Brant's January 2025 Playlist

Note to self:  Don't accept any more hats from your new friend Galinda...

Another year down the drain!  The fun part was as I was compiling this month's playlist I got to see what other friends had listed as their "Best of 2024".  It's a great way to find new stuff, as well as validate some of my own picks.  January's list leans towards Indie Rock - not sure if that's because that's what a lot of my friends were listening to or if I somehow skewed the choices.  Either way, hope you enjoy!  And Happy New Year!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Uncharted (Clover County) - Athens, GA artist last appeared on our June 2024 playlist, and she's back with more comfort vibes to kick off the first playlist of the year!  

2.  Sexy to Someone (Clairo) - Another Georgia native serves up this great little tune, produced by Leon Michels - one of the original members of Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings!  

3.  Enemies (Magic City Hippies) - Miami band keeps the smooth Indie vibe going! 

4.  Gravity (Pale Waves) - This was on my friend Tim's "Best of 2024" list, and I loved the 90's pop rock feel to the song!  

5.  El Camino High (Moody Joody) - Nashville band is serving mellow country and classic cars! 

6.  Lucy (Pacific Avenue) - Energetic Alt Rock from Down Under! 

7.  Sunday Best (Lauren Mayberry) - Sometimes when I'm Lyfting, if I hear a song I like I'll Shazam it.  This was one such tune!  Scottish lead singer and percussionist of Chvrches goes solo and keeps the frenetic beats front and center! 

8.  Bed Chem (Sabrina Carpenter) - Is there nothing Sabrina can't sing?!?  Love the 80s R&B vibes she's bringing to this bedroom jam.  

9.  Lonely Dancers (Conan Gray) - Another one from a friend's "Best of 2024" list!  Muscular New Wave beats that bring to mind classic bands like Men Without Hats.  

10.  Beat of Your Heart (Purple Disco Machine) - We've had a few songs from the latest PDM album, so I figured why not one more before year end? 

11.  Sweet & Sublime (L'Impératrice feat. Erick the Architect) - Minimalist funk as only the French can do it!  

12.  From Here (NxWorries) - The latest Anderson.Paak project retains his classic soul leanings.  

13.  Got to Get Better in a Little While (Derek & the Dominoes) - I heard this on the soundtrack to "Dark Winds" (great show, btw!) and immediately made a note to download it!  Classic Clapton. 

14.  Tell Me Why U Do That (Grace Bowers & the Hodge Podge) - Why aren't more bands doing old school blues/funk like this???  This lady rocks! 

15.  Blood Moon (Josiah & the Bonnevilles) - We had his cover of Taylor Swift on last month's playlist, so I was curious to hear some of his own songs.  This tune did not disappoint.  

16.  I'd Rather Overdose (honestav feat. Z) - Multi-genre artist from Springfield, MO sings with experience beyond his years.  

17.  The Architect (Kasey Musgraves) - I caught Kasey when she came through Charlotte last month and she put on a great show.  The connection she has to her fans is tangible.  

18.  Merry Go Round (Victoria Williams) - This is from the 80's, but it popped up on my iPod the other day and I forgot how much I liked it.  I figured it was a positive reminder to keep the "Merry" in the Merry Go Round as we enter a new year!

So that's January's playlist!  Everyone stay safe, and I'll see you in 2025 (hopefully!).  

Brant's December 2024 Playlist

Time to "pack" up another year!  

Whoa.  The last playlist of 2024.  After the year I've had, you would think I'd be ready to put 2024 behind me and welcome 2025 - but then the election happened.  I have no idea what the next 4 years will be like but I'm not excited.  Probably mandatory Christmas music from Labor Day until December 31st, if Project 2025 gets put into policy.  So anyway, as an antidote to the dread, I kept this month's playlist joyful and fun and free of references to the C word (although there's one seasonal song).  Hope you enjoy!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Scumbag (Role Model) - Tucker Harrington Pillsbury is becoming a regular in Brantworld, and deservedly so!  Catchy melodies and a very camera-ready countenance.  What more could we want? Here's his latest appealing ditty.  

2.  Anti-Hero (Josiah & the Bonnevilles) - I always say a great tune can be presented in various styles and still be awesome.  Here's a prime example - a rootsy/bluegrass cover of one of Taylor Swift's recent hits! 

3.  Overrated (Arms Akimbo with Harbour) - LA rockers are determined to get over their ex.  Results TBD...

4.  Manpower (Pixey) - Lordy I love this woman!  Here's hoping she tours and comes to Charlotte soon!  

5.  Supersad (Suki Waterhouse) - One of those songs that makes you want to put all the windows down in the car, turn up the stereo, and drive on a road with no speed limit!  

6.  Moon Man (Balu Brigada) - Peppy alt-rock from New Zealand duo. 

7.  There's Frost on the Moon (Gordon Webster feat. Hetty Kate) - As seasonal songs go, this ragtime tune is relatively enjoyable.  I had the original on my December 2017 playlist - so what a treat to find this contemporary version!  

8.  Letting Myself Go (BØRNS) - BØRNS has been through some rough times, but his songwriting is solid!  Perhaps even better as he deals with post-cancellation life.  I'm digging it.  

9.  Ai No Corrida (Quincy Jones) - What a loss to the music industry when Quincy Jones passed away.  This is from his 1981 album "The Dude", and hints at the greatness coming when Jones & Michael Jackson would team up for "Thriller".  RIP

10.  Paradise (Mark Lower feat. Alexandra Prince) - Groovy disco version of the Sade classic!  Again - a great song in a new format and there's still magic!

11.  Holding On (Dizzy Days) - I was seeking an upbeat, super-catchy pop tune!  Mission accomplished.

12.  People Watching (Sam Fender) - Another frequent Brantworld listee is back, seemingly channeling Bruce Springsteen or the Killers.  This is another driving-with-the-windows-down selection! 

13.  Giving Up (Michigander) - Kalamazoo band delivers a toe-tapping alt-rock anthem. 

14.  The Angel & the Saint (Goldie Boutilier) - Haunting vocals and trippy beats from Canadian singer/songwriter.

15.  Whore (Mehro) - We had Mehro on last month's playlist, and he's back with this forgiving love song!

16.  The Lonely One (Hayley Mary) - Australian singer and former member of the Jezebels continues her solo streak with this winning offering.  Zach turned me on to this artist! 

17.  By Now (Selma Eriksen) - Young singer/songwriter had a 1960s girl group energy that immediately drew me in!  

18.  Know Who You Are at Every Age (Anajah with Gary Gunn) - This is from Red Hot's TRANSA collection, highlighting trans artists.  Ethereal cover of the Cocteau Twins tune.  

19.  Superficial /Keys & Copper Remix/ (Alesha Dixon) - An exuberant remix of English singer/rapper closes us out, and hopefully gets us energized for the New Year!  

So that's our final playlist for 2024!  Hope the rest of the year goes well for everyone - and I suppose we'll meet again in 2025!  Take care!