Brant's April 2019 Playlist

This Cheese Challenge is totally ruining my Easter pics. 
And here I thought the pollen was the worst thing I'd have to deal with...

We are deep into pollen season, so obviously I'm spending as much time INDOORS as possible.  Bad for my tan, but good for my playlists.  Last month was R&B heavy, so this month I found myself leaning into rock.  I also found a few African and reggae jams that got me movin'!  So let's go ahead and dive in.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Lo/Hi (the Black Keys) - Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney are back with more muscular classic rock to get your Camaro revved up!

2.  Little Bit of Lovin' (Elle King) - Another act I've been impatiently awaiting, and there is no sign of a sophomore slump here.  Gospel overtones in this tune bring to mind the Rolling Stones' classic "You Can't Always Get What You Want" but it's nowhere near as wistful.

3.  Get Out and Get It (Devon Gilfillian) - After hearing this African funk jam, I was shocked to find out the artist was from Nashville!  According to an NPR story, Gilfillian loves "Nigerian psychedelic Afro-rock" and decided to incorporate those sounds into his new single.

4.  Goodie Bag (Still Woozy) - I heard this on Aidy Bryant's fantastic new show "Shrill" and had to have it!  Funky slow jam from Oakland, CA artist Sven Gamsky.

5.  Mr. Telephone (the Mowgli's) - We had "Norman Rockwell" on last month's playlist, but their new EP was too good not to include another tune!  Sunny pop from LA band.

6.  Tears (Nilüfer Yanya) - Jazzy New Wave pop from young Londoner.

7.  Only Us (Ben Levi Ross and Taylor Trensch) - I finally saw "Dear Evan Hansen" last month and loved it (even though it's a serious tear-jerker!).  Soon after, a friend shared a video with me of lead actor Ben Levi Ross singing one of the most well-known songs from the show with his partner Taylor Trensch (who ALSO plays the lead, but in the NYC production).  It's not on Spotify, but definitely worth checking out.  Soooooo adorable!  It should be a bonus track for the show's soundtrack.  You can see it HERE.

8.  Saying Goodbye (JS Ondara) - Kenyan artist gives us all the feels with this gorgeous ballad.

9.  Spinout /the Math Club Remix/ (Glen Campbell) - You would think the words "Glen Campbell" and "remix" would never be found in the same recording - but this loungy remix of one of his lesser known songs is a total banger!!!

10.  Now That I Found You (Carly Rae Jepsen) - Carly is back with more exuberant pop and we all (well, at least I) am rejoicing!

11.  Taxman /Live/ (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) - Because it's tax season, and because both George Harrison and Tom Petty were awesome.

12.  Everywhere (Roosevelt) - Brantworld fave covers the amazing and underrated Christine McVie!

13.  Things Are Changing (Gone Gone Beyond and the Human Experience) - Soulful vocals over chill electronica.

14.  What She's Done to Your Mind (the Three O'Clock) - I adore this band and the Paisley Underground, so I was thrilled to see a new compilation album of these bands covering their favorite tunes from this era.  Highly recommend the whole album!  Here, the Three O'Clock cover the Rain Parade classic from 1983.

15.  She Work Very Hard (Ibibio Sound Machine) - Slamming afro-funk from London band.  It's like Donna Summer meets Manu Dibango!

16.  Foolish Love (the Green) - Hawaiian reggae band serves up acoustic jam with a side of delicious harmonies!

17.  Fake Smile (Ariana Grande) - Pop stars are so much more interesting when their lives fall apart!  I never paid attention to Ariana until her breakup with Pete Davidson, but it's given her some great material for her music!  Here, she samples Wendy Rene's 1964 song "After Laughter Comes Tears" while singing of the struggle to put on a happy face in public while your heart is broken.

18.  Tenderness (General Public) - We lost Ranking Roger in March, so I had to include one of my fave songs from his band.  RIP.

19.  Bellevue Bridge Club (Andrew Bird) - Indie rocker closes us out with a slow-burning anthem about confrontations and close relations.  Not exactly cheery, but it is a great song!

So that's April!  May the Easter Bunny AND the IRS be good to everyone.  Watch out for flying cheese.  See you next month!