Music is a little like food and 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 on Fridays when he assembles the Weekend Dossier.
John Legend – “Made To Love”
Beyond a doubt one of the most talented vocalists in music today. The man is just ridiculously gifted. You’ve heard this, right?
Chvrches – “The Mother We Share”
The debut album by these Scotts, more than any other recent release, has received the most play on my various devices of late. There isn’t one bad song among the batch. This is already one of my favorites of the year.
Haim – “The Wire”
A trio of sisters out of Los Angeles who have managed to release the most 80’s sounding CD of the year. And by that, I mean that this album literally sounds like it was recorded in the 80’s. It’s not so much a genre thing, but in production and arrangement and actual instrumentation, it sounds like the 80’s. But here’s the rub: it’s totally contemporary and a whole bunch of fun.
Moby with Wayne Coyne – “This Perfect Life”
Moby, with an assist from Wayne of The Flaming Lips and some Gospel singers, delivers one of the most empyreal songs of his catalog.
Patty Griffin – “Silver Bell”
An elusive rarity gets an official release thirteen years after the fact. That is is one of the best releases of this year speaks to the underrated singer’s ability to deliver the emotional wallop over and over and over again. Her songs have been huge hits for many artists, but nothing comes close to Patty’s ethos. The collection of songs her, like “Top Of The World” and “Truth #2” are among her best.
The Weeknd – “Kiss Land”
I can’t help it. There are many reasons why I shouldn’t like this, but I am helpless. This album defies all reason. It is a genre-buster. There is nothing subtle here. It is completely over the top. It is Prince if he sounded exactly like Michael Jackson. It is a spectacle. And it all works thanks to Abel Tesfaye’s ridiculously terrific vocals which provides everything else with a warm organic core.
David Bowie – “Love is Lost” (Hello Steve Reich Remix by James Murphy for the DFA)
This is something. James Murphy (late of LCD Soundsystem) takes a turn deconstructing and then reconfiguring a track from Bowie’s wondrous recent album. Taking bits and pieces from Bowie’s catalog (including “Ashes To Ashes”) Murphy takes the track from a beginning marked with glitchy, shotgun style percussion to something made to get people moving. It’s a spectacular journey. Look for it on the upcoming three disc special edition of The Next Day, available November 5th or pre-order the extended EP with extra tracks here.
The Head & The Heart – “Shake”
Seattle’s winsome folk-rockers liven up their sound and flesh out their arrangements with their sophomore release Let’s Be Still. “Shake” is a pretty good example of that.
St. Lucia – “Elevate”
Unabashedly joyful.
William Shatner – “Ponder The Mystery” 
No need to say a thing. Just, ponder.
BONUS: This is going to be all kinds of awesome.
For previous editions of The Playlist, see the growing archive here.