Brant's May 2018 Playlist

My playlists bring all the First Ladies to the yard

What a month April has been!  We lost a First Lady, a promising young DJ, and - if not for Zyrtec and Neti pots - probably would have lost me as well (#PollenSucks).  With all the turmoil and sneezing, I found myself gravitating towards more soothing tunes this month.  So pop an antihistamine, settle in, and let's give this month's playlist a spin.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Such a Simple Thing (Ray LaMontagne) - Critically acclaimed crooner is back with this easy ballad to set the mood!

2.  Time In a Bottle (Lykke Li) - Prior to the release of her new album, Swedish Indie goddess Lykke Li tips her hat to Jim Croce with this delicate cover of his 1972 classic.

3.  After the Storm (Kali Uchis feat. Tyler the Creator and Bootsy Collins) - Columbian-American singer serves up some soulful reassurances in this single from her latest album.

4.  What Would I Change It To (Avicii feat. Aluna George) -  I usually expect to do a monthly RIP post to an artist we have recently lost, but I did NOT expect this month's to be someone so young!  I always loved the creativity in the dance music we got from Avicii.  Rather than follow a single formula, he seemed to be constantly on the lookout for new sounds and hybrids - taking elements of folk and blues music and blending them seamlessly with electronica, like this song with its prominent acoustic guitar.  I was heartbroken to learn of his suicide.  I hope Avicii has found the peace he was seeking.

5.  Hippy Blood (Ingrid Chavez) - 26 years after the date on her Paisley Park debut album, Ingrid Chavez slips onto my radar!  I've been collecting albums by artists on Prince's record label since he died, and tracked this one down a few weeks ago.  Breathy spoken and sung vocals over trippy dance beats.  Ingrid co-wrote Madonna's "Justify My Love", which would have fit perfectly on this album.  "Hippy Blood" is not on Spotify, but you can listen to it HERE.

6.  Language (Starchild and the New Romantic) - Joyful, jazz-influenced R&B from frequent Solange and Blood Orange collaborator.

7.  Lightyears (Kimbra) - Best known for her contribution to Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know", Kimbra released her third album this year - and seems to be channeling Robyn in this perky pop ditty!

8.  A Teenager in Love (the Regrettes) - Dion and the Belmonts 1958 classic gets a garage rock update by this LA band!   

9.  Plastic Hamburgers (Fantastic Negrito) - When I first heard this I could've sworn it was Lenny Kravitz!  Grammy winner serves up some glorious classic rock that would make Led Zeppelin proud.

10.   You're the One (Etana) - Reggae artist (who is the first female in more than two decades to hit number one on the reggae charts TWICE!) gets us in the mood for warm weather with some summery ska!

11.  Blue Rose (Amen Dunes) - Soaring psychedelic-folk that sounds like Van Morrison singing over a Roxy Music track, in all the best ways!

12.  Pynk (Janelle Monáe feat. Grimes) - Two of my fave contemporary artists join together for this celebration of everything estrogen!

13.  Up All Night (Beck) - I just saw him for the first time in concert last night, and he was everything I hoped he would be!  Energetic, enigmatic, and excellent.  This upbeat party tune is from his newest album.

14.  Thinkin Bout You (Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Talib Kweli) /KAYTRANADA Remix/ - If Beck winds us up, this mellow remix is here to wind us down!  Sexy, late-night beats from another of my favorite DJs!

15.  Real Love (Curtis Roush) - Fleetwood Mac vibes from Austin, Texas singer.

16.  Don't Bring Me Flowers (Elise Davis) - To my knowledge, the Ronettes never released a country album - but if they had, it probably would've sounded something like this!  Powerful vocals over a wall-of-sound production let a paramour know that he won't be expected to cuddle after the lovin'!

17.  And I Love Him (Benjamin Gibbard) - Death Cab for Cutie singer puts a same-sex spin on the Beatles ballad for the LGBT compilation "Universal Love - Wedding Songs Reimagined".  Be sure to check out Kesha's cover of Janis Joplin on the same album!

18.  Whatever Comes to Mind (MorMor) - Hypnotic dream-pop that's as warm and hazy as a night in May, from Canadian singer and multi-instrumentalist.

So that's this month's playlist!  Hope you enjoyed, and I'll see ya next month!