album that encapsulates Summer 2012, I'd be hard-pressed to find a better choice than this sunny album from Best Coast. The band's signature lo-fi sound still lingers on this album, but the duo has traded the mania of fuzzed out amps and vocal filters for a much smoother '50s-esque vibe on many tracks. But even with this cleaner sound, the band hasn't lost its penchant for crafting simplistic pop gems. If you need any motivation for a last-minute jaunt to the beach, take a listen to "The Only Place." The lure will be undeniable.

The Beat is a weekly music blog produced and written by contributor Jenna Strucko.