Brant's November 2018 Playlist

New music always gets a thumbs up!  Mitch McConnell?  Not so much.  

Okay - now that Halloween is behind me and I've voted - time for a new playlist!  I actually had a tough time pulling together this month's list, due in part to the fact that all the new music seemed to be Christmas albums!!!  It's not even December, people!  Let's give everyone time to put away their Halloween decorations and enjoy Thanksgiving before we start breaking out the holly.  Plus, I always like to have had my flu shot before I start kissing people under the mistletoe.

Anyway - here's this month's list.  Last month was R&B heavy, so this month I found myself leaning towards the rock offerings.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  You're the One (Greta Van Fleet) - I'm starting to notice some pushback from music lovers, who report that this young band's Led Zeppelin sound is starting to feel rote.  I certainly see their point, but good songs are good songs - and I'm digging this one.  Can't wait to catch them live on this current tour.

2.  Blue Again (Weakened Friends) - Maybe it's because I grew up in the age of Punk and Grunge Rock, but there will always be a place in Brantworld for this kind of unhinged female vocals and growling guitars!  Nothing weak here!

3.  Resting Bitch Face (Boy George and Culture Club) - I was lucky enough to catch them this summer on tour, and it was worth the wait.  Boy George's voice is shockingly lower in register, but all of the feeling still comes through.  The band has always been known for tackling different genres of music (bluegrass with "Karma Chameleon" and the gentle reggae of "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?"), but to my knowledge they've never done anything with this Memphis Soul vibe.  At a time when so many of the stars of the 80s are no longer with us, we're fortunate to have Boy George still around and still taking chances with his music.

4.  The Wave (Lion Babe with Leikeli47) - Funky soul workout from American duo.

5.  Tongue Tied (Earl) - This popped up on a streaming app and I was instantly #obsessed.  The swing sound of the last millennium gets a 21st century update, with glorious results! 

6.  Strawberry Lover (Mazarati) - My quest to own everything Paisley Park continues!  Mazarati is best known for the song they didn't get - Prince's signature song "Kiss".  They still managed to put together a solid album back in 1986, however.  This psychedelic soul ditty (with lyrics by Prince!) was a standout for me.  Not on Spotify, but you can listen to it HERE.

7.  Boogie All Night (Chic with Nao) - Nile Rodgers is still going strong, serving up fun, danceable grooves - this time with an assist from British singer Nao.  BTW - why did we EVER stop saying "boogie"???   

8.  Best Years of My Life (Pistol Annies) - Country supergroup returns with gorgeously despondent harmonies and tales of suburban ennui.

9.  We Might As Well Dance (Madeleine Peyroux) - I had "Party Tyme" on last month's list, but I can't get enough of Peyroux's latest album chronicling life in the modern era!  "Party Tyme" had a snarky, ironic tone - but this one soothes us with quiet resignation.

10.  1999 (Charli XCX and Troye Sivan) - Not to be confused with the Prince song "1999" (which looked forward),  this duet looks back with nostalgia at the last year of the previous millennium.  Percolating pop from two of today's most engaging artists.

11.  make you feel pretty (lovelytheband) - Handclaps and singalong chorus from LA indie band.

12.  Not Many Miles to Go (Rosanne Cash) - Introspective lyrics and a toe-tapping melody, from well-respected songwriter and Country music royalty.

13.  Are You Okay? (Winnetka Bowling League) - Wistful dream pop from LA band (Gossip Alert:  singer and songwriter Matthew Koma is Hilary Duff's baby daddy!!!).

14.  (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang (LCD Soundsystem) - Well-known Brooklyn band covers Heaven 17's frenetic political hit, which is sadly relevant again!

15.  Before You Get a Boyfriend (Phony PPL) - Delicious R&B vocals with a dash of hip hop.

16.  Heart to Break (Kim Petras) - Transgender German pop diva delivers some fearless danceable sass to burn off those Thanksgiving calories!

17.  Love Like Ours (Estelle with Tarrus Riley) - London singer closes us out with some easy reggae.

So that's November's list!  Hope everyone has a great month, and get out there and VOTE today!!!  If you need transportation - many car, bike, and scooter sharing companies like Lyft and Lime are offering discounted rides to the polls.  Or if you know a Mark Harris supporter - maybe he'll loan you his servant wife so she can drive you.  See you next month!