Brant's July 2018 Playlist

Summers are made for lawn parties with your crew, and good music!

Well, our country may be pretty divided but at least people are coming together for good music.  I noticed a lot of this month's selections were duets!  Maybe my subconscious was drawn to collaborations in hopes that our country would follow suit.  But enough discourse.  Let's get into this month's music!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Tired of Being Happy (Ashley McBryde) - Imagine Miranda Lambert with a dash of Tanya Tucker thrown in!  This troublemaking bar jam is my new fave song for the summer!

2.  Feel Like a Fool (Kali Uchis) - I had one of her songs on May's playlist, but my friend Anthony convinced me to give the entire album a spin - and I'll be forever grateful.  I'm totally digging the old school girl-group vibe she's giving me on this tune.  It sounds like a long lost Marvelettes song.

3.  Grease (Flo Morrissey and Matthew E. White) - Duet #1.  Speaking of old school, this delicious remake of the theme song from the classic movie "Grease" was too good to let slip by!  Grease IS the word.

4.  Crosseyed and Painless (Angelique Kidjo) - The Talking Heads 1980 album "Remain In Light" was chock full of Nigerian influences and African polyrhythms, so how cool to see African superstar Angelique Kidjo redo the entire album, track by track!  Impossible to sit still and listen as she revels in this cultural synergy.

5.  Summer (the Carters) - Duet #2.  Bey and Jay surprised everyone when they dropped this collaboration last month!  Most of it veers towards hip hop and rap, but I found myself gravitating to this easy-going album opening number.

6.  Done for Me (Charlie Puth with Kehlani) - Duet #3.  No sophomore slump here for this young American artist.  This is the 3rd single from his latest album, a mid-tempo duet with neo soul singer Kehlani.

7.  Silver Tongue (Nikka Costa) - I stumbled across this while looking for the new Neko Case album (see #13), and was flabbergasted to see that this was a tune she co-wrote with Prince back in the early 2000s.  You can hear Prince's version here, but Nikka finally recorded her version with piano and strings accompaniment.  Gorgeous loungy vibes perfect to wind down your night.

8.  Disco Yes (Tom Misch feat. Poppy Ajudha) - Duet #4.  From the lounge to the disco!  Groovy late night beats with jazzy vocals.

9.  Girlfriend (Christine and the Queens with Dâm-Funk) - French singer is back with a chill new song, which you can enjoy in French or English.  This is the English version, obvs!

10.  If You Wanna Love Somebody (Tom Odell) - More excellent emotive power pop from British singer-songwriter!   

11.  Bad Dreams (Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson) - Duet #5.  Power duo reunite for the first time since 2009 to cover Echo Friendly's "Worried".

12.  Kindness of Strangers (Courtney Marie Andrews) - I would've sworn this was Emmylou Harris the first time I heard it!!!  How have I never heard of CMA before?  This is from her 6th album, released earlier this Spring.

13.  Sleep All Summer (Neko Case and Eric Bachmann) - Duet #6.  Two Indie Rock icons join forces for this wistful summer ballad, a remake of the song from Bachmann's band Crooked Fingers.

14.  Beibi (Fundacion Tony Manero) - They had me at Tony Manero (John Travolta's character in "Saturday Night Fever"), but I also was digging the seductive Latin bedroom vibes in this selection. 

15.  Bedroom Calling Pt. 2 (Chromeo feat. The-Dream) - Did somebody say bedroom???  Chromeo is back with more danceable funk!

16.  Naive (Solange with Beyonce) - Duet #7.  Sisters team up for the duet you always wanted and weren't quite sure if it had ever happened.  Out of print today, but it was a bonus track on Solange's first album "Solo Star" back in 2002.  I also feel like credit should be given to Da Brat for her super tight rap!  I'll take her over ANOTHER Nicki Minaj guest rap any day.  Not on Spotify, but you can hear it HERE.

