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| Happy New Year? I'm not convinced. But thank you! |
Whoa. We actually made it through 2025. People keep saying "Happy New Year" and all I can think is, that seems optimistic. Personally - my health insurance premiums have tripled, I've got friends getting laid off from their jobs left & right, and groceries are as expensive as ever. But sure - happy new year. At least we have some new music to enjoy! It seems country-tinged to me, but I'll let you decide. To listen on Spotify, click HERE.
1. Lose It Again (Hatchie) - We last had her on my June 2022 playlist, and I forgot how much I like her! Australian singer kicks off our first song of the New Year!
2. Wantin' Woman (Free Arlo) - Singer/Songwriter Chance Famighetti is bringing Role Model/the Eagles vibes, and me likey!
3. d£aler (Lola Young) - British singer/songwriter's latest offering is some toe-tapping escapism with her usual bluntness!
4. Whiskey Cherry (Clover County) - Frequent Brantworld listee from Athens, GA never disappoints with her heartfelt folk-rock.
5. Cherry Reds (Amber Mark) - Did someone say "cherry"? More good vibes from another fave of mine!
6. Canal Street (sombr) - An unexpected ballad from one of my favorite new artists (and now a Grammy nominee!).
7. Barcelona (Rikas) - We had a Roosevelt remix from them last month, so I was curious to hear more from this German band. It has a yacht rock/Dire Straits energy to my ears.
8. Moody (Royel Otis) - Funky Indie Pop from Australian duo.
9. If He Wanted To He Would (Perrie) - Little Mix singer goes solo with this powerhouse pop anthem that reminds me of the stuff we'd hear from Shania Twain/Faith Hill in the late-90s!
10. Fireworks (Joseph) - More high-energy country from Portland, Oregon trio of sisters.
11. Keep the Fire Burning /UK Club Mix/ (Gwen McCrae) - Sadly we lost her in 2025, but with soulful grooves like this one (and her biggest hit "Rockin' Chair"), Gwen will never be forgotten. RIP
12. Illegal (PinkPantheress feat. Seventeen) - Frenetic beats and slinky vocals from up-and-coming young artist, with an assist from K-pop boy band.
13. Baby Blue (SG Lewis with Oliver Sim) - SG Lewis serves up his trademark soaring beats and XX member Oliver Sim perfectly compliments them with his gorgeous vocals.
14. Call Me After Midnight (Bleachers) - With Max Martin producing Taylor Swift's new album, I guess Jack Antonoff had time to return to his own musical output! This was a nice R&B-influenced selection from the new album.
15. Right on Time /RKR Funk Remix/ (Leela James feat. Kincy) - Not many people do modern R&B better than Leela James. Case in point...
16. It Might Have to Be You (Vulfmon feat. Evangeline) - Easygoing jazz from West Coast artist.
17. Sewers (mehro) - Beatle-esque ballad from another LA artist we've featured previously.
18. Dearest Madeleine /Dry Season Rhythm/ (Viren Neel feat. Claire Wright) - Trinidadian artist closes us out with some Islandy vibes to warm us up during this chilly winter weather!
So that's our first playlist of 2026! Stay strong, everyone, and hopefully we'll see you in February.
