You don't always get the Valentine you want, but at least in Brantworld you can get some new music. February is here, along with a new batch of songs. This one leans towards the mellow side, but hopefully still excites. It's nice to see so many of this month's songs involve new artists turning to established names for collaboration. To listen on Spotify, click HERE.
1. Black Tears (Imelda May feat. Jeff Beck) - Lawdy, this woman can sing - and a 1950s-style ballad like this is perfectly suited to her pipes.
2. Shine (Mondo Cozmo) - This sounds like the love child of early Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan! Totally dig when the choir kicks in. Why aren't more people making rock music like this???
3. Let Me Get There (Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions feat. Kurt Vile) - Mazzy Star lead singer teams up with Kurt Vile for this easy-going groove (although the video is freaky!).
4. To Her Door (Empire of the Sun feat. Lindsay Buckingham) - The Australian duo tapped several veterans to work on their new album. They got a Fleetwood Mac legend to collaborate on this track! Wendy Melvoin (from Prince's band The Revolution) pitched in for another track: "Ride".
5. Grow Up (Olly Murs) - I'll never understand why this guy isn't more popular in the US. Great mid-tempo pop.
6. Here I Am (Tom Odell) - The UK is clearly overflowing with gifted musicians! This talented pianist from West Sussex is showing no signs of sophomore slump on his latest album!
7. The Girl with Better Clothes (Crooked Man) - I picture this tune being on the soundtrack from some 80s teen movie! Love its bitchy New Wave vibes.
8. Sick Love (Red Hot Chili Peppers) - The feel is a little more mellow, but you can still recognize the band's characteristic funk. Elton John provides a nice assist on keyboards.
9. Oh My God (Gibbz) - Anthony brought this artist to my attention. The use of horns reminds me of classic tunes by Chicago.
10. Human /The Age of L.U.N.A. Remix/ (Rag'n'Bone Man) - The original version of this is getting a lot of play on Sirius/XM radio, but I kind of love this remix. It removes a lot of the bombastic elements of the original and lets the focus remain on Rory Graham's bluesy vocals.
11. Waiting for the Stars (Vitalic feat. David Shaw) - I loved their 2009 hit "Poison Lips", but Vitalic had slipped off my radar until Gary mentioned they had a new album out! They can still rock some Euro-Disco like nobody's business, though.
12. Kiss the Sky (Jason Derulo) - Top-selling singer/songwriter treats us to a new tune, from his Platinum Hits compilation.
13. Come With Us /F9 Extended Disco Mix/ (Sophie Ellis-Bextor) - "Murder on the Dance Floor" songstress comes storming back onto the dance floor with this glitterrific disco ditty!
14. Flowers (Bibi Bourelly) - German singer/songwriter seems poised to become the next big thing in the Hip Hop and R&B world! She's already toured with Rihanna and collaborated with Lil Wayne! Here she gives an expletive-laden tutorial on what NOT to do for Valentine's Day!
15. All Night (Crystal Fighters) - Upbeat world music vibes from British band.
16. Make Some Room (the Suffers) - Move over, Betty Wright! There's a new Clean Up Woman in town. My friend Page profiled the Suffers for South Park magazine, and I was digging their old-school soul sound.
17. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (Blossom Dearie) - I've been on a Blossom Dearie kick lately, rummaging through her catalog and lamenting the fact that so much of her music is now out of print. Here she covers the Vera Lynn standard with a simple jazz band accompanying. This seemed like the perfect Valentine's Day song to end our playlist. Sadly not on Spotify or YouTube, but you can find it on her 1991 album "Tweedledum and Tweedledee".
So that's February! Hope everyone has a great month and I'll see ya in March with some new music!
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