17.  Eve of Destruction (Paul Revere and the Raiders) - I usually do a patriotic song for the July playlist, but with everything going on in our government (Supreme Court, immigration, race relations) - this was the best I could muster.  We survived the turmoil of the 1960s (when this song was written) so maybe the USA will survive today.  There are several versions of this tune out there, but I found myself loving the horns in this rendition.

18.  Spells (Jenny Hval) - Okay, I admit #17 was kind of a downer.  In the interest of closing on a hopeful note, I added this ethereal, trippy jam!

So that's this month's playlist.  Hope everyone has a safe and happy Independence Day, and I'll see you next month!

Brant's June 2018 Playlist

"Yeah, I'm trying to listen to my music and they're out here making all kinds of noise..."

Summer is in full swing, and while everyone else is looking forward to pools and cookouts, I'm basically counting the days until Jurassic World:  Fallen Kingdom.  In the meantime, though, we have this month's playlist.  June's list is chock full of summery vibes perfect for picnics, lounging by the pool, or just getting pumped so you can outrun a T. Rex.  Just make sure not to get dinosaur repellent in your earbuds!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Summer Days /Roosevelt Remix/ (Rhye) - This seemed like the perfect song to get us started.  Roosevelt surrounds Rhye's silky vocals with a percolating beat to keep your bare feet tappin'!

2.  Nervous (Shawn Mendes) - Canadian social media sensation shows no signs of slowing down on his third album, which includes this peppy tune.

3.  I Need A Woman to Love (Kesha) - Another selection from the awesome Universal Love: Wedding Songs Reimagined album.  Not many people can cover Janis, but Kesha does a great job with this version from Janis' Cheap Thrills days.   

4.  Creep City (Jake Shears) - Scissor Sisters singer goes solo with a slightly ragtime offering that sounds like a New Orleans production of "Rocky Horror"!  Can't wait to hear the entire album!!!

5.  Roll Away (Birds of Chicago) - Husband/wife folk trio serves up some feel-good vibes with delicious harmonies and hands a'clappin'.

6.   All She Wants to Do Is Me (Peabo Bryson) - Okay, I did not expect Peabo to put out a comeback album - but here it is!  Gotta say, for 67 years old, his bedroom game is as strong as ever!

7.  Old Love (Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers) - I heard this on NPR and immediately loved the East Coast beach music vibes!

8.  Stuck with Me (Tinashe feat. Little Dragon) - After many delays, Tinashe has finally released Joyride, which was announced in 2015.  Gary turned me onto this duet with Swedish band Little Dragon.

9.  Never Be the Same /WestFunk Remix/ (Camila Cabello) - Another singer gone solo, Camila Cabello (from Fifth Harmony) released her solo album this year.  I especially love this remix that turns her pain into a party!  Not on Spotify, but you can listen to it on Soundcloud.

10.  Back Seat Driver (Bear Hands) - Uplifting Indie rock from Brooklyn band.

11.  Look at What the Light Did Now (Flo Morrissey and Matthew E. White) - Engaging duo does a tasty update of Little Wings' drowsy ditty.  Be sure to check out their version of "Grease"!

12.  Everyday I Have the Blues (Van Morrison and Joey DeFrancesco) - Van Morrison can sing anything and make it amazing!  Here he tries his hand at some loungey blues, with excellent results.

13.  The Ultracheese (Arctic Monkeys) - I would've sworn this was a lost David Bowie tune!!!

14.  Bed of Thorns (Gary Numan) - The guy who gave us "Cars" is back, this time to warn of the coming global apocalypse.  His voice is as strong and hypnotic as ever, and he's traded in the New Wave beats for some cool Middle Eastern flavahs!

15.  Sunflower (Rex Orange County) - Young English songwriter's 1970s stylings are shockingly on point!  So much so that hearing this song immediately takes me back to my own childhood.

