It Just Keeps Getting Better --2015
Editor’s Note: I’ve called upon my friend & inspiring, bad-ass colleague, Jess Zimbabwe, to share hers. Jess and I not only share a love for Loretta Lynn and building better communities around the world, but also for music that knows know bounds in terms of genre or popularity. Jess’s annual holiday card comes via mixtape format and this year’s “It Just Keeps Getting Better 2015″ was pretty much perfect. I’m happy to share that two of my contributions (#14 and #20) made the cut.
You can listen to “It Just Keeps Getting Better 2015” right here.
IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER 2015:
1) “WTF” (Where They From) -- Missy Elliott (w/ Pharrell Williams)
It’s like Missy heard people wondering about her and said, “no, where_have_you_been?”
2) “Under Control” - The Internet
(Image courtesy of http://hiphopmediaworld.com/)
Breezy neo-soul with tight, danceable beats.
3) “Nobody Knows My Trouble” -- Ryan Bingham
(Video courtesy of Pandora)
Uncanny introspection from a cowboy troubadour (Also: longest tenure on this list).
(Image courtesy of consequenceofsound.net)
This is the kind of music that the imaginary band in my imaginary garage plays.
5) “All Night Long” - The Mavericks
(Image courtesy of KCPT.org)
(I don’t have any thoughts about this song that are suitable for such wide distribution.)
(Image courtesy of thewallaband.com)
Driving on the freeway hasn’t sounded this fun since Aretha’s pink Cadillac.
7) “Family Is Family” - Kacey Musgraves
She perfectly marries Nashville twang with quirky ideas and makes it sound like an anthem.
8) “Trap Queen” - Fetty Wap
Gritty, melodic vocals over a really catchy sub-bass line. Also: great lyrical double entendre.
9) “Should Have Known Better” - Sufjan Stevens
You thought you experienced loss and sadness in your life? NOT AS BEAUTIFULLY AS SUFJAN HAS.
10) “An Illustration of Loneliness” - Courtney Barnett
(Image courtesy of the Guardian)
The folksy vocals and driving guitar are a comfortable fit, but the lyrics are totally luminous.
11) “I Don’t Want To Let You Down” - Sharon Van Etten
Emotive vocals, backed by a layer cake of acoustics, electronics, and -- I think -- an organ.
12) “Sound & Color” - Alabama Shakes
The band creates vast and fabulous spaces for her ethereal vocals.
13) “Broken Necks’ - Eskimeaux
(Image courtesy of http://thishasgottostop.net/)
Both fragile and swelling, sad and exuberant, somehow all at the same time.
14) “Cornerstone” - Benjamin Clementine
(Video courtesy of WFUV radio)
Evocative of Nina Simone, but more angry or masculine or raw. (Or maybe Nina was all that too.)
15) “S.O.B.” - Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
(Video courtesy of NRateliffVEVO )
Airing young grievances over this soundtrack is healthier than drinking and cheaper than therapy.
16) “Never Ending Circles” - CHVRCHES
A hurricane of synthy pop from three badass but humble Scots.
17) “Shame” - Young Fathers
This song is #1 on the Jess-dancing-by-herself charts.
18) “Hey Darling” - Sleater-Kinney
The ladies are back at it, chasing each other’s guitars and vocals in jagged lines across the song.
19) “Mar (Lo Que Siento)” - Bomba Estero
(image courtesy of socialiteheights.com)
Breezy, Colombian trance wisdom about finding happiness in simplicity.
20) “Tennessee Whiskey” - Chris Stapleton
I’m raising a glass to you and hoping you have someone to hold close during this song.
21) “Tilted” - Christine and the Queens
Fly your weird flag high.
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