10 Best Rock Music Album Openers Of The 2020s So Far
8. Black Summer - Unlimited Love (Red Hot Chilli Peppers)
In 2022, the Red Hot Chili Peppers released their first song in 16 years to feature former guitarist John Frusciante, who had quit the band in 2009. To say thanks for coming back, the band gave him a killer guitar solo to get his chops around, which is precisely what he did.
Black Summer served as the first single and opening track for Unlimited Love, the group's 12th studio album, and begins at a snail's pace. Over the top of a simple, clean riff, Anthony Kiedis sings about sailors, lazy rain, and China being on the Moon.
Fairly standard Chilis nonsense, then.
As the song hits its chorus, it steps up a gear. This is where Frusciante's solo comes in, reminding everyone that he hadn't lost a step as the rest of band accompany him beautifully.
Despite sounding a little croaky, Kiedis' voice also holds up. The tune was clearly written to fit his altering vocal style, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
They might not be in their prime anymore, but the Chilis still have plenty of bangers left to offer.