Brant's August 2023 Playlist

When you're trying to navigate the Holocene Extinction
but also want to participate in pop culture...

Phew!  August is here and the world just had its hottest July on record.  Scientists have designated this the Holocene Extinction, as human activity causes the Earth to grow warmer and kill off life on our planet.  Funny how all the climate change deniers aren't picking up on this (or maybe they are and they're just too hot to apologize).  Either way, I'm chugging along and have put together another playlist to enjoy!  It's a little bit of everything, with two welcome comebacks from 1980s artists!  Enjoy!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Every Chance I Get (Dan Auerbach) - Black Keys guitarist/vocalist starts us off with some glorious glam rock! I absolutely love the one-two punch of the Dusty Springfield/Norman Greenbaum samples!!!

2.  A Good Thing (Claud) - Tyler and Zach recommended this Indie/Alt artist, and I love their youthful energy!  

3.  Stranger in a Strange Land (Margo Price) - Leon Russell has been a fave of mine for a while, so I'm SUPER EXCITED for this upcoming tribute album.  Margo Price does a splendid cover of one of Leon's signature songs.  

4.  Silver Platter (Khalid) - I had to have something from the Barbie movie.  I still haven't seen it, but this bedroom jam stood out for me on the soundtrack.  

5.  Paralyzed (Roosevelt) - I've loved everything so far from the new Roosevelt album!  This is the latest.

6.  Time /Kinky Roland Remix/ (Culture Club) - Our first 1980s comeback.  Normally, I would steer an artist away from tinkering with one of their biggest hits - but this remake/remix of CC's 1982 hit might just change my mind.  Something about Boy George's weathered vocals really adds to the melancholy vibe here.  Well done! 

7.  Here We Go Again (Muylike) - Sunny Indie pop from Dutch artist.

8.  It Must Change (Anohni & the Johnsons) - Anohni is back, with some contemplative blue-eyed soul perfectly suited for her gorgeous vocals.

9.  Grim Generation (Portugal. The Man) - This singalong melody is too fun to be grim!  Life is complex.

10.  Cupid /Twin Version/ (Fifty Fifty) - Oh, how I adore some K-pop!  This tune from up-and-coming girl group just went viral, so hopefully we'll be hearing more from them in the future!

11.  Cosmos (Zinadelphia) - Slinky R&B that brings Macy Gray to mind. 

12.  In Your Love (Tyler Childers) - Frequent Brantworld listee is back with some endearing country love.  The video is fantabulous, and a nice alternative to some of the other more (shall we say) hateful rhetoric we're seeing in the country music world currently.  

13.  Digging Deeper Now (Alison Goldfrapp) - I love it when someone I haven't heard from in a while shoots me a message with a music recommendation!  My friend Josh from the West Coast did exactly that recently.  This is another tune from Alison Goldfrapp's awesome solo album.  Thanks, Josh!  

14.  When I'm With You (Nimmo & St. Panther) - Maybe I'm just missing it, but it seems like we don't get balls-to-the-wall dance ditties like this anymore!  Eric recommended this group to me and I can't get enough.  

15.  What I Want (Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers) - Funk-rock from Michigan band that vagueley reminds me of Foster the People.  It definitely keeps the party going! 

16.  I Get High (iskwē feat. Nina Hagen) - Our 2nd 1980s comeback.  I loved Nina back in the day, with "Universal Radio" still being on frequent rotation today!  What a treat to hear her in this new dancehall/reggae jam from this Canadian artist.  

17.  Design (Tender) - This is from 2016 but I recently heard it on an episode of "Never Have I Ever" and loved it.  

18.  Don't Let Me Down (Gus Dapperton & BENEE) - Easygoing synth-pop from American singer/songwriter.  

19.  Prism (Jenny O.) - The latest from West Coast singer/songwriter.  

20.  Meet the Master (Greta Van Fleet) - Good lord this boy can sing!  Greta Van Fleet continues to put out music that pays tribute to classic rock but updates the sound. 

BONUS TRACK:  I Want Your Hands on Me - 12" mix (Sinead O'Connor feat. MC Lyte) - What a drag to lose Sinead last month.  I was #obsessed with her back in the day and profoundly felt her loss when I heard the news.  This version of one of her first hits was only available on the 12" vinyl, and I haven't found it anywhere to purchase/stream today.  But you can listen to it HERE.  It was one of the first times I remember a white artist collaborating with a rapper.  Sinead was so ahead of her time.  RIP.