16.  Bad Habit /Dr. Packer Remix/ (ATFC feat. Lisa Millett) - Another new song that takes me back - this time to the 1980s and Jocelyn Brown's classic "Somebody Else's Guy".  Love the old school soul vibe that Dr. Packer brings to ATFC's early 2000s house classic.

17.  Endless Conversation (Oliver feat. Johnnie Newman) - We'll close out this month with some danceable funk that should give off enough sparks to hold you until Independence Day!

So that's June's playlist!  Hope everyone's summer is off to a good start, and we'll see ya next time!

Brant's May 2018 Playlist

My playlists bring all the First Ladies to the yard

What a month April has been!  We lost a First Lady, a promising young DJ, and - if not for Zyrtec and Neti pots - probably would have lost me as well (#PollenSucks).  With all the turmoil and sneezing, I found myself gravitating towards more soothing tunes this month.  So pop an antihistamine, settle in, and let's give this month's playlist a spin.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Such a Simple Thing (Ray LaMontagne) - Critically acclaimed crooner is back with this easy ballad to set the mood!

2.  Time In a Bottle (Lykke Li) - Prior to the release of her new album, Swedish Indie goddess Lykke Li tips her hat to Jim Croce with this delicate cover of his 1972 classic.

3.  After the Storm (Kali Uchis feat. Tyler the Creator and Bootsy Collins) - Columbian-American singer serves up some soulful reassurances in this single from her latest album.

4.  What Would I Change It To (Avicii feat. Aluna George) -  I usually expect to do a monthly RIP post to an artist we have recently lost, but I did NOT expect this month's to be someone so young!  I always loved the creativity in the dance music we got from Avicii.  Rather than follow a single formula, he seemed to be constantly on the lookout for new sounds and hybrids - taking elements of folk and blues music and blending them seamlessly with electronica, like this song with its prominent acoustic guitar.  I was heartbroken to learn of his suicide.  I hope Avicii has found the peace he was seeking.

5.  Hippy Blood (Ingrid Chavez) - 26 years after the date on her Paisley Park debut album, Ingrid Chavez slips onto my radar!  I've been collecting albums by artists on Prince's record label since he died, and tracked this one down a few weeks ago.  Breathy spoken and sung vocals over trippy dance beats.  Ingrid co-wrote Madonna's "Justify My Love", which would have fit perfectly on this album.  "Hippy Blood" is not on Spotify, but you can listen to it HERE.

6.  Language (Starchild and the New Romantic) - Joyful, jazz-influenced R&B from frequent Solange and Blood Orange collaborator.

7.  Lightyears (Kimbra) - Best known for her contribution to Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know", Kimbra released her third album this year - and seems to be channeling Robyn in this perky pop ditty!

8.  A Teenager in Love (the Regrettes) - Dion and the Belmonts 1958 classic gets a garage rock update by this LA band!   

9.  Plastic Hamburgers (Fantastic Negrito) - When I first heard this I could've sworn it was Lenny Kravitz!  Grammy winner serves up some glorious classic rock that would make Led Zeppelin proud.

10.   You're the One (Etana) - Reggae artist (who is the first female in more than two decades to hit number one on the reggae charts TWICE!) gets us in the mood for warm weather with some summery ska!

11.  Blue Rose (Amen Dunes) - Soaring psychedelic-folk that sounds like Van Morrison singing over a Roxy Music track, in all the best ways!

12.  Pynk (Janelle Monáe feat. Grimes) - Two of my fave contemporary artists join together for this celebration of everything estrogen!

13.  Up All Night (Beck) - I just saw him for the first time in concert last night, and he was everything I hoped he would be!  Energetic, enigmatic, and excellent.  This upbeat party tune is from his newest album.

14.  Thinkin Bout You (Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Talib Kweli) /KAYTRANADA Remix/ - If Beck winds us up, this mellow remix is here to wind us down!  Sexy, late-night beats from another of my favorite DJs!

