FEATURE: The December Playlist: Vol.4: Where The Streets Have Hard Rain

FEATURE:

 

The December Playlist

 

IN THIS PHOTO: The Streets/ALL PHOTOS (unless stated otherwise): Getty Images

Vol.4: Where The Streets Have Hard Rain

_______

ALTHOUGH this is the sparsest Playlist…

IN THIS PHOTO: Laura Marling

of the year; I feel it is one of the most interesting, too! Being so close to Christmas Day; I was not expecting a lot of new releases to arrive. Not only is there a stunning Bob Dylan cover from Laura Marling – there are new releases from Good Charlotte, Migos and ALICE. Videos from Björk, Katy Perry and PALE WAVES are out and, whilst there are few big-name releases this close to Christmas; the arrival of two new tracks from The Streets has been turning heads – I have featured Sometimes I Hate My Friends More Than My Enemies. It is an unexpected from Mike Skinner – and makes one wonder whether a future album from The Streets is a possibility!

I guess that is a nice Christmas treat and a great way of kicking off 2017’s penultimate Playlist. Take a listen to the new treats and tunes; the varied mixes and great videos; the blend of Christmas sounds and traditional releases – showing music is not going to rest; regardless of the time of year!

________

Run the Jewels – Call Ticketron

The Streets – Sometimes I Hate My Friends More Than My Enemies

Stormzy (ft. MNEK) – Blinded by Your Grace Pt. 2

Laura Marling – A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall

ALICE – Hung Up

Katy Perry – Hey Hey Hey

Zoe Nash – Rather Die

Björk – Arisen My Senses

Whethan (ft. Opia) – Aftertaste

Black Futures – Karma You Dig!?

PALE WAVES – My Obsession

Twelve’Len and Allan Kingdom – Almost There

Gioli and Assia – Starry Nights

Mali-Koa – Honest

Little Shadows – College

Manic Focus – Potatoes and Steak

Sugarland – Still the Same

Huncho Jack, Travis Scott and Quavo – Modern Slavery

RAPMAN – 2017 Wrap Up

Good Charlotte – Awful Things

James Mercer and Ameria – Fractures

BETSY – Heavy Head (Acoustic)

PHOTO CREDIT: Andrea Nakhla

Jonathan Wilson – Over the Midnight

Homebound – Bound to Be

Malia – Naked

Migos – Stir Fry

Bleach Baby – Be So Good

First Aid Kit – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Live from BBC Radio 2)

Ayo & Teo – Like Us

BLVK JVCK (ft. H.E.R.) – Mine Luv

Gavin James – Hard to Do

Nafets – Needles

Cardi B (ft. 21 Savage) – Better Cardi

Kesha – This Is Me

PHOTO CREDIT: David A. Fitschen

Joan as Police Woman – Wonderful

Imagine Dragons & Khalid – Thunder/Young, Dumb & Broke

Panic! at the Disco – Feels Like Christmas

Kina Grannis – When You Come Back Down

Thomas Rhett – Marry Me

Dr Vades – You’re the One

PHOTO CREDIT: Nikolaj Rutkowski

Glen Hansard – Wreckless Heart

IN THIS PHOTO: PALE WAVES

I was not expecting a Bob Dylan cover and a new track from The Streets at any point this year – not least a couple of days before Christmas! It is another unexpected and surprising week of music that has provided plenty of curiosity, pleasure and energy. I am letting The Streets’ new cuts sink in and it is exciting seeing where that can go – the best of the rest is an exciting and interesting brew that bodes well for 2018…

FEATURE: The December Playlist: Vol.3: Nine Days to Go…

FEATURE:

 

The December Playlist

IN THIS PHOTO: Anne-Marie

Vol.3: Nine Days to Go…

_______

THE countdown has begun…

IN THIS PHOTO: MGMT

and people are decorating the tree, getting the last of the shopping done; putting plans in order – looking forward to the last working week (before the big day itself!). The penultimate Playlist before Christmas brings together an odd, but terrific, assortment of sounds together. Johnny Marr and Maxine Peake are not names you’d expect to feature in the same piece of music – they have unveiled an intriguing piece in The Priest. MGMT, Eminem and Charli XCX are in the pack; Anne-Marie, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have new cuts out – so too does Skepta and Sheryl Crow.

Another wonderful and busy Playlist that is sure to keep the mouths watered and show that not everything music-based right now is Christmas-themed. It will be fascinating seeing whether next week’s crop of new music brings us a stocking filled with treats and treasures!

