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| Bah humbug! I got visited by THREE spirits and not one of them brought music! |
Like Candy Spelling in her gift decorating room after too many Peppermint Mochas, another year is wrapping up fast! Christmas albums began coming out back in September, but I'm still not ready for them. Besides, there was plenty of other great music to check out - so let's get to it! To listen on Spotify, click HERE.
1. Sylvia Says /Mind Enterprises Remix/ (Charlotte Gainsbourg) - Whether it's Breakbot (who also remixed this particular song!), dearly departed Avicii, or DJ Snake - Europeans are masters of Electronica. I'm totally digging this 80's flavored remix of Charlotte Gainsbourg's tune from her critically acclaimed album "Rest".
2. Lover Chanting (Little Dragon) - Yukimi Nagano and the gang are back with more trippy European electronica to help you dance off those Thanksgiving calories.
3. Ride or Die (the Knocks feat. Foster the People) - I really thought after "Pumped Up Kicks" that Foster the People would be a one-hit wonder, but they continue to turn out great music, this time with American duo the Knocks!
4. Gut Feeling (Ella Mai feat. H.E.R.) - Another powerhouse pairing that has been on heavy rotation since I first heard it. Two R&B divas join forces for a simmering slow jam!
5. Dream Operator (Talking Heads feat. Annie McEnroe) - It took him 32 years, but David Byrne has FINALLY released the complete soundtrack to "True Stories"! I liked the Talking Heads' version, but something about Annie McEnroe's vocals from the film really took this song to the next level for me! It sounds like a quirky lullaby sung to the world's coolest toddler! The scene from the movie is probably one of my favorite 1980s movie clips ever!
6. Winter's Day (Gunhild Carling) - I stumbled across a video of her performing "Bag Pipe Blues" at a jazz festival, and was immediately #obsessed with Gunhild. What's not to like about a blonde bombshell with a horn??? Here, she welcomes the season with a mix of vocals and trumpet!
7. Really Gone /Hansa Session/ (Chvrches) - Whoa. Electronic band goes acoustic with gorgeous string renditions of songs from their latest album. Perfect for listening as the snow falls.
8. Flower in the Gun (Michael Franti with Victoria Canal) - One of my favorite live performers is back with a new album, and this earnest plea for world peace. I miss his "Ganja Babe" days, but this'll do in the meantime!
9. Messin' with Me (Northern Faces) - Indie band from Albany gets the party going again with this song from their sophomore album!
10. New Compassion (Haerts) - German duo serves up some anthemic rock with soaring vocals.
11. Farther Away (Sam Valdez) - LA songwriter reminds me of a female Chris Isaak with her mellow crooning and seductive guitar strumming!
12. Feel the Same (Olly Murs feat. Nile Rodgers) - Olly is my go-to guy when I want some upbeat pop, and this partnership with Nile Rodgers only increases the fun!
13. On the Inside (Cindy Wilson) - I'm really digging Cindy Wilson's (B-52s) solo material. I had "Ballistic" on last August's playlist, but had to showcase this dreamy selection from last year's "Change" album.
14. All I Needed Was the Rain (Glen Campbell) - Glen Campbell began his career recording demos for Elvis Presley! Who knew??? Fortunately, someone dug up the recordings from 1964-68 and decided to make them available to the public. Here, he sounds like Elvis covering a Bobbie Gentry tune!
15. Get By (Diane Coffee) - California artist, and frequent Brantworld listee, Shaun Fleming is giving me life with this glam rock ditty!
16. Dance Hall Days (Theophilus London) - Trinidadian-born American performs a solid cover of Wang Chung's classic, warming the original with a tropical flair!
17. Great (IDLES) - Punk has always been a rallying cry against mainstream culture, so what a thrill to see it utilized here to call out the racist haters in the world by beloved British band IDLES.
18. Crazy (Taichi Mukai) - I'm really getting into Asian pop! Here, "Japanesey" artist gets our feet tappin' with some danceable R&B!
19. Candy Cane Lane (Sia) - I had to include at least one Christmas song! Since last year's December playlist was all vintage holiday music, I went contemporary for this year's selection. Sia took a huge creative risk by releasing an album of original material for the season, but I think she did a great job! I guess time will tell if any of these reach the heights of Mariah's 1994 standard ("All I Want for Christmas Is You").
So that's our last list for 2018! Hope everyone has a festive holiday season - and stay warm! I'll see you in the New Year!
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