Brant's April 2013 Playlist

Last month's playlist was retro and crunchy, so this month the pendulum swung in the opposite direction.  We've got some slick R&B, some Euro pop and other smooth grooves.  Pour yourself a Pinot Noir and enjoy!

1.  Lose You Tonight (Kristina Train) - Dreamy vocals soar over piano driven soft rock.  The musical equivalent of a sunset.

2.  Nights (Sy Smith with Rahsaan Patterson) - Smith has spent years singing back up for artists like Whitney Houston and Brandy.  Here she pairs up with Rahsaan Patterson for some funky electronic soul.

3.  Fade Away (Selah Sue) - Obsessed with this song!!!  Love its slinky Eartha Kitt sexiness.

4.  Rewind (Devlin featuring Diane Birch) - I wanted this for last month's playlist, but it wasn't released until I'd published it.  No worries - now we can enjoy it in April.  Birch lends her soulful voice to Devlin's British rap.

5.  High School Lover (Cayucas) - One of those songs that sounds retro and new at the same time!  Peppy garage rock from Santa Monica band.

6.  Please Don't Say You Love Me (Gabrielle Aplin) - Light and airy ballad from 20 year old singer/songwriter.

7.  Oh My Lord (Steve Mason) - Not sure where I heard this, but I like its easy electronic sound.  Imagine a hybrid of Scissor Sisters and Alan Parsons Project!

8.  Everything Is Embarrassing (Sky Ferreira) - I almost overlooked this one, but Gary called it to my attention.  More 80's goodness (she was also on last month's playlist) from LA model/actress.

9.  Call Me a Hole (Nine Inch Nails vs. Carly Rae Jepsen) - First saw this on my friend Patricio's Facebook wall.  Deliciously diabolical mashup of NIN and CRJ.  Free download at http://official.fm/tracks/PCKP

10.  Pompeii (Bastille) - Facebook music feed is responsible for this one.  My friend Jason was listening to it.  Very Icicle Works sound - soaring chorus and pounding percussion.

11. Chocolate (The 1975) - This has been on fairly high rotation on Sirius.  Perky alt rock.

12.  Sacrilege (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) - NEW Yeah Yeah Yeahs!!!  This owes a small debt to Madonna's "Like a Prayer" but has its own twisted take on the religion-themed dance  anthem.

13.  I Have Never Loved Someone (My Brightest Diamond) - This is a weird one, but it has its appeal.  Kinda Regina Spektor-ish.

14.  Walking in Your Footsteps (Shout Out Louds) - I think the Swedish band has reclaimed their place in my heart with this charming song.  Just when you thought Jethro Tull had cornered the market on rock-flute accompaniments.

15.  Don't Rush (Kelly Clarkson with Vince Gill) - The first time I heard this, I thought the radio station had somehow gotten switched to an 80's easy-listening channel.  This totally sounds like the stuff my mom used to listen to back in the day.  Think "Whenever I Call You Friend" by Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks or "An American Dream" by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

16.  Heard It All (Illy) - Funky hip hop from Australian rapper.

17.  The One (Alice Smith) - Seven years after her debut album, Alice is back with a new batch of soul songs.  Here, she gets her Minnie Riperton on with a slow jam.

18.  Recovery (Frank Turner) - Rollicking folk-rock that seamlessly works Seratonin boosters and smelling salts into the lyrics!

19.  My Number (Foals) - Another one that has been getting a lot of play on the radio - but I love its new-wave beat.

So that's April!  Assuming the pollen doesn't kill me - I'll see you in May!