Brant's August/September 2026 Playlist

Summer's been a bit hairy, but I'm trying to enjoy it...

Clearly I am late with this month's playlist, and things aren't looking any better for September!  We'll just call this the August/September playlist.  Anyway, it's the usual mix of stuff - familiar favorites, a few cool reissues, and other quirky selections.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  No More Regrets (Almost Monday) - Upbeat Indie band (and frequent Brantworld listees) kick us off with this disco-influenced ditty!

2. Wayuwanna (Mr. Fantasy) - I'm still enjoying this mysterious artist's dance-pop confections.

3.  Spellbinding Lover (Patrick Cowley feat. Jeannie Tracy) - Previously unreleased tracks from the legendary (and gone to soon!) dance music producer.  This groovy jam immediately grabbed me.

4.  All Night, All Right (Cory Wong feat. Taylor Hanson) - Unexpected appearance by a Hanson brother makes this easygoing R&B track all the more engaging!

5.  No Curfew (Elyn Lane) - Some Latin rhythms for our summer!

6.  Summer Breeze (Akeylah Simone) - I was thrilled to get a message from my friend Jill, who shared what she's got on heavy rotation this summer.  This is from her summer playlist!  

7.  I Knew You Were Waiting for Me (Meshell Ndegeocello with Cynthia Erivo) - Gorgeous cover of the Aretha/George Michael classic by two contemporary chanteuses.  

8.  Get It Back (Genya Ravan) - I'm still on my Genya Ravan kick.  This funky track is from her 1974 "Goldie Zelkowitz" album.  It easily could've been on any Stevie wonder album from that time! Not on Spotify but you can listen to it here.

9.  Don't Leave Me on the Dance Floor (Carly Rae Jepsen) - I was super surprised to hear CRJ has a double album coming out!  She just had a baby in March!  Man, I feel slack.  

10.  Danceteria (Madonna) - I'm so impressed a 67 year old can put out a credible dance/club album.  This is one of my personal faves from Confessions II.  

11.  The Waiting Room (Fantastic Cat) - Recently formed Indie band has already worked with the likes of Butch Walker and Adam Duritz!  It'll be interesting to see what's next.  

12.  Paradise (Brandon Flowers) - I'm getting Roy Orbison vibes from this solo effort by the Killers lead singer.  

13.  You You You (Maisie Peters) - We had her on last month's playlist, and this is another tune from the English singer-songwriter's latest album.  Lord knows we've all had relationships that seemed to take over our lives! 

14.  Mill Town Flood (Billy Strings) - Multiple Grammy winner is still going strong with his homespun country/bluegrass!

15.  Joy (Role Model) - Frequent Brantworld listee seems to get better with every new song he puts out! 

16.  So Happy It Hurts (Bryan Adams) - I caught Bryan Adams when he came through Charlotte this month and he put on a great show.  Unfortunately I couldn't stay for the entire performance, but this new song caught my attention!  Wish I'd been able to see the rest of the concert.  

17.  Back in Time for the Weekend (the Cleaners from Venus) - I'm not sure where I heard this one.  The band has been around for a while, but this is the first I can say I've heard them.  It sounds like the jazzy pop we used to get back in the 1980s!  Think: "Captain of Her Heart" by Double or "Long Hot Summer" by Style Council.

18.  Violets for Your Furs (John Coltrane) - Weirdly, John Coltrane has come up a lot recently.  Once during a trivia night, and then also in a show called "Miles and Coltrane" that played here in Charlotte.  He's from NC, so I figured this remastered/reissue was as good a time as any to get acquainted with his music.  So far I'm digging it!

19.  Haunt Me (Twin Temple) - This duo performed on the "Daily Show" recently and I was hooked.  With Shooter Jennings producing, seems like a can't miss album!

20.  You Got to Lose (the Black Keys) - Gritty garage rock from established band!

21.  Have You Ever Seen the Rain? (Bonnie Tyler) - Oh, it hurt my heart to see Bonnie Tyler passed away last month.  She's best known for "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Holding Out for a Hero", but I've always loved her cover of this Creedence Clearwater Revival classic.  RIP.

22.  Deportee /Plane Wreck at Los Gatos/ (Margo Price with Joan Baez) - Another great cover!  Margo Price and folk royalty Joan Baez cover a 1948 Woody Guthrie composition.  Sadly it's as relevant today as it was 80 years ago.  

So that's what we've got for August and September.  Here's hoping life settles down and that I can get October's playlist out on time.  Enjoy the rest of your summer!

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!

Brant's May 2026 Playlist

I like to call this one "Doctor on a Dinosaur". 

May is here, and we've got a new playlist just in time for the weekend!  In anticipation of Pride next month, we've got Lady Gaga (with Doechii!) AND Madonna (with Sabrina Carpenter!).  We've also got new stuff from returning faves, and waterfowl in the singular AND plural!  Hope you enjoy.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Having You Around (yardsale) - So apparently there are several bands with this name or very similar.  This particular one is a trio of guys.  Anyway, it had an easygoing summer vibe that felt appropriate to kick things off!  

