I'm not gonna lie - there's a lot going on in Brantworld right about now. World Cup, 4th of July, "Devious Maids", "Orange Is the New Black", and other distractions. But that's no reason not to share some great new music. I'm a day late, so let's get started! To listen on Spotify click HERE.
1. Rollercoaster (Bleachers) - Side project of Jack Antonoff, who is currently in the group Fun ("Some Nights"). Every bit as fun (pun intended!) as his original band!
2. Fancy (Iggy Azalea vs. Reba McEntire) - Chambaland's delicious mash-up of Australian hip-hop star's recent hit with Reba's classic of the same name. Free download at his blog.
3. Paper Girl (July Talk) - Ever wonder who will be the new millennium's Wolfman Jack? I think this band could be the answer!
4. No Angel (Birdy) - The latest amazeball talent to come out of England, following Adele and Sam Smith. America, you got some catching up to do!
5. Chocolate Strawberries (Cherub) - Tasty mid-tempo electronica from Nashville.
6. Living In a Box (Bobby Womack) - The R&B legend passed away last month, so I began digging through his songbook. This song is certainly not representative of his best work, but it was a surprise to find him covering the 1980s band of the same name. Sometimes it's just fun to see what an artist is into!
7. What I Am I Am (Pete Molinari) - I already was in love with this singer/songwriter, but I'd swear he is channeling George Harrison on this folk spiritual!
8. Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene (Hozier) - More rock spirituals, from Irish musician's aptly titled "Take Me to Church" EP.
9. Dark Sunglasses (Chrissie Hynde) - This was an unexpected find!!! Longtime lead singer of the Pretenders goes solo and sounds as great as ever!
10. Hey Sailor (the Detroit Cobras) - The first of two songs I discovered through television! This one was on the soundtrack of "Angel". Fantastic adrenaline-charged garage rock.
11. All of Me /Tiesto's Birthday Treatment Mix/ (John Legend) - R&B crooner is dragged onto the dancefloor courtesy of Dutch DJ Tiesto!
12. Feel It (Bright Light Bright Light) - Jeff turned me on to this guy. He's got a new album coming out, but I love the 90s retro sounds of this tune from his 2012 album "Make Me Believe in Hope".
13. Apples and Cigarettes (Kitten) - Speaking of the 90s, this one reminds me of early Sinead O'Connor! Crazy-strong vocals from lead singer Chloe Chaidez.
14. Zigzagging Toward the Light (Conor Oberst) - We had Conor on last month's playlist, but there was way too much choice material on his latest album not to include him again.
15. Crazy Eyes for You (Bobby Hamilton) - Lost 1950's tune gets a revival courtesy of "Orange Is the New Black", which features a delightfully wacky character named Crazy Eyes.
16. My Silver Lining (First Aid Kit) - Grand cowgirl country that would make Kitty Wells smile!
17. Hey Boy (Goapele) - Easy poolside lounging music from Oakland, California soul singer.
18. Pink Houses (John Cougar Mellencamp) - Not specifically a 4th of July song, but I wanted to include something patriotic. This is one of my personal faves from the 1980s - a love song to Middle America.
So that's July! Everyone stay safe and happy. See you in August!