ALL PHOTOS (unless stated otherwise): Getty Images

________

IN THIS PHOTO: The star of The Priest‘s video, Molly Windsor/PHOTO CREDIT: Isaac Peral Photography

Johnny Marr and Maxine Peake – The Priest

MGMT – When You Die

Skepta (ft. A$AP Rocky & A$AP Nast) – Ghost Ride

Tears for Fears – I Love You But I’m Lost

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – All Is Known

Moby – Like a Motherless Child

Anne-Marie – Then

Louis the Child (ft.Caroline Ailin) – Last to Leave

Captain SKA – Sons and Daughters

Michael Ball and Alfie – Bring Me Sunshine

Ralph McTell (ft. the Crisis Choir and Annie Lennox) – Streets of London

Scouting for Girls – Kids at Christmas

Sheryl Crow – The Dreaming Kind

AYA – Heal Me Now

 

ART CREDIT: Remy Boydell

Car Seat Headrest – Beach Life-In-Death

Morningsiders – Honey Told Me

Choirs With Purpose (ft. Michelle McManus) – We All Stand Together

Eminem – Untouchable

Gabriel & Dresden (ft. Sub Teal) – Only Road

G-Eazy (ft. Son Lux) – Eazy 

Jeezy – Spyder

John Williams – The Supremacy

DJ Earworm Mashup – United State of Pop 2017 (How We Do It)

Billie Eilish & Vince Staples – &burn

Khalid – Saved

Anitta & J Balvin (ft. Lele Pons & Juanpa Zurita) – Downtown 

DRAM and Neil Young – Campfire

PHOTO CREDIT: Robert McCulley

Mo Pitney – Take the Chance

Jaden Smith – George Jeff

Lindsey Stirling – Angels We Have Heard on High

Lily Allen (ft. Giggs) – Trigger Bang

Poppy – Bleach Blonde Baby

N.E.R.D (ft. Kendrick Lamar) – Don’t Don’t Do It

Camila Cabello & Grey – Crown

Nick Jonas – Home

Jennifer Hudson – Burden Down

Shovels & Rope (ft. The Milk Carton Kids) – Patience

Björk – Utopia

Luke Sital-Singh – Thirteen

Charli XCX (ft. Kim Petras and Jay Park) – Unlock It

Austra – Change the Paradigm

Oh Sees – Drowned Beast

Sylvan Esso – There Are Many Ways to Say I Love You

POM – Sway

Weslee – Boy Like You

Marmozets – Major System Error

Yungblud – Tin Pan Boy

Noah Kahan – Hurt Somebody

Justin Nozuka – Hourglass

Azusena – Shiva

Baker Grace – Day I Die

Tricky (ft. Francesca Belmonte) – New Stole

saib. – Café

PHOTO CREDIT: @shervinfoto

Grace Weber – Elated

Boosie Badazz – Me, Myself & I

Lucy Dacus – Night Shift

Honors – Valleys

Bhad Bhabie – Mama Don’t Worry (Still Ain’t Dirty)

Peace – From Under Liquid Glass

Pale Waves – My Obsession

PHOTO CREDIT: Connor North Goad

joan – tokyo

Toothless – Leave Take Lend

AWOLNATION – Miracle Man

IN THIS PHOTO: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

There sure is a lot to get the teeth into this week!

It shows, even though 2018 is a matter of days away, artists are not relenting – determined to add their mark to 2017 and ensure it is given a mighty send-off! Let’s hope that continues for the remaining two weeks: who knows what gems and delights will be uncovered!

FEATURE: The December Playlist Vol.2: We’re Untouchable, Manic and Blue (and Completely Out of Our Heads…)

FEATURE:

 

The December Playlist

 

 IN THIS PHOTO: Charli XCX

Vol.2: We’re Untouchable, Manic and Blue (and Completely Out of Our Heads…)

_______

WHEN you think you have music all figured out…

IN THIS PHOTO: Manic Street Preachers/PHOTO CREDIT: Alex Lake

it will, invariably, kick you in the midriff and surprise you! That is the case this week – as I predicted things would get quiet and unexciting as we head towards Christmas – with potential Christmas-related syrup being replaced by some proper-big tunes! Not only are there new cuts from Eminem and Charli XCX – there is an unexpected offering from Manic Street Preachers! The Welsh band, in a classic hype move, suggested they were struggling for new material and would not be releasing material in the foreseeable future. That was all hoodwinking – as the guys are back with International Blue! It is the first single from the forthcoming L.P., Resistance Is Futile, but is certainly promising good things!

Elsewhere in music; there are videos/cuts from Liv Dawson, Father John Misty and Sufjan Stevens; The Orwells, Camila Cabello and Wiley. There is ample stock for any music fan and a timely reminder we cannot predict how much will fare; what seasons and times will be quiet or packed; whether it will be eventful or not. As things tick towards that festive day, we are seeing some terrific songs crop up and ensure the final days of 2017 are going out with a bang!

