Hmmm...the days are getting noticeably shorter, and posts about pumpkin spice coffee are starting to appear on my Facebook feed. Summer is winding down! But there's still time to relax on the hood of your muscle car and crank some tunes on the Pontiac stereo. So let's get to it! To listen on Spotify, click HERE.
1. Everyday (Diane Coffee) - I usually start my day off with coffee, so why not start this month's playlist off with some Diane Coffee? Foxygen drummer treats us to some 70s influenced pop that sounds like a lost track from Rocky Horror.
2. Empty Heart (Grace Potter) - She named her new album "Midnight", but ironically there is no sign of the Nocturnals. I think some of her longterm fans are struggling with the pop vibe, but I am finding it hard to resist this clap-along gospel number.
3. Whip It! (Lunchmoney Lewis feat. Chloe Angelides) - Hip Hop artist follows up his hit "Bills" with another toe tapping party tune.
4. I Can Change (Brandon Flowers) - I had the Killers lead singer on May's playlist, but this delicious Bronski Beat-sampling new song has him back on heavy rotation! He canceled a recent show in Charlotte, but I'm hoping to catch him if/when he reschedules.
5. Easy Heaven (The Cure vs. the Commodores) - Twisted but brilliant mashup of the Cure anthem "Just Like Heaven" with the Commodores' "Easy". Not on Spotify but you can read more about it and hear it HERE.
6. Pan American Boogie (the Delmore Brothers) - I was lucky enough to catch Ry Cooder touring with Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White. The show highlights classic country songs from the early years up through 1965. This was one of the songs they performed, and I fell in love with it. Hopefully an album from this tour will be released! Until then, I have this quirky original.
7. Empty Bottle (Veruca Salt) - This year, the band released their first album since 1997 with the original members! I enjoyed most of the new material, but this one tune really stood out for me. J'adore it's mix of danger and doubt.
8. Radioactive (Madilyn Bailey) - Singer gives Imagine Dragons' 2012 anthem the acoustic treatment, with delightful results. I'd have put this on my playlist even if we didn't have the same birthday!
9. Wives and Lovers (Cecile McLorin Salvant) - Eric turned me on to this consistently on fleek jazz singer, and I'll be forever grateful. Love her version of this Burt Bacharach classic! The song always stirs up mixed emotions in me - are we wrong to excuse husbands for straying, or does the blame really lie with the wives who have grown complacent in their marriages and let themselves go to pot?
10. Surrender (Gavin Turek and TOKiMONSTA) - MySpace may be dead as far as a social media platform, but it does create some great musical collaborations. These two LA singers met there and are making beautiful music together. Perfect for those last few sunny days at the pool before autumn sets in.
11. Don't Worry (Madcon feat. Ray Dalton) - Norwegian duo gets your Labor Day (or any other day) party started!
12. Dear John (MC Lyte feat. Common and 10 Beats) - Female rap legend is back and SCHOOLING these younger kids on how it's done! From her new album appropriately titled "Legend", currently available only on vinyl. You can hear this track on Soundcloud HERE.
13. Cocoon (Catfish and the Bottlemen) - Admittedly, they had me with their band's name, but I will say the UK is putting out some great rock music these days (see also: the Strypes).
14. Snakeskin (Deerhunter) - Finally the answer to the question on everybody's lips: What would it sound like if Creedence Clearwater Revival and Red Hot Chili Peppers had a kid together?
15. Boy Problems (Carly Rae Jepsen) - Ms. Jepsen is generating tons of buzz with her newest album, and deservedly so! It was hard to pick just one song to add to this month's playlist. Sassy soul that pays homage to 80s songbirds like Deniece Williams and Jody Watley.
16. Written in the Water (Gin Wigmore) - New Zealander is back with more bluesy rock. I can't help but think somewhere out there is a drag queen kicking herself for not coming up with this name first.
17. If You Kiss Jesus (Robin Skouteris) - It's my birthday month, so I'm going to indulge myself by adding one final mashup. This is a great collage of Britney, Katy Perry, Soft Cell, Depeche Mode and other yummy ingredients - all built around the framework of Brit's 2008 hit "If You Seek Amy". Not on Spotify, but you can enjoy it HERE.
So that's another month in the bag! Hope everyone has a fun and safe Labor Day, and I'll see you in October!
So that's another month in the bag! Hope everyone has a fun and safe Labor Day, and I'll see you in October!
