Music is a little like food. Like clothes, these are areas where it’s probably worthwhile for one to explore & expand their tastes. The Playlist is assembled each month by Dappered’s very own music correspondent, Tim Johnstone. Tim is a former Virgin Records Label Rep & current award winning Program Director at KRVB, which was awarded the FMQB AAA station of the year markets 50+. You can also catch his work when he assembles The Weekend Dossier. Top Photo Credit.
Robin Thicke (featuring T.I. & Pharell)
I am gradually coming around to Dappered reader Eric Gauvin’s opinion on this one. It might end up being the jam of the summer. Either way, it’s obvious Pharrell Williams is essential to a guaranteed summer hit. Also, va-va-voom (NSFW). And in case you missed it, this is pretty righteous as well. Then there’s this.
Black Joe Lewis – “Come To My Party”
I’m not sure where the Honeybears went, but this first taste of his upcoming platter Electric Slave kind of moots the point. Dayum but this is all sorts of gritty fun.
Avicii – “Wake Me Up”
This Swedish DJ is one of the world’s most popular EDM stars. He’s the face of Ralph Lauren’s fall campaign. And his Mumford & Son’s flavored techno-hybrid is currently number one in half the world. And in the other half it’s on it’s way there. Also, this isn’t hyperbole.
Pearl Jam – “Mind Your Manners”
Does this sound like anything on Ten? Nope. Are they ever going to make another record like Ten? Doubtful. This is a declaration that while Eddy can make his solo ukelele records and endearing soundtracks, Pearl Jam can still hammer home the aggro rock and roll when they choose. This is them marking territory. Look for the full length Lightning Bolt to arrive October 15th.
Goldfrapp – “Drew”
WARNING: Slightly NSFW. Allison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory preview their upcoming album Tales Of Us with a lush and lovely ballad which seems to come straight off the soundtrack of an early 60’s French or Italian art house flick. This is a compliment. Also, this is prime sexy-time music. The album lands in stores on September 10th.
Bastille – “Pompeii”
Hello 1985! This is unabashedly British (and that’s ok). It is also so completely baffling. That choral arrangement? What the hamburgers? But dang if it doesn’t dig in like an industrial-sized ear worm. And it sticks.
The Lone Bellow – “Bleeding Out”
This three piece out of Brooklyn have built a following with their spirited live shows and hearty Americana-fueled songs. This one is particularly hopeful and it packs a wallop. Also, I’m a sucker for emotionally delivered “bop-la-la’s.”
Kings Of Leon – “Supersoaker”
The Brothers Followill (and their cousin) preview their upcoming Mechanical Bull CD with this typically catchy, harmony packed kicker. Sounds like they survived their near implosion and came out the better for it. Good on ya boys.
Atlas Genius – “If So”
This duo out of Adelaide, Australia deliver an entire album’s worth of solid, hook-filled modern rock. While there is absolutely nothing new or fancy here, the mood is largely uptempo, the songs are memorable and the production is clean.
Kavinsky – Nightcall
OK, so this isn’t technically new. A friend of mine who works at my awesome local independent record store put Kavinsky’s Outrun cd in my hand a couple months ago (it is new) and insisted that I needed to have it. He knows me. And he was right. But it turns out I had heard some of this before. If you saw Drive, then you’ve heard this too. The rest of the disc is just as good.
For previous editions of The Playlist, see the growing archive here.