ALL PHOTOS (unless stated otherwise): Getty Images

________

 

BTS – Crystal Snow

Camila Cabello – Never Be the Same

Charli XCX (ft. Tove Lo & ALMA) – Out of My Head

Eminem – Untouchable

G-Eazy (ft. Charlie Puth) – Sober

Tom Speight – Young Heart

Grace Carter – Ashes

The Jive Aces – What a Wonderful World

KDA (ft. Patrick Cash) – Hate Me

Liv Dawson – Hush

PHOTO CREDIT: Ed Miles/NME

Manic Street Preachers – International Blue

Turin Brakes – Would You Be Mine

Migos & Marshmello – Danger

Original Dodger & Shakka – Find Space

Frank Sinatra & Seal – Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Rhye – Count to Five

Sharna Bass – Express My Mind

Wiley (ft. D Double E and Scratchy) – Bar

The Wombats – Turn

Billy Cullum – Lost in You

Dan Michaelson – Careless

Jaykae – Pull Up

Talib Kweli – Knockturnal

The Orwells – Vanilla

PHOTO CREDIT: Jonathan Weiner

Poliça and s t a r g a z e – Agree

Franz Ferdinand – Always Ascending

Dan Caplan – Two Fingers

PHOTO CREDIT: FAULT Magazine

Rae Morris – Atletico

Moose Blood – Talk in Your Sleep

Father John Misty – Leaving L.A.

N.E.R.D & Future – 1000

Maiday – Some Hard Feelings

PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Stein

Blondie – Doom or Destiny

The Big Moon – Happy New Year

LA Priest – All I Want for Xmas Is Rock & Roll

PHOTO CREDIT: @Joshua James Halling

Black Foxxes – Sæla

Sufjan Stevens – Tonya Harding

 

Kailee Morgue – Discovery

Nick J.D. Hodgson – RSVP

Nicolas Jaar – Coin in Nine Hands

PHOTO CREDIT: Eliot Lee Hazel

Tune-Yards – ABC 123

Belle & Sebastian – Fickle Season

PHOTO CREDIT: Barnaby Cutter

Gaffa Tape Sandy – Beehive

Gender Roles – Plastic

SOPHIE – Ponyboy

Sports Team – Beverly Rose

Vera – Mystery

Dermot Kennedy – Moments Passed

Bahamas – Way With Words

PHOTO CREDIT: Jamie Harding

Fenne Lily – For a While

Tommy Ashby – Guilty 

NIGHT FLIGHT – Amsterdam

Hollywood Undead (ft. B-Real) – Black Cadillac

Rejjie Snow – Milk & Honey

Dreezy (ft. 6LACK, Kodak Black) – Spar

Lecrae – Broke

Brianna Perry – 1st of All

Duke of Wolves – Without a Name

Geowulf – Hideaway

Grace VanderWaal – So Much More Than This

Justine Skye – Goodlove

Moon Taxi – Good as Gold

IN THIS PHOTO: Eminem

It is the time of year our minds are turning to Christmas and what is to come. I am always looking forward in music and what is around the corner. This year has seen so many great artists emerge and fantastic albums released. The quality of music has been incredibly high and, with every passing week, new twists and turns thrown into the agenda. This week is no exception and one that sees titans like Manic Street Preachers and Eminem nestle alongside unsigned and independent treasures.

Surely the final few weeks of December cannot keep the standard this high, you’d think! I will keep my eyes peeled and trained as, with one lobe committed to Christmas; the curiosity-bulb is kept lit and activated. Music, whatever your tastes, continues to surprise – producing sounds of the highest quality!

FEATURE: The December Playlist: Vol.1: Here Come the Christmas Songs!

FEATURE:

 

The December Playlist

 IN THIS PHOTO: Wolf Alice/PHOTO CREDIT: @jonowhite_

Vol.1: Here Come the Christmas Songs!

_______

IT was only a matter of time…

IN THIS PHOTO: Dita Von Teese/PHOTO CREDIT: @jennifermitchellphotography

before the Christmas numbers unwrapped themselves before our eyes! Wolf Alice, George Ezra and MiC LOWRY are among an eclectic selection of artists releasing Christmas-themed songs this week. I know more will come but there are a few interesting festive tracks worth your time and attention. Away from the approaching merriment; we must be sure to promote those more traditional numbers. Everyone from Sigrid and Dita Von Teese have new material out; Graham Coxon is in there, too. Among the fresh singles/videos are offerings by The National, The Fratellis and St. Vincent – with a bit of Django Django and First Aid Kit for good measure (and a few songs/videos I missed when they first came out)!