2.  Drunk Dialing (Holly Humberstone) - Another track off Holly's new album!  

3.  Madalena (Goose) - Some of my fraternity brothers turned me on to this band!  Very much a Jackson Browne vibe here that I'm digging.  It's also the first of our singular/plural waterfowl! 

4.  Kentucky Too Long (Charley Crockett) - The latest from frequent Brantworld listee continues his old-school country immersion!  

5.  Let Me Take You Out Tonight (Marc Broussard) - I just caught Marc this week in concert and he was fantastic.  He describes his music as Bayou Soul, which seems pretty accurate.  I'm getting Leon Russell, BB King, and even a dash of Brian Setzer!  Catch him if he comes to your town!

6.  Tiny Raisin (Suki Waterhouse) - English singer-songwriter has a new album coming out, and I can't wait!  Energetic and youthful pop rock to get you on your feet!

7.  Sunshine State (Pixey) - Another frequent listee who never disappoints!  

8.  Runway (Lady Gaga & Doechii) - This is from the new Devil Wears Prada sequel.  I'm a tad apprehensive about the movie, but happily endorse this dance floor strutter!  

9.  Sophie (Haute & Freddy) - My love of this new band continues unabated!  

10.  Save My Love (Kygo feat. Khalid and Gryffin) - Peppy collaboration to get your summer celebrations going! 

11.  Bring Your Love (Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter) - Power Pairing from two gay icons!  Will it give Madge the comeback she's striving for?  TBD...  

12.  Love Ain't Sh*t (Jai'Len Josey) - Bold and blunt R&B from Atlanta artist.

13.  Madwoman (Laufey) - Come for the groovy music, stay for the Hudson Williams video! 

14.  Cobra (Geese) - The second of our goose/geese offerings!  These guys (completely unrelated to Goose) feature singer Cameron Winter and his unique vocal stylings.  Their music veers from quirky to just bizarre, but I did like this one.    

15.  Virginia Slim /from the Garage/ (Laufey) - Acoustic version of the single from her debut album.  

16.  A Little Bit of Your Love (Doris Duke) - This was on a disco box set I recently bought.  I'd never heard this 1975 single, but love the classic soul influences on display here.  

17.  Carol (the Eagles) - Also from 1975, this is from the Deluxe Edition of the "One of These Nights" album.  The Eagles cover Chuck Berry, and do a great job with it!

18.  Door (Conan Gray) - Speaking of Deluxe Editions, Conan just released Wishbone Deluxe.  I can't get enough of this bonus track, written while he was touring last year.  He's also another great artist to catch if he comes to your town!

19.  Sunlight to My Soul (Angelique Kidjo with Soweto Gospel Choir) - Sunny, exotic and happy vibes to close us out for May!  

So that's this month's playlist!  Hope everyone has a great month and I'll see you in June! 

Brant's April 2026 Playlist

Oh, you know...just killin' time and trying to stay away from the pollen!

Okay, I need to start checking the dates of some of these songs I'm finding.  I try to stick with stuff that's come out in the last 12 months, but as I was putting some of this list together I noticed I had songs from 2022, 2024, etc.  My bad.  Maybe the pollen is affecting my judgement.  Anyway, I did get April's list done a skootch early, so hope you enjoy.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Shy Girl (Haute & Freddy) - One of my favorite new bands kicks us off with more of their 80s-inspired synthpop! 

2.  mangetout  /The Dare Remix/ (Wet Leg) - I never would've put these two together, but this remix is fire!!! 

3.  Dance No More (Harry Styles) - I know "Aperture" is his hot new single, but personally I gravitated towards this funky number on his new album.  

4.  Gentleman Blue (Elysia Biro) - Google says she is a "forest nymph masquerading as a singer-songwriter"!  All I know is that I'm loving the jazzy Steely Dan vibes!  

5.  Bedroom Posters (Yellowcard with Good Charlotte) - Florida band gets an assist from early 00s rockers.

6.  Love You All the Same (Dominic Wright) - Catchy pop from Indie singer/songwriter

7.  Spin (OTNES) - Spotify suggested this to me and I immediately saved it before realizing it was from 2022.  Anyway, it's dreamy pop from a Midwestern US artist.  

8.  Other Side (Brent Faiyaz) - I thought this was The Weeknd when I first heard it!  Mid-tempo R&B to get your toes tappin'!

9.  Western Wind (Carly Rae Jepsen) - Another oldie of sorts (also from 2022!).  At first I thought Carly was moving into her "Taylor Swift" phase, but now...who knows?  We need some new music from Carly! I guess the new baby is taking up a lot of her time these days.  

10.  Passenger Seat (Wolf Alice) - Feel good folk-rock from English band. 

11.  Country Sour (Witch Post) - I love hearing these two sing together!  

12.  Hell Without the Flames (Josiah & the Bonnevilles) - It kinda feels like we're all in Hell without the flames these days, but I promised myself I wouldn't get into politics for this playlist!  

