The Playlist – August 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. Got a Spotify account? You’ll find a link to this month’s playlist at the end of the post.

 

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats – “S.O.B.”

Hot damn. This is a righteous hoot. Already building a reputation for their ferocious live shows, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats (best backing band name ever) steps into the spotlight with this barn storming romp. There is no mistaking Rateliff’s skills assimilating retro-genres is impressive and a big part of the charm of this track.

 

New Order – “Restless”

Ten years since their last release, New Order is back sans one founding member but with the return of another favorite. “Restless” finds the band wielding many of their signature sounds. The melancholy is here, along with sweeping synth washes and a guitar line that rumbles at the low end. Peter Hook is no longer with the band, but that isn’t readily apparent. Gillian Gilbert is on board once again and that’s a good. thing. The full length, Music Complete, lands September 25th.

 

Patty Griffin – “Rider Of Days”

There are fewer Americana artists working today that share the reputation that Patty Griffin does. She is covered by some of the biggest artists in music. She has a rabid fan base. And, when she puts out new music, people pay attention. This teaser track from her upcoming self released album is classic Patty. You would be forgiven for not noticing anything beyond her voice. It is that powerful. “Rider of Days” is a lovely song, built upon shimmering guitars and Patty’s soaring vocals.

 

Public Enemy – “No Sympathy From The Devil”

Chuck D has one of the most recognizable voices in hip-hop and he is in fine form on this new track from the band’s latest project, Man Plans, God Laughs. The forefathers of political hip-hop are now in their 50’s and, while their approach hasn’t mellowed, their subject matter has evolved. This is not necessarily a bad thing. None of that matters once they fire up the beats, the production elements, and the rhymes.

 

Disclosure – “Omen” (feat. Sam Smith)

Sam Smith got a boost in America from his work on Disclosure’s last album and he’s back to lend a hand to the duo’s latest. Smith’s warm vocals provide a soul to Disclosure’s slick production, the perfect counterpart to the woozy synthesizers and the track’s back and forth rhythm.

 

Lianne La Havas – “Unstoppable”

The perfect soundtrack for a humid summer night. One part jazz, two parts swoon, and the rest is all Lianne and her voice. And that’s the most important part of all. Lianne has worked with everyone from Prince to Paloma Faith and Alt-J. She’s a multi-instrumentalist. Skills: she has an abundance. Her new full length is a pretty excellent date night album.

 

Josh Rittter – “Getting Ready To Get Down”

Ritter has always delivered smart, literary folk rock (when he’ not actually delivering literature). His new single is deliciously subversive. But many people won’t get past the catchy guitar line and the jaunty percolation, and that’s alright too. This is all sorts of fun.

 

Thundercat – “Them Changes” (feat. Flying Lotus & Kamasi Washington)

Thundercat, AKA Stephen Bruner, has contributed bass guitar to a wide range of hip hop and R&B artists like Erykah Badu, Kendrick Lamar and others. Here he serves up some lidded multicultural vibes, cross pollenating Weather Report and George Clinton in a manner similar to Jungle. This is totally working for me.

 

CHVRCHES – “Leave A Trace”

CHVRCHES had terrific success with their debut album and judging by their soundtrack work since, and this first single from their upcoming 2nd album, things seem to be good for the Glaswegian trio. Perfect synth pop. They’ve got this down.

 

Grace Potter – “Empty Heart”

I know. I know. Another Grace Potter track. DWI. But one would be hard pressed to find a more alluring female rock singer these days. Her voice and her presence are both mountain-sized. Roll down your windows, crank up the radio and blast this one to the rafters.

 

THE CLASSIC – Beastie Boys – “Sabotage”

“I’m Buddy Rich when I fly off the handle/What could it be, it’s a mirage/You’re scheming on a thing – that’s sabotage.”

Click here to find this playlist on Spotify.

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