Brant's December 2020 Playlist

"Can you send back a Christmas tree once it's been chopped down?!?"

The last playlist of the year!  Considering what a rotten year 2020 was, I guess we're lucky to have made it here at all.  Anyway, Melania may not have any Christmas spirit, but I was feelin' it.  Along with the usual mix of new stuff, we've got some holiday songs!  Hope you enjoy.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.  

1.  Experience (Victoria Monét with Khalid) - Songwriter for Ariana Grande and Fifth Harmony steps into the spotlight, with an assist from Khalid!  

2.  Night Walking (Lazarus Kane) - Peppy dance pop from charismatic new artist.

3.  Proxima B (Benjamin Gibbard) - Solo rock tribute to the closest planet outside of our solar system, from lead vocalist/guitarist of Death Cab for Cutie.

4.  Christmas Valentine (Ingrid Michaelson with Jason Mraz) - Our first Christmas tune is an enjoyable duet from two songwriting icons.  

5.  Words of a Fool (Barry Gibb with Jason Isbell) - Two other accomplished songwriters team up for this country-flavored ballad.  This is not your mama's Bee Gees.  Thanks to Jill for bringing it to my attention!  

6.  Anyway (May Erlewine and Woody Goss) - Michigan singer/songwriter seems to be channeling Christine McVie in this awesome folk-pop effort.  

7.  Gum (Emily Krueger) - Instagram star seems destined for pop stardom, if songs like this are any indication of her talent!

8.  Edge of Midnight /Midnight Sky Remix/ (Miley Cyrus vs Stevie Nicks) - Miley teams up with one of her influences for this energetic mashup.  

9.  That's Rock and Roll (Billie Joe Armstrong) - Shaun Cassidy has alwasy been a guilty pleasure of mine.  I never thought about anyone actually covering his songs, but if I had -  I think I'd agree that Green Day/Billie Joe Armstrong is a solid choice!  It's retro and new at the same time.  If only it were safe to go to the roller rinks, I'd adjust my rainbow-striped suspenders, slap on my neon lime high-top skates, and ask the DJ to play this as loudly as possible!  

10.  Cotton Candy (Yungblud) - Halsey's ex-boyfriend serves up some sticky-sweet pop-rock!  

11.  Lucid (Rina Sawayama) - British pop star is back and she does not disappoint with this exuberant dance ditty.

12 . Christmas Without You (Ava Max) - For whatever reason, I was not expecting a Christmas song from Ava "Sweet But a Psycho" Max!  I'm happily surprised AND entertained!  

13.  Get Me Some (Tokimonsta feat Drew Love and Dumbfoundead) - Jazzy lounge beats from proliferate LA producer and brain surgery survivor!  

14.  Hang Them on the Tree (June Christy) - I love this woman's voice.  June is no longer with us, but her spirit lives on in her recordings.  This is another selection from her 1961 holiday album ("The Merriest" being best known).  Considering the year we've had, a song about making lemons into lemonade seemed apropos!

15.  Pure Shores (Eliza Shaddad) - Groovy beats from London UK artist.

16.  Cigarette (Julian Lamadrid) - Bold alt rock from young Brooklyn-based Mexican artist.

17.  Harlem River Blues (Steve Earle) - We lost Justin Townes Earle back in August.  His father, Steve Earle, decided to record an album of JTE's songs, with proceeds going into a trust for the daughter Justin left behind.  A worthy cause that enables the rest of us to enjoy some great music.  

18.  Christmas Song (Phoebe Bridgers with Jackson Browne) - Indie rocker closes us out with this melancholy holiday song, assisted by the legendary Jackson Browne.

So that's December's playlist.  Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.  Here's hoping 2021 brings us better times, better leaders, and a COVID vaccine!  May we meet again in the New Year!