13.  Adam (Lotte Gallagher) - One of those songs you want to crank while driving down the highway!  

14.  Blame It on the Moon (Cory Wong with Magic City Hippies) - We last had Cory on our February 2024 playlist but this funky new song is a welcome return!  

15.  Dancing on the Wall (MUNA) -  I've been hearing this a lot on the radio, and never get tired of it!  The latest from this Indie pop trio.  

16.  To Love Somebody (Holly Humberstone) - My friend Zach used a Humberstone song in one of his posts, which reminded me she had a new album out!  I gravitated towards this gloriously resilient, sunny pop tune from the English singer/songwriter.

17.  100 Summers (Rainbow Kitten Surprise) - NC band was on our December 2025 playlist.  This is from the same album - great Southern alt rock.  

18.  Alabama (Caroline Kingsbury) - US pop artist whose visual aesthetic meshes well with Chappell Roan and Haute & Freddy!  This sounds like a Sam Fender song with female vocals - and I mean that as a compliment!

19.  Crimes of Passion (St. Lucia) - Brooklyn band and frequent Brantworld listees close us out with some anthemic dance-pop!  

So that's April!  Hope everyone has stocked up on allergy medication, and has a great Spring!  See you in May.  

Brant's February/March 2026 Playlist

This puppy I got at the Netflix yard sale has
proven to be UNTRAINABLE! 

Late again!  Maybe I should go to quarterly playlists instead of monthly.  This one is so late I'm just calling it February/March.  Life has gotten so hectic and stressful -  we've had two back-to-back winter storms, costs are going up, income is going down.  By the time I get home I just want to curl up in a ball on the couch.  I did finally pull some songs together - I'm just working at a decreased capacity these days.  It's a little bit of everything.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.  

1.  Don't Include Me {American Dream} (Michael Marcagi) - Cinncinati singer/songwriter kicks us off with some melancholy folk/rock.  

2.  Water Underground (Real Estate) - We last had them on our May 2020 playlist, and now this Indie band is back with more glorious retro stylings!  This is evoking memories of Simon & Garfunkel, the Byrds, and other 1960s bands.  

3.  Florida Man (Gatlin) - Female singer/songwriter has been dropping songs for a few years now, but this is from her first proper album.  Can't wait to hear more from her! 

4.  Lucky Again (Lykke Li) - The latest from Swedish pop star!  

5.  Dance the Pain Away (Haute & Freddy) - This duo has written for everyone from Katy Perry to Britney Spears.  Now they've struck out on their own with some deliciously eccentric 80's-styled dance pop.  

6.  things u h8 abt me (Squid the Kid) - Enigmatic young hip hop artist returns with some funky pop to keep you on the dance floor. 

7.  Devotion (SG Lewis & TEED) - Another selection from this English artist/producer's latest album.  In case you were wondering (I was!) - TEED stands for Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs! 

8.  Delulu (KiiKii) - I love me some K-pop!  This girl group made their debut last year and totally delivered the happy K-pop sound I've come to enjoy.

9.  Liftin' Me Up (Jill Scott) - The queen is back!!!  Rejoice! 

10.  Post Sex Clarity (Lola Young) - Well-deserved Grammy winner is back with more of her signature confessional pop!

11.  I've Got a Broken Heart (the Lemon Twigs) - Another group I enjoyed in 2020 returns with this catchy tune!  

12.  Chimera (the Alarm) - I knew this group mostly from the song "68 Guns", and was pleasantly surprised to see they had a new song out.  Unfortunately lead singer Mike Peters died soon after the song was recorded - so the future of the band seems uncertain at best.  It's still a great finale for a great band.  

13.  Talk to Me Baby (the Bluetonics) - European (I'm guessing Swedish?) trio serves up some bluesy Americana! 

14.  I Don't Want to Go Home (Kita Alexander) - Australian singer/songwriter has a knack for catchy melodies and singalong choruses.  

15.  Dirty Work (King Princess) - Unexpected Steely Dan cover by Brooklyn artist. 

16.  Heavy Foot (Mon Rovîa) - Liberian artist known for blending "Afro-Apppalachian folk with Americana". 

17.  Lonely Night (Trousdale) - We had them on last March's playlist, and now this Country-Pop band is back with more beautiful harmonies. 

18.  I Kinda Like That (Laundry Day) - I'm getting Weezer vibes from this NYC band, and not mad about it! 

19.  Cute Aggression (Perrie) - Another endearing selection from former Little Mix singer's solo album. 

20.  I'm Not Going Anywhere (Morgana) - Haunting vocals over driving electronic beats from Irish singer/songwriter.  I can totally hear a Kate Bush influence.  

21.  Starlight (Sumner) - Australian duo closes us out with some upbeat pop!  

So that's our February/March playlist!  Hopefully I'll be back on schedule by April.  See you then! 

Brant's January 2026 Playlist

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.