Brant's March 2021 Playlist

 

When I said I needed a Lyft, this wasn't what I had in mind...

After two late playlists in a row, I was determined to get this one published on time!  Mission accomplished.  This time around, I found myself gravitating towards slick R&B and electronic beats - probably trying to get one last dance in before the pollen knocks me on my toosh!  But as always there's a mix of stuff I've found in the last month.  So let's dive in!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Time (SG Lewis feat. Rhye) - UK artist has worked with everyone from Dua Lipa to LANY!  Here, he teams up with Canadian R&B act (and frequent Brantworld playlistee) Rhye for some runway-ready funk.  

2.  Flowers /Sunship Radio Edit/ (Sweet Female Attitude) - I heard this slick soul track on the soundtrack to the excellent "I May Destroy You" and immediately had to download it!  

3.  Does It Make You Feel Good?  (Joesef) - We had his cover of Sister Sledge on last month's playlist, so I decided to check out some of Joesef's own material and was immediately hooked.  It feels like an updated Philly soul tune.   

4.  Out of Love /Harrison Remix/ (Busty and the Bass feat. Macy Gray) - It makes me happy to know Macy is still out there doing her thang, but it also makes me happy to know there's a band out there called Busty and the Bass!  

5.  Antidote (Nao feat. Adekunle Gold) - Lord knows in the middle of a pandemic, we all need an antidote, and happily Nao and Nigerian artist Adekunle Gold were willing to provide one.  Smooth vocals over delicate percussion. 

6.  Up All Night (Aaron Lee Tasjan) - This is giving me Traveling Wilburys vibes and I'm loving it. 

7.  Auburn (Goody Grace) - Indie rock from young Canadian.

8.  Gasoline (HAIM feat. Taylor Swift) - The Haim sisters get a vocal assist from T-Swizzle, who has to be the busiest woman in quarantine these days!!!  Thanks, Zach, for bringing this tune to my attention.  

9.  It's Never Been a Fair Fight (Craig Finn) - Hold Steady frontman releases a collection of outtakes, demos, and other solo recordings.  It's mellower than the Hold Steady stuff, but no less entertaining.  

10.  My Window (Lucky Daye feat. Mahalia) - I love a good R&B duet and this tune certainly fits the bill!  

11.  Big (Rita Ora feat. Gunna, David Guetta, and Imanbek) - Rita teams up with several artists remotely during quarantine and the results sound as good as anything she could've done in person.  Technology is amazing.

12.  Echoes (Roosevelt) - The new Roosevelt album is here and I am rejoicing!  This tune especially stood out, with it's spacey 1980s vibes.  Perfect for watching the Mars rover explore the Red Planet.  

13.  Uh-huh (Litany) - Funky, minimalist beats from London artist.

14.  Faith Healer (Julien Baker) - Young, introspective Tennessee singer packs an emotional wallop on this latest offering.

15.  Kicking Over Bottles (Beach Slang) - I missed this when it came out last year, so here 'tis!  Vibrant alt rock to shake off your angst. 

16.  I Could Spend a Lifetime (Begonia, E.GG and deadmen) - Trippy beats and jazzy vocals are basically the equivalent of aural Xanax (in all the best ways). 

17.  Glam! (Allie X) - The best 80s pop song to come out in 2021!  Gary turned me on to this and it was the first tune I set aside for March.  

18.  Drunk and I Don't Wanna Go Home (Elle King with Miranda Lambert) - I have loved both of these women individually, so it's no surprise that I love them together.  And the video is a delight!  

19.  Hold On (Yola with the Highwomen feat. Sheryl Crow) - This is another example of fantabulous women teaming up to make fantabulous music!  Soulful gospel-country vibes to close us out.  

So that's March's playlist!  Hope everyone has a great month, and let's hope the COVID vaccines are coming soon.  I miss concerts and live music.  See ya next month!

Brant's February 2021 Playlist

When the #ThenAndNowChallenge takes you from Bunny to Bernie!

How has it only been one month since the last playlist?!?!  It feels like six.  We lost Cloris Leachman and Cicely Tyson, had an insurrection at the Capitol, and got a new President!  We've also got a new playlist.  I guess with all the chaos, I was leaning towards easy grooves and comforting folk-rock.  Anyway, here 'tis, and to listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Balenciaga (New West) - Aspirational dream pop to get us started on a positive note!

2.  Officer of Love (Caamp) - Athens, Ohio folk band keeps the mellow vibes going.

3.  In the Air (the California Honeydrops) - Oakland band serves up some 1970s soft rock vibes. 

4.  Dance Alone (Tayla Parx) - "Thank U, Next" songwriter steps up to the mike and proves she can do catchy pop all by herself!

5.  Strangers (Roosevelt) - 2021 will be gifting us a new Roosevelt album, so at least we have that to look forward to!  This is an early release from the new album.  

6.  Lifetime (Romy) - Reminds me of the early 90s club tunes I used to enjoy back in the day!

7.  On the Lookout (Neil Frances feat. Rafaella) - Percolating pop from West Coast duo. 

8.  Sword from a Stone (Passenger) - Melancholy folk from English singer/songwriter.

9.  Smalltown Boy (Orville Peck) - Unexpected Bronski Beat cover from up and coming Canadian artist! I would never have thought to put a Country and Western twist on this tune, but it works!  

10.  What a Magical Night (Gunhild Carling) - I love me some Gunhild!  Old school jazz flavors to pair with your Valentine's Day celebration.  

11.  What Makes Me Think About You (Nicolas Godin) - I loved Air back in the day!  Now one of the original members has gone solo, and offers up this robotic, atmospheric delight.  

12.  Not My Life (Nolie) - Indie pop star sings about going through the motions but not really being okay, which seems pretty relevant as we enter Year Two of the pandemic!

13.  Incapable /Dmitri from Paris and Aeroplane Remix/ (Róisín Murphy) - We had Róisín on last month's playlist, and I'm still digging tracks off her new album - including this deelish remix!  

14.  <Insert Girls Name Here> (the Luka State) - Energetic rock from Cheshire band

15.  On It (Jazmine Sullivan and Ari Lennox) - Apparently "WAP" opened the floodgates for sex-positive female anthems!  And the R&B vocals are impeccable!  

16.  In the Morning (MOKS feat. Kepler) - I couldn't find out much about this Dance artist, but heard it on Pandora and liked it!  

17.  Holy (Rhye) - Canadian R&B act gets an angelic assist from the Danish National Girls' Choir!   

18.  Run It (My Morning Jacket) - From cherubs to classic rock!  Brantworld is home to all.

19.  Right On (Devon Gilfillian, Nickie Conley, and Davie) - What better way to celebrate Black History Month than a spot-on cover of a Marvin Gaye deep cut!  I'll definitely be keeping an eye on future projects by Devon Gilfillian!

20.  BONUS TRACK:  Thinking of You (Joesef) - This is apparently a Spotify exclusive, which is a shame because I'd gladly hand over $1.29 to own this fantabulous Sister Sledge cover!  I included it anyway even though I prefer owning versus streaming.  Think of it as my Valentine's gift to you!

So that's February's playlist!  After January, Lord knows what this month has in store for us - but I'll be looking for you on the other side!  Happy Groundhog's Day!