Summer Is All About the Music: Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month with mHart, Texas’s First and Only Asian American Record Label
There are only two things that matter when the temperature breaks 90°F: where the functions are and what music is going to be played at them. For over a year now, there has been a growing online discussion about why there’s no real “song of the summer” anymore. In 2024, we were gifted “360” by Charli xcx, the track that defined BRAT Summer. Last year, we were introduced to the sensation “Midnight Sun” by Zara Larsson, but it wasn’t released until August 2025, a time most would consider the cusp of summer and autumn. By then, the peak summer buzz had already subsided; the song is still widely recognized as the anthem of summer 2025.
This annual pattern of one great hit that becomes the theme song of the hottest season of the year has seemingly stopped with 2025. The absence of summer 2026’s song begs the question: what will be this year’s song of the summer? Well, I nominate not one, but three bangers by female, Austin-based, Asian American artists that I know deserve a chance at the spot.
“as opposed to what” - francene rouelle
Press photo by @tylahblaize on IG
“Writing this album has really been about combining practice, creativity, and consistency—and ‘as opposed to what’ is another product of that formula.”
Filipina American singer‑songwriter Francene Rouelle released her newest single, “as opposed to what,” on May 1st, 2026. Setting the tone of summer with a poppy, two‑and‑a‑half‑minute song, “as opposed to what” delves into the “emotional tension that arises when past relationships or habits reappear just as you’ve begun to move on.” Even though summer is the season of fun, being free, and letting go, I’m sure a lot of us are feeling that tug for that one person or thing that we simply can’t seem to escape from. There are so many complexities when it comes to how putting yourself first can oftentimes be the only option in order to move on. As shared in her press release, “The track explores the difficult reality that choosing yourself can sometimes mean becoming the ‘villain’ in someone else’s story, even when it is the healthiest decision you can make.”
This is the second single from Francene Rouelle’s upcoming sophomore album, which is set to release in September 2026. Keep an eye out for the album, and stream “as opposed to what”!
“DIMENSION” - allie arnaez
Press photo by @pats.perspective on IG
“It had been a while since I had written anything new, …I think the writing came quickly because I had so much on my mind.”
Allie Arnaez is a Filipina American singer‑songwriter who released her “soft, dreamlike pop single exploring longing, parallel universes, and emotional acceptance,” “DIMENSION,” on May 8th, 2026.
This song is, admittedly, my favorite out of the three. It has a very wispy and psychedelic vibe, mixing in pop and R&B notes. The word “dimension” is spelled out during the three‑minute duration; I am such a sucker for subtle repetition in music, and “DIMENSION” accomplishes it in such a catchy way. As a girlie who believes in manifestation and the 4D, I really enjoy “DIMENSION” because it deep dives into the idea that events play out in a multitude of ways depending on the universe or timeline, and we sometimes find ourselves pining for a love that may be caught somewhere between our reality and the next. According to the label’s statement, “the track imagines alternate timelines where love plays out differently, where connection isn’t cut short, where things simply… work.” “At its core, the song captures a familiar emotional contradiction: the desire to escape into possibility, while learning to accept reality.”
Stream “DIMENSION” on your music-listening platforms!
"ngày mai" - promqueen
Press photo by @lorenzo.dcphoto on IG
“It’s always been hard for me to say goodbye,” …“This song lives in that moment—looking out, feeling everything at once, and reminding myself that I’m going to be okay.”
promqueen, the Vietnamese artist responsible for the single “ngày mai,” which dropped on May 15th, 2026, embraces the vulnerable but hopeful journey of learning to let go. “Ngày mai” is a Vietnamese phrase that translates to “tomorrow” in English. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate title for this song. Tomorrow brings hope and welcomes the unexpected. Not knowing what is coming next can be terrifying, but it is also exhilarating. Her press release explains how “‘ngày mai’ explores the tension between grief and hope—the act of letting go while trusting that something new is waiting on the other side.” This track embraces the multifaceted perspectives that life brings. “ngày mai” has helped me realize that what may look like a door closed can really be a door opened. Even though the path to the open door may not be easy, it will be worth it.
“ngày mai” is the perfect addition to your summer road trip playlist; stream it now on your music‑listening platforms!
I am such a huge supporter of creative communities that embrace culture, and mHart is just that. Being the first and only Asian American record label in Texas is a revolutionary step in Asian American representation and pop culture. This May, we celebrate Francene Rouelle, Allie Arnaez, promqueen, and all of the talented Asian American artists who create with mHart. Happy AANHPI Heritage Month 2026!
