The Playlist – February 2015

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. 

 

AWOLNATION – “Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)”

This is going to be inescapable for the foreseeable future. And I am fine with that. I’ve never really paid much attention to these guys in the past. But this is hard to miss. Also, “Mother#$%@er I’ll be back from the dead soon” is one of those lines that just completely connects in the context of the song.

 

Houndmouth – “Sedona”

Count this band from New Albany, Indiana as among those to keep an eye on this year. They have built up a terrific following through touring and word of mouth. This first track from their upcoming album (Little Neon Limelight) should connect with a lot of people. Maybe I’ve seen enough of this winter, but it seems to share the promise of Spring and Summer.

 

Cannibal OX – “Iron Rose” featuring MF DOOM

This “now you see em’, now you don’t” underground hip hop outfit from Harlem has played hide and seek with their fans ever since their first release in 2001. Said fans are all kinds of excited about their return and the promise of their first full length in forever. This track, featuring sometime collaborator MF DOOM is a taste of Blade of The Ronin, expected this spring.

 

Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts – “Modzilla” (available 3/31)

Yeah. I know. How is he going to screw up this time. I guess fool me once and all that, but damned if he doesn’t seem to rise back with something that catches your ear and makes you think he’s going to pull it off. There have been a few teaser tracks released from Weiland’s new project that have got people excited about him again. You can catch another album track called “White Lightning” right here.

 

Georgio Moroder featuring Kylie Minogue – “Right Here Right Now”

Well this is something. Giorgio Moroder is getting ready to release his first new album in, uh, doing the math here…that would be forever. Forever. And he’s got some friends helping him out. Kylie is the perfect foil for Giorgio’s synth fueled funk-pop. I love how the guy who helped created the DJ culture can be seen in the shadows spinning records in the video. Details on the full-length can be found over here.

 

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – “Do The Get Down”

I’m going to be honest. I had no idea these guys were still around. And while I can’t quite forgive Jon for making me miss the last chance I ever had to see Archers Of Loaf (longish story), I always appreciated their proto-fuzz funk-rock. So I count this as a welcome return. Their 10th album (Freedom Tower – No Wave Dance Party 2015) lands in stores on March 24th. Party music.

 

Emile Haynie – “Falling apart” (featuring Andrew Wyatt and Brian Wilson)

Emile Haynie is best known for his production work with Eminem and Kanye West. But his upcoming album is something entirely different. He set himself up at a legendary Hollywood hotel and began recording his new album, which is heavy on big name collaborators. This first single features Andrew Wyatt (of Miike Snow, who also appears on Mark Ronson’s new album) and Brian Wilson. Yeah, that Brian Wilson. This is about as far away from underground Detroit hip hop as it gets.

 

Punch Brothers – “I Blew It Off”

Chris Thile has been making music for just about his whole life. His work with Nickel Creek brought bluegrass to the masses via an indie rock prism. Punch Brothers has allowed Thile to further bend genres. And with “I Blew It Off” he and his band deliver an off-beat ode to indifference that should be creepy given the setting. Instead, it’s nearly charming.

 

Mew – “Satellites”

I’m not sure how to describe this band. I’ve been a fan since their first release and they seem to evolve with each release. We’ve waited a long time for this one. The production is more pristine than past efforts but it only serves to bring more complexity to their already sophisticated sound. Is it Prog? Fairy rock? Psychedelic? Shifting time signatures, layered backing vocals, power chords. It all just works.

 

THE CLASSIC: Missy Elliott – “Get Ur Freak On”

Easily the best part of the Super Bowl halftime show, Missy has been introduced to a whole new audience, and deservedly so. She’s battled some nasty health issues over the past few years but if her re-emergence on the biggest stage in the world means there is something new on the way, this is super good news.

PLAYLIST BITS: This can be safely categorized as good news. This is most likely not. This gives me something to look forward to.

Click here to find this playlist on Spotify.

For previous editions of The Playlist, see the growing archive here.