15.  Real Love (Curtis Roush) - Fleetwood Mac vibes from Austin, Texas singer.

16.  Don't Bring Me Flowers (Elise Davis) - To my knowledge, the Ronettes never released a country album - but if they had, it probably would've sounded something like this!  Powerful vocals over a wall-of-sound production let a paramour know that he won't be expected to cuddle after the lovin'!

17.  And I Love Him (Benjamin Gibbard) - Death Cab for Cutie singer puts a same-sex spin on the Beatles ballad for the LGBT compilation "Universal Love - Wedding Songs Reimagined".  Be sure to check out Kesha's cover of Janis Joplin on the same album!

18.  Whatever Comes to Mind (MorMor) - Hypnotic dream-pop that's as warm and hazy as a night in May, from Canadian singer and multi-instrumentalist.

So that's this month's playlist!  Hope you enjoyed, and I'll see ya next month!

Brant's April 2018 Playlist

Does this bonnet make my playlist look big?

If there was ever a comeback story, I guess it has to be Easter.  Coming back from the dead is about as good as it gets!  It's kind of poetic that it falls on April Fool's Day this year.  "Guess what?  I'm not dead!  April Fools!!!"  As I was looking over this month's tunes, I noticed a lot of comebacks.  Chris Collingwood from Fountains of Wayne in the 00s, Lisa Stansfield and Meshell Ndegeocello from the 1990s, Jimmy Somerville from the 1980s, and 1970s rockers Fanny with their newly christened group, Fanny Walked the Earth!  I guess it's never too late to put yourself back in the spotlight.  So without further adieu, let's put this month's playlist in the spotlight!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Alfie's Song /Not So Typical Love Song/ (Bleachers) - Jack Antonoff gets our Easter hoppin' with some festive Indie Pop from the Love, Simon Soundtrack.

2.  Laughing Gas (the Fratellis) - Scottish rockers, whose band is named after the criminal family in "the Goonies" serve up some danceable alt-rock vibes.

3.  Short Court Style (Natalie Prass) - I put her cover of Anita Baker's "Caught Up in the Rapture" on my December 2015 playlist, so what a treat to have Natalie Prass back with more R&B-flavored pop!

4.  Don't Disturb This Groove (Meshell Ndegeocello) - Her latest album, "Ventriloquism", is full of delicious covers so it was hard to choose just one!  In the end, I chose this unexpected interpretation of The System's 1987 hit.

5.  Cookie Jar (Chris Collingwood) - Fountains of Wayne founding member records under his own name for 2009 tribute album "Ciao My Shining Star".

6.  Overload /Extended Version/ (Jimmy Somerville) - Spotify suggested this to me, and I'll be eternally grateful.  I've always loved Jimmy, since his days with Bronski Beat and the Communards.  I had no idea he had released this album in 2015, entitled "Homage", which was recorded in loving tribute to the disco music he adored as a teenager.  The songs are all new, but inspired by and recorded using the lush orchestrations common from that era.  This extended version always gets me going - I'd love for someone to mash it up with Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough"!

7.  Everything (Lisa Stansfield) - Funky new new from the glorious Lisa Stansfield!  She sounds as good as ever.

8.  Real Love (Jesse Royal) - Reggae slow-jam from Jamaican star.

9.  Lil' Girl's Name (Charley Crockett) - Former New Orleans street performer brings some rootsy vibes to his country blues music (and yes, he's related to Davy Crockett).

10.  Lured Away (Fanny Walked the Earth) - Back in the day, Fanny was part of the 1970s Los Angeles music scene.  Crazy that they never made it big, but it's great to hear them again!

11.  I Feel Like I'm Drowning (Two Feet) - NYC singer/songwriter Zachary William Dess keeps the blues/rock feels going with his latest single.

12.  Today Is the Day (Eels) - Long-running Indie rock band is going strong with this new single from their 12th studio album.

