Saturday, May 31, 2025

Brant's June 2025 Playlist


Who's ready for some summer road trips???

No man is an island, so this month's playlist is loaded with songs other people have turned me on to!  I spent some time in the mountains with fraternity brothers, and some time at the beach with another friend.  As always - music was a big part of the experience.  Expect some Pride tunes for June, lots of classic rock and a few returning faves.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.


1.  Breakin' (Dexter & the Moonrocks) - We had these guys on last July's playlist, so why not get the summer's playlist going with this awesome Texas Indie band? 

2.  Undressed (sombr) - Handsome NY singer/songwriter has a slight 1960s influence that I'm digging. 

3.  Gunslinger (Natalie Bergman) - West Coast artist keeps the 60s sounds going and seems to be conjuring up visions of Nancy Sinatra in a spaghetti Western movie!  

4.  Cherry Bomb (Pixey with JD Cliffe) - Frequent Brantworld listee is back with this hip hop/dreampop offering. 

5.  Shock Treatment (Caroline Kingsbury) - I can't remember where I first saw her - but I was immediately drawn to Kingbury's aesthetic!  Imagine Chappell Roan with a skootch of Cyndi Lauper and perhaps Nina Hagen's edginess.  

6.  I Like (Ferris Pier with Brother Leo) - Upbeat dance pop that's perfect for rollerblading along a beachside strip (or whatever the kids are doing these days!).  

7.  Temptation (Bakermat with Elise LeGrow) - Mitch turned me on to this.  Sexy beats and powerhouse vocals!  

8.  World's Worst Girlfriend (Shura) - I forgot how much I missed this artist!  Can't wait to hear the new album!  

9.  Power of Love (Kacey Johansing) - My pledge bro Lewis put this artist on my radar.  Gorgeous vocals and minimal instrumentation.  This is from 2017.  I hope we get to hear more from her!

10.  Red Moon (Tom Misch) - Jazzy funk from British singer/songwriter.  

11.  Back It Up (Neal Francis) - Neal was already a fave of mine, so it was mostly validating and exciting to see my concert-going fraternity brother Al was also a fan!  From the pics and videos he sent me, Neal Francis is definitely worth catching if he comes to your town.  I know I intend to go! 

12.  Smalltown Boy (Bronksi Beat feat. the Knocks and Perfume Genius) - Pride offering #1 - There is no overstating how YUUUUUGE this song was when it first came out in 1984!  What a treat to find Perfume Genius and The Knocks giving it a reboot!  

13.  Bleed (Malcolm Todd feat. Omar Apollo) - Young West Coast artist got discovered on TikTok (that seems to be the primary entry point for musicians these days) and just released his first album! 

14.  Love Me Not (Ravyn Lenae feat. Rex Orange County) - Up and coming R&B chanteuse teams up with ROC for this catchy number.  

15.  Bottom of a Bottle (Julien Baker and TORRES) - Another fave song from this alt rock/country duo! 

16.  King of Possibilities (Goldie Boutilier) - Quirky LA singer/songwriter/model delivers this slinky lounge ditty.  

17.  Gild the Lily (Billy Strings) - This is another artist my fraternity bros brought to my attention.  Summery acoustic folk with a 1970s vibe!

18.  Different Kind of Lonely (Amber Burgoyne) - British jazz singer's career is just beginning, but she's off to a strong start!  

19.  Don't Speak (Loaded Honey) - Not the No Doubt song, but with islandy jazz sounds like these - who cares?  

20.  Revelation (The Knocks and Dragonette) - I've about decided that I love anything these folks put out!  Joyous dance-pop with an 80s flavor! 

21.  Enough Is Enough (KD Lang with Andy Bell) - This is an underappreciated Pride song from the 1993 Coneheads movie soundtrack!  Two greats making great music together.  Any chance we can get a 2025 remix????

So that's June's playlist!  Stay cool, wear your sunscreen, and I'll see ya next month!  

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Brant's May 2025 Playlist

I'm moving into May with the confidence of Saxon and the determination of Piper, but hoping to be a little less "hands-on" than Lochlan!


May is here and the latest season of "White Lotus" has dropped!  This month's playlist was cultivated with thoughts of summer vacations and drinks on the veranda in mind.  It seemed to have a 1960s vibe somehow to my ears, but you can decide for yourself!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Honeycomb (Art D'ecco) - I like this guy more & more with each new album!  This tune sounds like a hybrid of Queen and T. Rex in all the best ways.  

2. Girl of the Hour (Tabitha Meeks) - Slinky go-go lounge vibes that seems like something Ann-Margret would dance to in her best cheetah-print catsuit! 

3.  January [Over and Over] (Vacation Manor) - Lynchburg, VA band delivers some dreamy Indie rock!

4.  I Would Now (Evangeline with Max Shrager) - Airy vocals and wispy slide guitar make for a perfect summer ditty from this West Coast singer/songwriter.

5.  Sugar in the Tank (Julien Baker with Torres) - One third of boygenius teams up with Indie chanteuse Torres for this soft-rock offering. 

6.  Coinstar (Runner) - Classic rock vibes from LA singer/songwriter.  

7.  It's Amazing to Be Young (Fontaines D.C.) - We last had them on our August 2024 playlist, but the Bonus Edition of their last album had this track on it - so they're back again!  This tune has a very 1980s college radio sound to it.  

8.  Dreams (the Knocks + Dragonette) - This power couple just keeps the joyous synth-pop songs coming, and I am here for it!!!  

9.  Smile (Martin Garrix feat. Carolina Liar) - This starts out like a 1960s hippie ballad and morphs into a circuit party dance anthem!  J'adore!!!  

10.  Spend My Nights (Winston Surfshirt) - A little Australian funk to keep the dance vibes going.  

11.  We Got to Hit It Off /Dimitri from Paris Liberated Women Mix/ (Millie Jackson) - Revered DJ Dimitri from Paris remixes underrated soul singer Millie Jackson's 1979 album cut!  

12.  Richardson (Shura feat. Cassandra Jenkins) - Shura is back with this slow dance ditty - just in time for prom!  

13.  Furry Sings the Blues (Kelela) - It takes a brave soul to tackle Joni Mitchell. This Washington DC singer proves she's more than up to the task!  

14.  Good These Days (Clover County) - Another artist I'm growing more and more fond of!  Easygoing folk for watching sunsets on the porch. 

15.  Dealing with the Devil (Carsie Blanton) - Carsie serves up some toe-tapping ragtime!  

16.  Love Looks Pretty on You (Nessa Barrett) - TikTok star signs with Warner Bros and delivers this dreampop confection.  

17.  Born with a Broken Heart (Damiano David) - MÃ¥neskin frontman goes solo and shows off his amazing vocal range with this breakout hit.  

18.  Julian (Meowboys with Motherfolk) - Jubilant but empathetic garage rock from Cinncinati band.  

19.  Catch These Fists (Wet Leg) - British Indie Rock band comes out swinging with their latest tune!

So that's May's playlist!  Y'all stay safe, have a great Memorial Day weekend, and I'll see you in June!