Brant's July 2026 Playlist

 

Upon refection (see what I did there?), perhaps we should
have gone with Nikki Haley or Kamala Harris for President...

America's 250th year, and it seems more like a stint in purgatory.  Nobody's ready to pull the plug on our country but it's fair to say the mood is not exactly celebratory!  This month's list dials back the dance tunes of last month, but hopefully isn't serving funeral dirges.  There are a lot of returning favorites - basically aural comfort food!  Seems like it also skews retro (maybe the 1960s?).  Anyway, to listen on Spotify, click HERE.  Enjoy!

1.  High Hopes 3000 (Role Model) - Our first returning fave!  I'm getting T. Rex vibes here, which is a perfect fit for Role Model's jaunty delivery.

2.  Against the Grain (Julianna Riolino) - Young Canadian singer/songwriter keeps the retro feels coming with this alt country ditty. 

3.  Crumb (Prima Queen) - Indie UK duo delivers some sunny pop vibes perfect for summer.

4.  Rain Dance (Matt Jaffe) - San Francisco artist sounds like a quirky 80s band from your favorite mixtape!

5.  Hoops (Milk & Bone feat. Chromeo) - They had me at Chromeo, but this Canadian band's tantalizing vocals only sweeten the pot! 

6.  I Can Take the Sun Out of the Sky (Brigitte Calls Me Baby) - Another great song from Chicago band's latest release! 

7.  Rain (Dagny) - Dagny has been on multiple Brantworld playlists, but this new album is the closest I can recall to her doing full-on dance music!  Viva Disco Dagny!!!  

8.  Body Talk (Mr. Fantasy) - Gary turned me on to this guy!  Jamiroquai-influenced dance pop from the artist who may or may not be KJ Apa.

9.  Friends Again (Baby Rose & Leon Thomas) - Slinky R&B as hot as the July nights!

10.  America (Charley Crockett) - I was looking for a USA themed song for this month that wasn't too tone-deaf or jingoistic.  Charley to the rescue! 

11.  What Kind of Man Are You (Genya Ravan) - I have been on a Genya Ravan kick lately!  How did I miss her first time around???  Anyway, this is an early song of hers after she left Goldie & the Gingerbreads.  I HIGHLY encourage people to check her out! 

12.  Broke Bitch Boogie (Baby Nova) - Definitely 1960s vibes with a 2020's edge!  

13.  Meet the New Swamp (Jesse Welles) - Upbeat folk-rock from critically acclaimed singer-songwriter.

14.  Back in Your Red Chevy (Holly Humberstone) - Sometimes a stripped-down version of a song really adds to the emotional resonance.  Case in point... 

15.  Audrey Hepburn (Maisie Peters) - We last had this English artist on our February 2024 playlist, and now she's back!  

16.  Freaking Out (Michigander) - Another Brantworld listee returns! 

17.  My Body Isn't Ready (sombr) - At this point, Grammy-nominated sombr needs no introduction, and it's good to hear new music from him! 

18.  Anywhere But On My Mind (lovelytheband) - The latest from West Coast US band! 

19.  The Best (Conan Gray) - A personal fave of mine whose songwriting never fails to resonate.  

20. When That Man Is Dead and Gone (Lizzy & the Triggermen) - This was originally written about Hitler, so it certainly couldn't apply to anyone today!  

So that's July's playlist!  Hope everyone makes the most of the month & I'll see you in August!  

Brant's June 2026 Playlist

There ain't no cure for the summertime blues!  
Fortunately we have our Emotional Support Alien - and a new playlist!  

Another month, another playlist!  June is Pride month, so I went heavy on the dance tracks and remixes, but threw in the usual mix of other finds!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Virgin Heartbreak (Baby Nova) - Indie singer from Nova Scotia with a song about what the gays do best - survival! 

2.   Sex, Drugs and Existential Dread (Chloe Qisha) - This is from 2025, but seemed apropos given today's political climate!

3.  Opalite /Chris Lake Remix/ (Taylor Swift) - This was a song I never really noticed until the remix.  I love how Lake took it to a darker place!  

4.  I Danced with Another Love in My Dream (Brigitte Calls Me Baby) - We last had them on our December 2023 playlist!  Love the 80s vibes I'm getting - perhaps Talk Talk meets Psychedelic Furs?

5.  allofthat (ELIO) - Easygoing pop in the style of Holly Humberstone or Kacey Musgraves.

6.  Already There (Young the Giant) - Wistful emo from frequent Brantworld listee.

7.  All Too Well (Ruston Kelly) - Obviously nothing compares to Taylor's version, but I'm digging the bluesy, folk-rock vulnerability!  It's always fun to hear someone interpret a well-known tune.  

8.  We Better Get Packed (Ike Reilly & Shane Reilly) - Established rocker introduces his son to the world!  Me likey!

9.  Phone Sick (Tommy Newport) - Uplifting pop/rock anthem from Kansas singer/songwriter.

10.  Empty Little Room (Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters) - My fraternity brother Steve recommended this Asheville group to me, and he lives in Colorado!  Clearly I haven't been paying attention!

11.  Waiting (Beth Orton) - Wow!  I'm not sure I would've recognized this as Beth Orton if I'd just heard it on the radio!  Her voice has changed, but her songwriting prowess is strong as ever.  It's good to have her back!

12.  Hang the Ragga DJ /Royal Fun Flip/ (the Smiths) - Who would've thought to put a reggae spin on the Smiths???  Not me, but it works.  This one is not on Spotify but you can find it on Bandcamp.

13.  Lisa Never Wanted to Be Famous (Cory Wong feat. Theo Katzman) - Jazzy vibes perfect for summer sunsets.  I may have to start paying more attention to this Grammy nominated composer!  

14.  Longer Days (Aaron Childs) - Sunny, mellow soul from West Coast artist.  

15.  Hot Line (the Sylvers) - Foster Sylvers just passed away last month, so I wanted to add a song from The Sylvers.  It's easy to hear the Jackson 5 influence, but when the songs are this catchy you can't be upset about it!  

16.  Sick of It (Rat Boy) - English punk rocker is back and hasn't mellowed one little bit (yay!).  

17.  Hate to be the One (Izzy Escobar) - Retro vibes that bring Amy Winehouse and the classic girl groups of the 1960s to mind. 

18.  Hide (Neal Francis) - Another welcome return!  Francis takes all the best elements of disco and psychedelic rock and combines them into one glorious aural package.  

19.  That's When You Know (Kygo feat. Carter Faith) - I love the country twist on Kygo's signature electronica!  I can't think of a single time when putting a country singer (Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton) on a dance track hasn't worked!  More of this, please!!! 

20.  DANCE... (Slayyyter) - Angsty, spooky dance ditty from Indie artist who apparently just killed it at Coachella!  

21.  Closet Disco Queen (Dagny) -  Not to be confused with Leon Russell's "Crystal Closet Queen" (which is equally awesome), frequent Brantworld listee serves up some bizarre Euro dance vibes.  Very different from her other stuff, but it's growing on me!  

So that's June's playlist!  Stay safe, kids!  Happy Pride and we'll see you in July!