13.  Bad Bad News (Leon Bridges) - Jazzy retro-funk from Texas artist.

14.  In the Rain (Le Flex) - I just featured another Le Flex tune on my February 2018 playlist, but this London artist is putting out music faster than I can keep up with!  Love his easy synth-pop stylings!

15.  Have You Never Been Mellow? (Juliana Hatfield) - Is there anyone out there who doesn't love Olivia Newton-John?!?  If so - I hope I never meet them.  Juliana Hatfield's latest is chock full of loving tributes to ONJ.  I was psyched to see she included some of Olivia's 1970s hits (like this one!) in addition to the great 1980s songs like "Physical" and "Xanadu".

16.  Little Sister (Trixie Mattel) - RuPaul's Drag Race contestant proves she is a solid songwriter in addition to being a drag superstar!  Shantay, you stay!

17.  Bye Bye Darling (BØRNS) - 1970s style ballad from Michigan glam-rocker.

So that's April's Playlist (no foolin'!).  Hope everyone has a glorious Spring and I'll see you in May!

Brant's March 2018 Playlist

Phew!  I'm a few days late on this one.  I knew February was going to be a busy month, and unfortunately fun activities like exploring new music had to take a back seat.  Anyway, all is back to normal now, so let's get into it!  Last month skewed a little towards R&B, and this month I kept the beats going with a focus on dance and electronica.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Make Me Feel (Janelle Monáe) - America's favorite cyborg is back with some Prince-inspired funk!  The video is awesome too.

2.  Out of Love /Jaded Remix/ (Indiia feat. Whitney Phillips) - Island-y beats from Stockholm duo.

3.  Faded Heart (BØRNS) - Michigan artist is back with a sophomore album, and I was totally digging the Glam rock vibes on this new tune.

4.  My Enemy (Chvrches with Matt Berninger) - The National's lead singer stops by the studio to duet with festival buddies Chvrches!

5.  Until We Get There (Lucius) - Angelic vocals over an easy, 1970s-sounding acoustic guitar track.

6.  Ripple (Roots of Creation with G. Love and Special Sauce and Melvin Seals) - Grateful Dead staple is reimagined as a reggae jam, and I can already tell this will be on heavy rotation for me as summer approaches!

7.  All On My Mind (Anderson East) - Southern soul singer is back with this emotive ballad.

8.  My My My! (Troye Sivan) - I actually had this on last month's playlist, but bumped it because its reverb-heavy vocals didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the songs.  It seems much more at home on this month's list!  Great pop performance from openly gay Australian singer/actor.

9.  Valerie (Ra Ra Riot) - File this under "Songs I Never Thought I'd Hear Covered".  From 2012, but it popped up on Pandora and I liked it.  Indie band cover the 1980s Steve Winwood hit.

10.  More of the Same (Caroline Rose) - Urban ennui has never sounded so intriguing!

11.  The Good Life (Blossom Dearie) - I finally tracked down Blossom's 1963 album, "Blossom Dearie Sings Rootin' Songs"!  She recorded it for Hires Root Beer immediately after leaving the Verve label, and it was never widely distributed, which is unfortunate because it has some choice tunes on it.  Here she sings the Tony Bennett classic in her own intimate style.  Not on Spotify (obviously) but you can listen to it here.

12.  How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore (Danielle Nicole) - The often covered Prince song gets a bluesy treatment from former Trampled Under Foot singer/bassist.

13.  Don't Matter Now (George Ezra) - Peppy first single from the English singer/songwriter's sophomore album!

14.   Rosebud (U.S. Girls) - Breathy vocals over a disco-flavored track that vaguely reminds me of "I'll Be Around" by the Spinners.

15.  Have a Seat (En Vogue feat. Snoop Dogg) - I had no idea they were doing a comeback album!  This sassy tune feels true to their legacy, while also evoking memories of earlier girl groups like Diana Ross and the Supremes!  Viva En Vogue!!!

