Brant's August 2015 Playlist

Photo by Jamel Shabazz

Summer is in full swing!  Facebook and Instagram are awash with photos of friends at the beach or playing outside somewhere, and you can almost hear the blender firing up as people mix their favorite smoothies and frozen beverages.  Just make sure Bill Cosby isn't your bartender!  And speaking of mixes - I think this month's playlist has a fairly balanced mix of pop, soul, and country.  Hope you enjoy!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Closure (Jill Scott) - When did funk get so funny?!?!  Jill gives Mr. Wrong a kiss-off (but not before using him for some nookie).  I love the sprinklers you can hear at the end as the poor dude is knocking at her door trying to get back inside!

2.  Come and Get It (John Newman) - Is it just me, or is England putting out some great soul music???

3.  Shine (Years and Years) - We had them on June's playlist, but they're back with another danceable ditty!

4.  Friday I'm In Love (Yo La Tengo) - Long-time Indie band pays tribute to the Cure with this gorgeous acoustic interpretation.

5.  Sunday Morning (A Thousand Horses) - Fantastic up-and-coming band sounds like the Black Crowes at their peak!

6.  Walking In the Rain (Cheryl Ladd) - One of Charlie's Angels singing the Ronettes???  YES, please!  Stumbled across this on Soundcloud while surfing music - from her 1978 self-titled album.

7.  Hooked On You (Parov Stelar featuring Timothy Auld) - Handsome Austrian DJ serves up some mid-tempo electronic grooves.

8.  Shut Up and Dance (Walk the Moon) - This sounds like one of those great 1980s party bands whose name you can't quite recall!  The Romantic Hooters?

9.  Everything We Do (Bastian Baker) - Exuberant folk-pop from Switzerland.

10.  Somebody Else Will (Mickey Guyton) - One doesn't see many African-American women singing country music, but after listening to this artist one has to wonder why NOT!

11.  The One (Kodaline) - Piano driven rock anthem from Irish Indie band.

12.  What You Don't Do (Lianne La Havas) - Toe-tapping soul with great vocals by British singer.

13.  I'm Good at Leaving (Ashley Monroe) - I love how Ashley makes no apologies for singing retro-styled country!  Sounds like something you'd hear in a dive bar, and rush up to the jukebox to see who it is.

14.  Dirty Work (Austin Mahone) - YouTube sensation and opening act for Taylor Swift is probably going to be a huge star before long.  Let's enjoy this funky single, and pray he doesn't follow in the footsteps of JBiebs.

15.  All In You (Synapson featuring Anna Kova) - Jazzy disco from French DJs

16.  Make a Scene (Shamir) - Take Grace Jones' minimalist disco and add androgynous Michael Jackson-esque vocals, and you have some idea of what Shamir is laying down!  The cowbell doesn't hurt either!

17.  Pressure Off (Duran Duran with Janelle Monae and Nile Rodgers) - With a team like this, there's no way this could be bad.  And it isn't - it's fantastic.  Thanks, Craig, for calling it to my attention!

So that's August!  Hope everyone is having a great summer, and I'll see you in September (hey - isn't that a song title???).  Deuces!

Brant's July 2015 Playlist

I'm here!!!  I was determined to be on time this month!  This month's playlist has a little bit of everything - blues rock, some retro sounds, and a few familiar faces.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Someone New (Hozier) - We had them way back on last July's playlist.  I guess this is the official follow up to their hit "Take Me to Church".  Great early-70s rock vibes.

2.  Look What They've Done to My Song Ma (Miley Cyrus with Melanie Safka) - I have to give credit to Miley!  She seems determined to introduce her generation to the great music I assume she grew up listening to.  Here she duets with one of my personal faves, Flower Child folk singer Melanie Safka.  Not on Spotify, but you can see the video here.

3.  Future Is Mine (DJ Cassidy with Chromeo) - Fun R&B in the spirit of Earth Wind and Fire or the Spinners.

4.  Ghosttown (Madonna) - Madge delivers another great ballad off her latest Rebel Heart album.

5.  1 2 3 4 (Samantha Urbani) - Did somebody mention Madonna?  Samantha Urbani channels early 80s Madge in this East Coast dance ditty.  Check it out on Soundcloud.

6.    The Dying of the Light (Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds) - Easy, contemplative rock from former Oasis member.

7.  Headlights (Robin Shulz featuring Ilsey) - More fun dance-pop, with yummy Lana Del Rey-ish vocals from singer Ilsey.

8.  Like a River Runs /Jack's 2015 Rework/ (Bleachers) - Slightly tweaked version of the song from their album last year.  The EP also has a cool version of this song performed by Sia.

9.  Millions (Gerard Way) - How did I not know the lead singer from My Chemical Romance put out a solo album?!?!  Anyway, kind of digging the 80s/90s alt rock groove.  Reminds me of the Stone Roses.

10.  Come On, Siobhan (Titus Andronicus) - When I first saw this, I thought the guy from "Kimmie Schmidt" had an album out!  I was wrong (that's Titus Andromedon), but they do have a great Irish pub band sound here that reminds me of the Pogues.

11.  Brown Skin Girl (Leon Bridges) - Retro-60s soul from young Texan.

12.  Both Sides Now (Glen Campbell) - I think one of the saddest things about getting older is seeing your idols slip away.  Glen Campbell is battling Alzheimer's, and Joni Mitchell just had an aneurysm.  Here's the former, singing a song by the latter.  Wishing them both the very best.

13.  Save It (Twin Danger) - Sade saxophonist/musician Stuart Matthewman teams up with singer Vanessa Bley for some delicious jazz.

14.  Renegades (X Ambassadors) - Bluesy alt-rock from Ithaca, NY band

15.  Trying (Bully) - Dare I say this reminds me of early Courtney Love?  Sexy, coquettish vocals devolve into a gritty, throaty chorus.

16.  Day One (Tamia) - Piano driven slow jam from Canadian songstress.  Quite a change in theme from the lady who gave us "Stranger In My House"!

17.  I'll Be There (Chic) - A new Chic album is coming!!!  This lead single admittedly sounds a lot like Sister Sledge's "Got to Love Somebody", but no complaints here!

So that's July!  Hope everyone has a safe Independence Day, and is enjoying their summer.  See you next month!