Brant's April 2018 Playlist

Does this bonnet make my playlist look big?

If there was ever a comeback story, I guess it has to be Easter.  Coming back from the dead is about as good as it gets!  It's kind of poetic that it falls on April Fool's Day this year.  "Guess what?  I'm not dead!  April Fools!!!"  As I was looking over this month's tunes, I noticed a lot of comebacks.  Chris Collingwood from Fountains of Wayne in the 00s, Lisa Stansfield and Meshell Ndegeocello from the 1990s, Jimmy Somerville from the 1980s, and 1970s rockers Fanny with their newly christened group, Fanny Walked the Earth!  I guess it's never too late to put yourself back in the spotlight.  So without further adieu, let's put this month's playlist in the spotlight!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Alfie's Song /Not So Typical Love Song/ (Bleachers) - Jack Antonoff gets our Easter hoppin' with some festive Indie Pop from the Love, Simon Soundtrack.

2.  Laughing Gas (the Fratellis) - Scottish rockers, whose band is named after the criminal family in "the Goonies" serve up some danceable alt-rock vibes.

3.  Short Court Style (Natalie Prass) - I put her cover of Anita Baker's "Caught Up in the Rapture" on my December 2015 playlist, so what a treat to have Natalie Prass back with more R&B-flavored pop!

4.  Don't Disturb This Groove (Meshell Ndegeocello) - Her latest album, "Ventriloquism", is full of delicious covers so it was hard to choose just one!  In the end, I chose this unexpected interpretation of The System's 1987 hit.

5.  Cookie Jar (Chris Collingwood) - Fountains of Wayne founding member records under his own name for 2009 tribute album "Ciao My Shining Star".

6.  Overload /Extended Version/ (Jimmy Somerville) - Spotify suggested this to me, and I'll be eternally grateful.  I've always loved Jimmy, since his days with Bronski Beat and the Communards.  I had no idea he had released this album in 2015, entitled "Homage", which was recorded in loving tribute to the disco music he adored as a teenager.  The songs are all new, but inspired by and recorded using the lush orchestrations common from that era.  This extended version always gets me going - I'd love for someone to mash it up with Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough"!

7.  Everything (Lisa Stansfield) - Funky new new from the glorious Lisa Stansfield!  She sounds as good as ever.

8.  Real Love (Jesse Royal) - Reggae slow-jam from Jamaican star.

9.  Lil' Girl's Name (Charley Crockett) - Former New Orleans street performer brings some rootsy vibes to his country blues music (and yes, he's related to Davy Crockett).

10.  Lured Away (Fanny Walked the Earth) - Back in the day, Fanny was part of the 1970s Los Angeles music scene.  Crazy that they never made it big, but it's great to hear them again!

11.  I Feel Like I'm Drowning (Two Feet) - NYC singer/songwriter Zachary William Dess keeps the blues/rock feels going with his latest single.

12.  Today Is the Day (Eels) - Long-running Indie rock band is going strong with this new single from their 12th studio album.

13.  Bad Bad News (Leon Bridges) - Jazzy retro-funk from Texas artist.

14.  In the Rain (Le Flex) - I just featured another Le Flex tune on my February 2018 playlist, but this London artist is putting out music faster than I can keep up with!  Love his easy synth-pop stylings!

15.  Have You Never Been Mellow? (Juliana Hatfield) - Is there anyone out there who doesn't love Olivia Newton-John?!?  If so - I hope I never meet them.  Juliana Hatfield's latest is chock full of loving tributes to ONJ.  I was psyched to see she included some of Olivia's 1970s hits (like this one!) in addition to the great 1980s songs like "Physical" and "Xanadu".

16.  Little Sister (Trixie Mattel) - RuPaul's Drag Race contestant proves she is a solid songwriter in addition to being a drag superstar!  Shantay, you stay!

17.  Bye Bye Darling (BØRNS) - 1970s style ballad from Michigan glam-rocker.

So that's April's Playlist (no foolin'!).  Hope everyone has a glorious Spring and I'll see you in May!

Brant's March 2018 Playlist

Phew!  I'm a few days late on this one.  I knew February was going to be a busy month, and unfortunately fun activities like exploring new music had to take a back seat.  Anyway, all is back to normal now, so let's get into it!  Last month skewed a little towards R&B, and this month I kept the beats going with a focus on dance and electronica.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Make Me Feel (Janelle Monáe) - America's favorite cyborg is back with some Prince-inspired funk!  The video is awesome too.

2.  Out of Love /Jaded Remix/ (Indiia feat. Whitney Phillips) - Island-y beats from Stockholm duo.

3.  Faded Heart (BØRNS) - Michigan artist is back with a sophomore album, and I was totally digging the Glam rock vibes on this new tune.

4.  My Enemy (Chvrches with Matt Berninger) - The National's lead singer stops by the studio to duet with festival buddies Chvrches!

5.  Until We Get There (Lucius) - Angelic vocals over an easy, 1970s-sounding acoustic guitar track.

6.  Ripple (Roots of Creation with G. Love and Special Sauce and Melvin Seals) - Grateful Dead staple is reimagined as a reggae jam, and I can already tell this will be on heavy rotation for me as summer approaches!

7.  All On My Mind (Anderson East) - Southern soul singer is back with this emotive ballad.

8.  My My My! (Troye Sivan) - I actually had this on last month's playlist, but bumped it because its reverb-heavy vocals didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the songs.  It seems much more at home on this month's list!  Great pop performance from openly gay Australian singer/actor.

9.  Valerie (Ra Ra Riot) - File this under "Songs I Never Thought I'd Hear Covered".  From 2012, but it popped up on Pandora and I liked it.  Indie band cover the 1980s Steve Winwood hit.

10.  More of the Same (Caroline Rose) - Urban ennui has never sounded so intriguing!

11.  The Good Life (Blossom Dearie) - I finally tracked down Blossom's 1963 album, "Blossom Dearie Sings Rootin' Songs"!  She recorded it for Hires Root Beer immediately after leaving the Verve label, and it was never widely distributed, which is unfortunate because it has some choice tunes on it.  Here she sings the Tony Bennett classic in her own intimate style.  Not on Spotify (obviously) but you can listen to it here.

12.  How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore (Danielle Nicole) - The often covered Prince song gets a bluesy treatment from former Trampled Under Foot singer/bassist.

13.  Don't Matter Now (George Ezra) - Peppy first single from the English singer/songwriter's sophomore album!

14.   Rosebud (U.S. Girls) - Breathy vocals over a disco-flavored track that vaguely reminds me of "I'll Be Around" by the Spinners.

15.  Have a Seat (En Vogue feat. Snoop Dogg) - I had no idea they were doing a comeback album!  This sassy tune feels true to their legacy, while also evoking memories of earlier girl groups like Diana Ross and the Supremes!  Viva En Vogue!!!

16.  Dancing /Initial Talk Remix/ (Kylie Minogue) - I love Kylie already, but especially gravitated towards this glorious 80s-influenced remix.  Thanks to Gary for bringing it to my attention!

17.  Make You Mine (Saint Wknd feat. Boy Matthews) - German artist delivers some 90s-influenced dance pop to get your Saint Paddy's Day party shakin'!

18.  Feedback Loop (CHAPPO) - Indie rockers close us out with this toe-tappin', slightly psychedelic jam. 

So that's March!  Hope everyone has a safe and festive St. Patrick's Day.  See ya next month!