In The Heights: A Great Summer Listen

 When the lights come up on this show, we are brought to a whole new world. One full of stress, love, and bills to pay. One about family, friends, and dreams. When "In The Heights" begins summer is starting with it, and as the show progresses the season plays out with the whole story. The whole narrative spans just one season, and yet has so much in it. But today is not about the story, today we are not deep diving into the show itself, but rather its music. Today I am speaking strictly of the songs from "In The Heights" and why this show encapsulates summer so well, that I listen to it every season. Every time the weather gets hot and this season rolls around, I find myself listening to this show at least four times over, as well as plenty of the songs from it on their own, or big pieces of it. This soundtrack fits summer so incredibly well, that I associate the musical with the season itself, that is topic for today, and here is why. 

As I or anyone who decides to listen to either the movie album, or the cast album, I go back and fourth between them both, you are greeted for the reason for this post as early as the opening number. The show begins with detailing the summer heat, a common theme mentioned by many characters throughout the entire narrative. Many of them comment on the heat and how to deal with it, whether it is cranking the air conditioning or perhaps some shaved ice. The story is rich with culture and represents its location well, for someone who had never been to Washington Heights, this show through the music alone transports you there in the blink of an eye. 

The setting of this show, the environment, and world is so well established that you feel what the characters are feeling not just emotion wise. All of them mention the summer weather and it paints a picture of how they spent summers here, and plan to do so here. This show has so many upbeat songs, that are a great way to spend a hot summer day. The visuals of the show and movie also lead to the setting so much so that when I close my eyes, I feel like I am in the moment that is being described. 

The score and lyrics are fun listens for long car rides, from the big group numbers, to the high energy moments, to the sweeping ballads. This show has range and fills the air with music so strongly from the first note to the final song. Whether the Broadway cast or the movie, which have differences and great performances in both, these songs are amazing. I find myself going back and fourth between both versions whether for instrumentation, style, performance or to hear more songs, sometimes less. This show has so much fun, and so much heart packed into the music.

This show has going to the club, summer romances, rekindling love, dreaming, and trying to escape ones current environment. Showing how even with the change of the seasons, people still dream, fall in love, and are a part of a community. Showing how they can come together, with friends and family, things that come natural to the summer season. You hear of family tradition, family legacy, love, and so much more.  

The summer setting for this for me, is like watching a Christmas movie in December, it just reminds me of the season, and enhances it. Having something that embodies so much through music, is really amazing, from coming home, to trying to go somewhere new. This is not about the plot, or story, that is for another time, purely this about the music. And no matter your opinion on this show, one can agree that the music is spectacular. This show is something I find myself listen to countless times every summer as a tradition, that has such relatable moments and emotions. 

The music of " In The Heights" is something I highly recommend, before a production or even the movie, it stands so strongly on its own. Leaving a great impression on those listening, with songs that stay with me long after the leaves change.