16.  Dancing /Initial Talk Remix/ (Kylie Minogue) - I love Kylie already, but especially gravitated towards this glorious 80s-influenced remix.  Thanks to Gary for bringing it to my attention!

17.  Make You Mine (Saint Wknd feat. Boy Matthews) - German artist delivers some 90s-influenced dance pop to get your Saint Paddy's Day party shakin'!

18.  Feedback Loop (CHAPPO) - Indie rockers close us out with this toe-tappin', slightly psychedelic jam. 

So that's March!  Hope everyone has a safe and festive St. Patrick's Day.  See ya next month!

Brant's February 2018 Playlist

Working on my look for President's Day

A February without new music would be unpresidented!!!  I'm Bush-ed from searching for new songs, but I feel like this month's list will Trump anything else out there!  This month has a few Grammy nominees, as well as some new and familiar artists.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE. 

1.  Got Soul (Valerie June) - Indeed she does!  Tennessee singer/songwriter gets us going with this Memphis soul ditty. 

2.  Watch Me (Labi Siffre) - This showed up on my Spotify suggestions - apparently it was recently used in the soundtrack for "This Is Us", but was recorded in 1972! I'd never heard it before (although Siffre has been covered and sampled extensively), but love the expansive, acoustic sound.  Reminds me of classic John Denver. 

3.  Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You (Kesha with Dolly Parton) - It's so good to have Kesha back, and I was bummed she didn't score a Grammy this year.  Apparently her mother was a songwriter who collaborated with Dolly on this song, and Kesha decided to record it with Dolly for her comeback album! 

4.  Real Love, No Shade (Roman GianArthur) - Sexy slow jam from R&B talent known for his work with Janelle Monáe!

5.  Rush (Lauren Faith) - British R&B signer keeps the smooth grooves going!

6.  Tangled (Le Flex) - Eric turned me onto this!  Sounds like something from an 80s movie soundtrack, which I'm totally digging. 

7.  i can't wait (Lalah Hathaway) - Veteran soul singer and Grammy winner is back, and experimenting with a more contemporary sound.  Well worth the wait!

8.  Linger (the Cranberries) - What a shock to lose Cranberries lead singer Dolores O'Riordan this month!  Sad to hear that fentanyl may have been the culprit.  RIP

9.  Arkansas (John Oates) - Former Hall and Oates singer channels Springsteen on this new song, and it's actually pretty good!!!  Does this mean we can expect an Andrew Ridgeley comeback album next?

10.  Why Don't You Do Right (Beth Hart with Joe Bonamassa) - Blues rocker teams up with Grammy nominated guitarist for this rollicking Peggy Lee cover! 

11.  Our Love Is Here to Stay (Jean Baylor and Marcus Baylor) - I adored Zhané back in the day, so what a treat to discover lead singer Jean Baylor had recorded a jazz album with her husband!  Apparently I wasn't the only one to notice, because the album (which mysteriously isn't on Spotify) was nominated for a Grammy this year!

12.  Don't Delete the Kisses /Charli XCX x Post Precious Remix/ (Wolf Alice) - I'll forever be grateful to Zach and Gary for turning me on to Charli XCX.  She's a delight to see in concert, and I adore everything she touches.  Here she sprinkles her magic on Wolf Alice's 2017 single. 

13.  No Turning Back (Joy Oladokun) - It pays to have friends with good musical tastes on social media.  This showed up on my friend David's feed, and I was instantly hooked.  Sounds like a Tracy Chapman demo.

14.  All the Stars (Kendrick Lamar and SZA) - Grammy nominated/winning duo teams up for this single from the Black Panther soundtrack.

15.  Alone (Stars) - Indie Pop from long-running Montreal band.

16.  Visions of Gideon (Sufjan Stevens) - Dreamy, melancholy vibes to close us out.  This is from the soundtrack of the Oscar nominated film "Call Me By Your Name", which chronicles the romance between a teen and a young grad student in Italy.  It seemed like an appropriate choice for Valentine's month. 

