Friday Jam Session Vol. 18

I love music. My taste is very diverse — continually being shaped by an unique combination of people, places and experiences. I never try to pawn myself off as someone who “knows music,” because I have too much respect for those who do. I did dance and took piano lessons growing up, but trust me, you do NOT want to hear me sing. But music is a topic that I never tire of and I love swapping recommendations. Please join in and share your own picks! View past posts HERE.
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1.Favorite New(ish) Album
JUST KIDS – Mat Kearney

There is a special place in my heart for fellow Oregonian Mat Kearney’s music, and his new album is no except. The song above “Coming Home (Oregon)” is obviously my favorite, after we of course overlook the fact that the music video is a tribute to the Oregon Ducks. I respect his intense passion for a college football team, but does it really have to be THAT team? I feel like am committing a crime for even linking to the video. Also on the album I really like it’s first single “One Black Sheep,” as well as “Air I Breathe” “The Conversation” and “Heartbeat.”

2.Favorite New (new-to-me) Artist/Band
for KING & COUNTRY

This Christian band was a random find on Spotify last week that I instantly fell in love with. They appear to have been around awhile and are the two brothers of contemporary Christian artist Rebecca St. James. Their music isn’t just uplifting, it is dynamic and great to jam to. “Fix My Eyes,” shared above, is probably my favorite so far, but “Busted Heart” is a close second. I also am really liking “Run Wild” “Light It Up” “Crave” “Fine Fine Life” and “Without You.”

3.Jam I Have on Repeat
Live Forever – The Band Perry

I’m always a sucker for a good anthem song and people, I am obsessed with this song. Then again, I’ve felt that way by every single The Band Perry has put out. I saw them few years ago at Country Stampede in Kansas and I was really impressed by their range of influences and covers they chose to feature alongside their own songs.

4.Favorite Collaboration, Cover, Remix or Mashup
Hey Brother – Dierks Bentley (original by Avicii)

Considering Dierks has a great bluegrass album I’m not surprised he flip a song like this and add his own spin.

5.Favorite Spotify List
“Confidence Boost” by Spotify

A solid mix of mostly songs from the past 5 years or so.

6.#SoulMusic I’m Obsessing Over
Thunder Clatter – Wild Club
Listen HERE

7.”Oldie, But a Goodie” I Heard This Week
Kerosene – Miranda Lambert

This song is 11 years old. Just let that sink in for a few moments. I knew from this very first single I was going to be a Miranda fan. At that time I don’t think there were that many new, young strong voices in country music. Don’t get me wrong I LOVED Faith, Martina and Shania, but Miranda had an unique sound and outlaw country attitude. Fast forward to now and I’d say she’s pretty much stayed true to that.

8.Current Beat That Makes Me Want to Dance…in the Car…Jamming With the Windows Down
Love Myself – Hailee Steinfeld
 Listen HERE

I really didn’t like this song at first. Which was a bit disappointing because I hear she was good in Pitch Perfect 2 (which I haven’t gotten around to watching yet) and I still am bitter about her not getting the Oscar at 13 for her role in the remake of the movie True Grit alongside Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon. ANYWAY. I still wouldn’t say that I particularly like it that much, but dang it, it is really catchy and at some point I found myself not skipping it anymore.

9.Taking Me Down Memory Lane
“Clubbed to Death” – Matrix Theme
Listen HERE

Last Sunday night I watched the 2016 Miss America pageant where Miss Alabama danced for her talent to this song and I freaked out a little. During my freshman year of high school on the dance team, we did a Matrix theme for our state competition performance and this was our opening song. I loved that routine, but our makeup and costumes were pretty intense and any picture proof I have is conveniently not on Facebook or my computer.

10.Work, Work it Out
Uma Thurman – Fall Out Boy
 

Umm, let’s be honest. Anything by Fall Out Boy is great to work out to.

11.Making Me Want to Fall in Love
My Heart is Open- Maroon 5 ft. Gwen Stefani
Listen HERE

This song is over a year old now, but it came back up on my playlists today, and is probably one of my FAVORITE collaborations!

12.Guilty Listen of the Week
 Dirty Work – Austin Mahone

Oh don’t, worry I’m judging myself enough for everyone. #shame

13.Song That I Originally Loved, But Is Now Overplayed
Bang Bang – Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj
Listen HERE

I was totally on the bandwagon for this song for much longer than I would like to admit, but a few weeks ago I made an effort to go back through and take it off of all of my playlists.

14.Popular Song That Is Making My Ears Bleed
Downtown – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Listen HERE

Nope. I gave it try, and once was enough.

15.Country Pick of the Week
80’s Mercedes – Maren Morris
 Listen HERE

I’ve been wanting to feature this song for the last two weeks but this girl is so new that hardly any of her music is on YouTube. Except, she’s not new. Apparently she’s been doing the red dirt scene for a few years now and was first noticed for her songwriting (Piece by Piece – Kelly Clarkson and Last Turn Home – Tim McGraw). But I really like this song so the link above takes you to Spotify. The song has a really “cool” vibe and I’d venture to say that this girl’s sound is similar to Kasey Musgraves, so I’m hoping that we start to hear more from her soon.

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So, what have you been listening to this week?

Linking up with these blogs today!

Here, Here, Here and HERE.

Cheers!