I compile these playlists every month as a way to (hopefully) introduce people to music they may not have otherwise heard. It seems like mainstream radio is so geared towards what's popular that I can't even imagine how a new artist breaks through. Sometimes, however, I wonder if maybe I'm discriminating against the popular acts. Lord knows Beyonce and Coldplay don't need my help to sell records - but both of them have put out new stuff that I really enjoy. So, this month I bucked the trend a little and put them on the list. I still hope there might be other songs on here that you haven't heard.
Also - a lot of these aren't on Spotify, so apologies for that. In these instances - I'll try to refer you to somewhere that you can hear the song. To listen to what IS available on Spotify, click HERE.
1. Devil In Me (Anderson East) - Alabama native and Miranda Lambert's boyfriend starts us out with a Van Morrison-esque blues tune.
2. Everglow (Coldplay) - Gorgeous piano-driven ballad by the massively popular band. I think what charmed me was the song's simplicity, which is refreshing as the band has moved towards a larger and more expansive sound.
3. Shine /Kygo Remix/ (Benjamin Francis Leftwich) - It's also refreshing when a remix doesn't necessarily translate into a dance-floor anthem. Kygo's skillful remix here simply percolates behind Leftwich's lullaby, giving it a Paul Simon "Graceland" feel. Mitch turned me on to this one.
4. Barbaric (Petite Meller) - We had her on last October's playlist, and now she's back with another peppy pop tune from across the pond!
5. Sweet Girl (B1A4) - Apparently my love of boy bands transcends the language barrier. I heard these guys while dining at my fave Korean restaurant and immediately had to have one of their tunes. Not on Spotify, but you can catch the video here.
6. Fast Car (Jonas Blue feat. Dakota) - When one thinks about great dance songs, they probably don't think Tracy Chapman - but hey! It works, probably with a lot of credit going to Dakota's world weary vocals.
7. I'm Not Okay (Jill Andrews) - Trent Dabbs' version is on my September 2013 playlist, but Jill Andrews performs it on her new album! Easy going resignation with a side of protest.
8. They Don't Know (Lydia Loveless) - Straightforward interpretation of the Kirsty MacColl song made famous by Tracey Ullman in 1983.
9. Don't Hurt Yourself (Beyonce feat. Jack White) - Pretty much the polar opposite of "They Don't Know". Blind faith in romance gets an ice cold slap in the face when confronted with undeniable evidence of betrayal. Bey is back and she is p*ssed off. Fantastic collaboration with Jack White from her artistic triumph of an album "Lemonade". Also not on Spotify, but you can hear it here.
10. Where the Light Gets In (Primal Scream feat. Sky Ferreira) - Fantastic New Wave throwback that would make New Order proud!
11. America's Sweetheart (Elle King) - I just caught her concert last month, and this lady is the real deal. Powerful, alt-country jam from young rocker. And how did I not know that she was Rob Schneider's daughter???
12. Mama Tried (Merle Haggard) - The first "In Memoriam" song for this month. RIP to a country legend.
13. Honey Pie (Jonathan Tyler) - Great 70s vibe that sounds like a hybrid of T. Rex and Stealers Wheel.
14. Things That I Lean On (Wynonna and the Big Noise with Jason Isbell) - Two great talents on one great song. Much like the Coldplay tune earlier - no frills are needed.
15. Color (Finish Ticket) - Feel-good alt-rock tune from CA band.
16. Collect My Love (the Knocks feat. Alex Newell) - Peppy NYC disco featuring openly gay and gender-fluid (he doesn't consider himself trans) singer Alex Newell.
17. International Lover (Prince) - Le sigh. Prince's death hit me really hard, and I'm still reeling. There is no possible way to choose just one Prince song to represent the astonishing and brilliant body of work that he produced during his lifetime - so I simply chose this one because it always makes me smile. RIP to a musical genius whose songs were the soundtrack of my life. Gone but will never be forgotten. Prince was fanatical about keeping his music offline, but this is from his legendary "1999" album - so if you don't already have it yourself, somebody you know does.
So that's May's list. Hope everyone's summer gets off to a great start and I'll see you next month!
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