Brant's October 2016 Playlist

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

The election is one month away, and everywhere I turn I'm bombarded with people spouting their opinions about the candidates.  Donald is a loose cannon.  Hillary is not trustworthy.  Gary is stoned.  And pretty much everyone in the North Carolina government needs to be flushed.   Thank goodness we have a new crop of songs to take our minds off it all for a while.  I may not be running for office, but I definitely approve this playlist.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Vices (BoyBoy) - Easy-going electronica to start us off!

2.  Happy (NAO) - Eric turned me on to her.  Sounds like Deniece Williams if she was a member of TLC.

3.  Closer (Josef Salvat) - Sumptuous pop from Australian artist.

4.  Call You Home (Kelvin Jones) - English/Zimbabwean became a sensation when this song was posted on Reddit!  Soothing folk-pop about finding that person that feels like family.

5.  Casanova (Foy Vance) - You know you're doing well when Ed Sheeran signs you to his label and Elton John wants to tour with you!  Admittedly he reminds me of fellow Irishman Van Morrison, but I think as Vance continues to put out new music and evolve he'll have no trouble distinguishing himself as a musical force of his own.

6.  They Call That Religion (Fly By Night Rounders) - I just caught these guys at the Tosco Music Party, and they were AWESOME live.  Abby the Spoon Lady is hypnotic to watch as she performs!  Not on Spotify, but you can hear this Carolina band at BandCamp.

7.  Walls (Kings of Leon) - A mega-popular band that doesn't need my help to sell records, but I'm totally digging their new music.

8.  I Was Terrible (How to Dress Well) - The latest from singer/songwriter Tom Krell has a nervous, frenetic energy that reminds me of Joe Jackson's "Stepping Out".

9.  Set Me Free (Herizen Guardiola) - We had Christina Aguilera's contribution ('Telepathy') to "the Get Down" soundtrack last month, but there were too many great songs not to add another.  This one is central to the story of the lead female in the series (which is great - check it out on Netflix if you haven't already).  Nile Rodgers had a hand in both songs, which is probably why I love them!

10.  Give It Up (Nathan Sykes) - Coincidentally, Nathan was on last October's playlist!  Now he's back with more R&B flavored pop.

11.  Beautiful Birds (Passenger with Birdy) - Two of my favorite British acts team up for this gorgeous acoustic ballad.

12.  Blue Turning Grey Over You (Catherine Russell) - I'm embarrassed to admit I'm just now discovering Ms. Russell, but what I'm hearing so far has me definitely counted among her fans.  Her latest album is a collection of songs from the Golden Age of Harlem, and this one I found myself especially gravitating towards.

13.  Junior Spirit (Jaala) - Prog-Rock with a distinct jazz influence, and delicious female vocals.

14.  Silver /Androma Remix/ (Fakear feat. Rae Morris) - French electronica that vaguely reminds me of Röyksopp with its plaintive vocals over an icy beat.

15.  Where Do We Go (Lion Babe) - Fierce dance pop from NYC duo.

16.  Punks in a Disco Bar (Beach Slang) - I put their dope cover of the Plimsouls on my June 2016 playlist, but here they are doing some of their own stuff.  Adrenaline-fueled punk rock from Philly band.

17.  Bad Decision (Two Door Cinema Club) - The pulsating beats and falsetto vocals could make this a Scissor Sisters' song, but this British band seems to just be expanding their sound.  The rest of the new album is chock full of more usual Indie rock.

18.  Ghostbusters (Ray Parker Jr) - I always like to have a Halloween song on my October playlists, and with the Ghostbusters film franchise being revived this year - this seemed like an obvious choice.  It's always a good way to get your Halloween party out onto the dance floor.

So that's October.  Hope everyone is registered to vote, and exercises their right to do so next month.  No bullying or pressure as to which candidates you should support!  Just get out there.  America needs you!