Brant's May 2017 Playlist

What's going to be the best song of the summer?  It's still a toss up!

May is here and it seems the predictions of impending doom were a tad overblown.  America survived the first 100 days of its new President, and warnings of a tsunami in the Philippines were luckily unrealized.  In fact, the only disaster I can think of was the Fyre Festival - and anyone who is willing to pay $12,000 for a concert ticket pretty much deserves what they get.  Especially when you can listen to this month's playlist for free!  To check it out on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Why (Alan Cumming) - I just caught his one man show, "Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs", and it was fantastic.  I love that he opened with this Annie Lennox song!  Don't miss his show if he comes your way!

2.  Demon in Profile (The Afghan Whigs) - Recently reunited rock band brings their A-game with this new single!

3.  Shining In the Distance (the Stray Birds) - When I first heard this, I thought it was Christine McVie singing the lead!  Tight harmonies and toe-tappin' Americana.

4.  Kind Woman (Erin Durant) - Another selection from the excellent "Instant Love" series, where women sing love songs written for women.  Here, Brooklyn singer/songwriter Erin Durant sings Buffalo Springfield's 1968 classic.

5.  Until the Pain Is Gone (Daley feat. Jill Scott) - Another artist I've been lucky enough to catch in concert this year.  Smooth soul vibes delivered in collaboration with the totes brill Jill Scott!

6.  Big Picture /THRDL!FE remix/ (London Grammar) - Stately vocals over a pulsating beat that makes you feel like you are flying over a Scottish mountain range!

7.  Fever (Roosevelt) - We had him on last September's playlist, but this guy is so delicious I needed a second helping!  Feel good New Wave from Germany.

8.  She's Playing Hard to Get /Rid of/ (Sam Outlaw) - Former ad exec switched gears on his 30th birthday to pursue a career in music, and personally I'm glad he did!  He clearly has a love of classic country music and the chops to deliver some of his own!

9.  Spanish Harlem (Laura Nyro with Labelle) - It's been 20 years since we lost Laura Nyro, but when I saw the anniversary of her passing I dug out some of my old CDs.  Gone but not forgotten.

10.  Telling the Truth (Mary J. Blige feat. Kaytranada and BadBadNotGood) - The first of two Kaytranada songs on this month's list.  I'm really digging his minimalist beats, and of course Mary J. could sing tax forms and it'd sound good!

11.  Murder to the Mind (Tash Sultana) - Funky beats, slinky vocals that vaguely remind me of Macy Gray, and one bangin' guitar solo at the end!

12.  Deliverance (Prince) - Did someone say guitar???  How has it been a year since we lost Prince?  Various unreleased tunes of his have surfaced since he passed in 2016, but so far I think this one is my favorite.  I love the gospel touches, and his voice and guitar playing are on point.  I will forever be missing him.

13.  Dearly Beloved (Keisza) -  This is starting to feel like a stream-of-consciousness playlist, since "Dearly Beloved..." is the opening line to one of Prince's biggest hits.  Anyway, this is the latest from Keisza.  It kind of sounds like a 70s tune that got remixed in the 1990s.  It's growing on me.

14.  High (Sir Sly) - Indie pop from the West Coast.

15.  Rhinoceros (Juliana Hatfield) - Remember how Beyonce' used her album "Lemonade" to process her feelings about her husband's infidelity?  Well, Juliana Hatfield has done the same thing with her album "Pussycat" to process her feelings about our current President.  The results are honest, angry, and occasionally hilarious.  Case in point is this tune, which envisions what life must be like behind closed doors for First Lady Melania.    Ick.

16.  Together (Kaytranada feat. AlunaGeorge and GoldLink) - The second Kaytranada song, which serves up more spacey minimalist beats and flirty vocals.

17.  The Cross (Simple Minds) - Not one of Prince's more popular songs, but it perfectly suits Simple Minds' style and they do a great job with it.  This particular recording isn't on Spotify, but you can see it on YouTube.  It's nice to see other artists are still honoring Prince.

So that's this month's list.  Hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day, and we'll see ya next month!