Cassadee Pope's Summer EP was a labor of love. While crafting the four-track project, which features three songs co-written by Pope, the singer was determined to find the very best songs -- which made selecting those four included tunes "really hard."

"I knew that I wanted "Alien" on there; that’s a song that I’ve had in my back pocket for quite some time," Pope tells The Boot. ""Summer" was also a song I had written a while ago, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted that one or another one that was in the running."

Summer's title track, in fact, was selected partially thanks to fellow country artist -- and partner on the No. 1 duet "Think of You" -- Chris Young, who weighed in on his favorites while he and Pope were on the road together.

"I started showing my favorite songs to all of my friends and family, and Chris Young and some other artists that I really confided in," Pope notes, "and "Summer" was one of everybody’s favorites."

Pope admits that, as she releases this EP and continues working on her upcoming sophomore album, she is focused on much more than simply recording fun, catchy tunes: She's looking for an emotional connection through music.

"I was really proud of how well "Wasting All These Tears" did, just by how well it was received by fans. I got stories about how that song helped them through some difficult times," Pope acknowledges. "I’m hoping the same thing happens with "Alien," "Summer," "Kisses at Airports" and "Piano." I just think that these songs can really help people, whether they’re in a good or bad place, I think that they’re going to resonate."

Flip through the photo gallery above to learn more about each of the four tracks on Pope's Summer EP.

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