It is the start of December so this month of Playlist entries is likely to see a change from the usual fare to something with more tinsel around it. That might not be a bad thing: the crop of Christmas numbers this week is not completely awful. I am pleased there are some great non-Christmas songs that keep the purists happy and provide a nice balance – all things considered; quite an interesting week for music!

PHOTOS (unless otherwise stated): Getty Images

________

Peggy Sue – Slow Fade

PHOTO CREDIT: Penny Lane

Dita Von Teese – Rendez-vous

PHOTO CREDIT: Nedda Afsari Muted Fawn

St. Vincent – Pills

PHOTO CREDIT: @bardhakrasniqi_

Mina Rose – When I Was with You

Isaac Gracie – Terrified

George Ezra – White Christmas (Recorded at Air Studios)

PHOTO CREDIT: Essy Syad

Graham Coxon – Falling

The Fratellis – Stand up Tragedy

Sigrid – Strangers

Nick Jonas – Watch Me

The National – Dark Side of the Gym

Mella Dee – Techno Disco Tool

Field Music – Count It Up

Public Access T.V. – Metrotech

PHOTO CREDIT: Hugo Anguela

Spector – Untitled in D

First Aid Kit – Fireworks

A$AP Ferg (ft. A$AP Rocky) – The Mattress

Tyga (ft. 24hrs) – Mercedes Baby

PHOTO CREDIT: Jake Clifford

Thunderpussy – Speed Queen

Sigourney K – Small Talk

Hopsin – Ill Mind of Hospin

Billy Corgan – Pillbox

PHOTO CREDIT: @MeekMills

Meek Mill – Fall Thru

Yo Gotti – Juice

The Manor – The Sesh

Django Django – In Your Beat

Liima – Life Is Dangerous

Robbie Williams – Satellites

PHOTO CREDIT: Joseph Keys

God Damn – I’ll Bury You

PHOTO CREDIT: jonowhite_

Wolf Alice – Santa Baby (Recorded at Strongroom Studios)

Ed Sheeran (with Beyoncé) – Perfect Duet

Jaykae – Moscow

PHOTO CREDIT: Caolán Barron Photography

Loah – Nothing

ART CREDIT: Boneface

Queens of The Stone Age – The Way You Used to Do

Egyptian Blue – Cut Me a Hole

Mahalia – No Pressure

AFSHeeN x Rebecca Ferguson – Uncrazy

PRETTYMUCH and French Montana – No More

Jax Jones (ft. Ina Wroldsen) – Breathe

PHOTO CREDIT: Gemma Dagger

Catholic Action – No Angels

Logic & Rag ‘n’ Bone Man – Broken People

Demi Lovato – Tell Me You Love Me

Pentatonix – Deck the Halls

Roy Woods – Monday to Monday

Sasha Sloan – Runaway

THE Faceless – In Becoming a Ghost

The Go! Team – Mayday

U2 – Lights of Home

Sam Smith – One Last Song

Jessie Reyez – Cotton Candy

DJDS and Empress Of – Love

OK Go – Obsession

Will Heard – Fallin’ 4 U

Carlie Hanson – Only One

Honors – All My Life

Kane Brown – Found You

PHOTO CREDIT: @steph_mccabe_

Delorentos – In Darkness We Feel Our Way

Too Close to Touch – Before I Cave In

Louis Tomlinson – Miss You

Bruno Major – I Think It Must Be Christmas

N.E.R.D (ft. Future) – 1000

Ms Banks – Bangs

MiC LOWRY – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Van Morrison – Let’s Get Lost

J. Balvin, Willy William (with Anwar Jibawi) – Mi Gente (Alesso Remix)

G-Eazy and Halsey – Him & I

 

DZ Deathrays – Total Meltdown

Yogi, DRAM and Lady Leshurr – Cakin’

Lissie – Blood & Muscle

IN THIS PHOTO: Sigrid/PHOTO CREDIT: Apple Music

It is true there is an influx of Christmas music but, I guess the closer we get to the day, the more songs we will see – those that replace traditional, year-round subjects with festive input. The ones out there this week are not too bad, mind! I have been surprised by the quality and originality of what is on offer. We all look forward to Christmas – most of us do, anyway – but it is nice seeing that balance of conventional songs with the snow-tinted sounds of Christmas releases.

Who knows whether there will be a lot of fresh Christmas tracks next week – one assumes there will be a fair few! I know there are going to be some big releases and surprised along the way. This is what you expect from the depths and range of music: an industry that keeps you on your toes! This year has been a fantastic one for music so let’s hope this continues as we go through December…