Charles Kelley – The Good Stuff

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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Friday Jam Session

1.Favorite New(ish) Album
Tangled Up – Thomas Rhett

For as much as I love music, I don’t regularly keep tabs on who has albums coming out, nor do I often count down the days until one’s release. I just figure once a single starts gaining traction and I like, then I usually check out the album. Thomas Rhett’s new sophomore album was an exception. Every new single made me more and more excited for the release, so much so, that I went ahead and featured “Crash and Burn” and “T-Shirt” already this past month. After listening to the whole album I could easily have featured every song on it in one or more of my categories.

I think the album is bold. My friends and I have an endless discussion on “bro country” and I can see why some would label it as such, but personally I almost want to call it genre-less. The album is both smooth and funky, and still has a bit of that stripped-down, very raw country sound that first got our attention with his debut. The video above for “Die A Happy Man” features Thomas and his wife, and is ADORABLE. I’m also really enjoying “Vacation,” “Playing With Fire” ft. Jordin Sparks and “Learned It From The Radio.”

2.Favorite New (new-to-me) Artist/Band
Rudimental

I am a bit picky when it comes to EDM music or similar types of musical productions that only feature other artists on vocals. (Side note: Is there a separate label for that because I don’t think this band is technically labeled as EDM?) But I vaguely remember hearing and liking their collaboration with John Newman on “Feel The Love” in 2012. Then I heard this new one above featuring Ed Sheeran and looked them back up, only to learn that this group was also behind Sheeran’s hit “Bloodstream,” which I’ve been in love with since I first heard it. I also enjoyed “I Will For Love feat. Will Heard”, “Waiting All Night ft. Ella Eyre” and “Rumour Mill feat. Anne-Marie & Will Heard”. Looking forward to hearing this group’s future work.

3.Jam I Have on Repeat
Backbeat – Dagny

I found a lot of new artists this past week, which is always a refreshing change. I sometimes wonder if people think I’m exaggerating when I say that I put songs on repeat… Friends, I recognize that its a bit strange, but I’m the kind of person who will re-read and watch my favorite books and movies over and over, so its not uncommon at all for me to have one song on loop, especially if I’m working on a project. There is so much going on in this song, its great in the car and has a great beat for my workout playlist. It almost makes me think of a less soulful, pop-infused Florence + The Machines.

4.Favorite Collaboration, Cover, Remix or Mashup
The Driver – Charles Kelley, ft. Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay

With these three voices and lyrics, I’m not sure I need to explain why I fell in love with this one. I did panic though… why is Kelley singing with Lady Antebellum? I’ve read that he’s doing a solo album, but that it doesn’t mean the band is breaking up. Just the fact that people are talking about it makes me nervous, but for now I’ll just hope that its all talk and enjoy this unique collaboration.

5.Favorite Spotify List
“Weekend Buzz” by Spotify

6.#SoulMusic I’m Obsessing Over
Dynasty – MIIA

This song and artist fits perfectly into my “#SoulMusic” obsession. I could totally see this song featured at the end of a TV show… ahem, Shonda Rhimes? I’ll just hold onto my “I told you so” for now…

7.”Oldie, But a Goodie” I Heard This Week
Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac
Listen HERE

I’ve often thought about if I could go back to past decades and pick a few concerts that I would have loved to see live. If we’re talking about the 70s, I think Fleetwood Mac would probably be pretty high on that list.

8.Current Beat That Makes Me Want to Dance…in the Car…Jamming With the Windows Down
Alive – Sia
Listen HERE

Another week and yet another Sia feature. #notsorry. People, this song sounds awesome in my car.

9.Taking Me Down Memory Lane
Don’t Look – Kyle Park

This past week we have been talking about Periscope at work, and I figure that the best way to learn about new social media is to jump right in. I haven’t “scoped” myself yet, but I’ve started to follow accounts that I already follow on the Twitter. The very first live video that popped up for me was one by this artist. There is a special place in my heart for Texas country music, but sometimes they get lost in the mix of all of the different music that I listen to. I don’t want to commit but Kyle Park might be my favorite in this niche and was a large part of what made me fall in love with the live music scene. I think I’ve seen him twice, maybe three times… I can’t remember!

10.Work, Work it Out
On My Mind – Ellie Goulding

As usual, I’m a bit confused by the music video, but it’s a fun addition to my workout playlist.

11.Making Me Want to Fall in Love
Met A Girl – William Michael Morgan

When I first heard this I had to double check that it wasn’t an older one-hit-wonder that I had somehow never heard. But no, this guy is new and only 21,( umm what!?) He has a George Strait sound and Lord knows I’m a sucker for a smooth baritone singing a warm, country love song.

12.Guilty Listen of the Week
Hands of Love – Miley Cyrus
Listen HERE

Here’s the thing. Yes, she’s tends to cause a lot of ruckus and there are a lot of songs of hers that I flat out hate, but I do actually think she is pretty talented. And I actually really like this song.

13.Popular Song That Is Making My Ears Bleed
Hotline Bling – Drake
Listen HERE

I like some of Drake’s stuff, but this? NOPE. I almost didn’t even bother with linking it.

14.Country Pick of the Week
Hit the Road – Waterloo Revival

This song has popped on a few different Spotify playlists over the past few weeks. It’s subtle and doesn’t make a big splash at first, but it has continued to stick with me. It is the band’s first single and I am going to be checking out their album when it comes out. The live version above is a little raw, but I really like it. Listen to the original cut HERE.

BONUS: My Voice Picks, Week 2
There were definitely a few I could myself liking later after some different song choices and coaches, but these were my top 8 favorite performances from Week 5. I couldn’t settle on just 5 like I did last week, and I’m a sucker for a couple of the songs, oops. I’m always blown away by the fact that so many of the acts are only 15 and 16 years old, and sound much more mature.

Angel From Montgomery – Krista Hughes