So that's February's list!  Hope everyone has a great month, and I'll see you in March!     

Brant's January 2018 Playlist

"Am I to understand there is no beverage service on this flight?"

Baby New Year is fast approaching!  No word on whether he's bringing good luck and good fortune, but there do seem to be some new tunes for us!  This month's batch includes some new stuff from familiar bands, some Japanese Wallpaper AND Breakfast,  and other goodies!  Hope you enjoy.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  My Only (The Pains of Being Pure at Heart) - Dreamy Indie Pop from NYC band.

2.  Meet on the Ledge (Greta Van Fleet) - My fave new rock band covers Fairport Convention's 1969 hit and drags it out of the commune and into the arena! 

3.  Permanent (Kygo feat. J. Hart) - No sophomore slump for this Norwegian artist!  This is from his second studio album and features Grammy nominated British singer J. Hart on lead vocals. 

4.  Baby Blue (Dusty Springfield) - I've heard "Dusty in Memphis" but was unfamiliar with "Dusty at the Disco"!  I stumbled across this on a compilation album of disco tunes.  This 1979 recording never made it onto any of her albums, so it's been something of a rarity. 

5.  Make It Work (Prince Charlez) - Prolific songwriter, who has worked with Rihanna and Usher, steps into the spotlight with this seductive slow jam. 

6.  Diving Woman (Japanese Breakfast) - We had her on November's playlist, and Michelle Zauner is back with more trippy beats to keep the New Year's Eve party going! 

7.  Time (Shy Luv) - I'm completely smitten with the old school R&B flavors on this London group's single!  Makes me want to put on some baggy pants and do the Smurf!

8.  Forces (Japanese Wallpaper feat. Airling) - Mellow electronica I first heard on a Pandora station.   Reminds me of some of the chill artists (Lamb, Frou Frou) from the early 00's.

9.  Better Than I Used to Be (Mat Kearney with Afsheen) - Folk singer/songwriter experiments with some electronic vibes on this new tune. 

10.  What Lovers Do (Maroon 5 feat. SZA) - Seasoned hitmakers team up with 2017 "It" Girl SZA  for this bouncy pop tune.

11.  Wild Fire /Live version/ (Laura Marling) - This is off the Deluxe edition of her album "Semper Femina".  I think I prefer it to the studio version - there's an edge to the live performance that I'm not hearing in the original.  Reminds me of some of Michelle Shocked's early stuff.

12.  What's New? (Keely Smith) - Best known for her material with husband Louis Prima, Grammy winning Jazz singer Keely Smith was just as compelling and enjoyable as a solo artist.  I was saddened to hear of her death this month.  This particular song wasn't on Spotify for some reason, but you can hear it here.   RIP

13.  Sign (VHS Collection) - Combining elements of New Wave, disco, and Indie pop - this NYC band delivers a gorgeous melancholy ballad! 

14.  Jester and June (Craig Finn) - Frontman of the Hold Steady serves up some quirky rock storytelling on his latest album, full of darkly tragic characters and top-notch songwriting. 

15.  Femmebot (Charli XCX feat. Dorian Electra and Mykki Blanco) - I think if I had to pick, Charli XCX would be my favorite contemporary pop diva.  I don't always love everything she does, but I love the way she brilliantly straddles the line between being accessible and a rebel.  This latest tune is way heavy on the beats and autotune, spinning wildly and deliciously out of control - like the last few hours of your New Year's Eve party! 

16.  United State of Pop 2017: How We Do It (DJ Earworm) - I always toss in a mashup of the best hits of the previous year, and was thrilled when my friend Mitch told me DJ Earworm's was out.  Not on Spotify, but you can hear it and download for free on Soundcloud. 

So that's the first playlist of 2018.  It's a few days early, but I wanted to go ahead and get this published prior to the holiday weekend.  Hope everyone stays safe, and I'll see you in the New Year!