Rivers Cuomo

Special for USA TODAY

Just a year after releasing its self-titled "White Album," Los Angeles pop-rock band Weezer is cruising back with 11th studio effort Pacific Daydream (out Friday).

Drawing heavily from The Beach Boys and The Clash, prolific frontman Rivers Cuomo shares other inspirations for the new music in a playlist for USA TODAY:

The Crystals, Then He Kissed Me

We listened to a lot of Phil Spector productions when we were making our new album, Pacific Daydream. We were learning how to make a Wall of Sound without distortion pedals.

Weezer, Happy Hour

We love playing this song live. It has such a groove. We feel like we’re the Commodores.

Blondie, Heart of Glass

This was another big inspiration for us in the studio. Dark and futuristic, but at the same time, super catchy.

Tame Impala, The Less I Know the Better

Tame Impala has become a big inspiration production-wise, with their small bass sounds and compressed drums.

Axwell Λ Ingrosso, More Than You Know

This is one of my favorite melodies of the year. I don’t know why it's not more popular in this country, but it seems to be big around the rest of the world.

AJR, Sober Up

AJR is one of my favorite new bands, so I was delighted when they asked me to help them finish this song. That’s me singing on the bridge.

Foxygen, San Francisco

Foxygen was one of the first bands that inspired me to explore the sounds of the '60s, rather than just the melodies and chord progressions.

M83, Wait

Say goodbye to summer with this perfect playlist ender.