Our Music Designers are always on the hunt for new music, whether it’s finding upbeat tracks to program for a fun fashion brand or simply searching for an album to add to their personal collection. Since they all find new music in different ways, this tight knit team is always sharing new recommendations.

Below is a sampling of songs and albums that the Music Designers currently love and are inspired by. Just like the variety in our programs, their personal inspiration ranges from Rock to Dance to Americana to Latin and everything in between.

Danny Turner

“Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)” – Father John Misty

David Sheyda

“Lunchbox” – Marilyn Manson

Anida Gurlit

“Indecision” – Shura

Bill Spencer

“It’s On” – Broncho
“Let Your Hair Down” – Magic!

Erin Yousef

“White Lies” – Milo Greene
“King” – Years & Years

Mark Shapiro

“Interlude” – Jamie Cullum
Songs In The Key Of Q – Quincy Davis
New Jazz Standards – Sam Most

Justin Main

“Groove It Out” – Lonelady
“Fokus” – Liam Hayes
“Ultimate Painting” – Ultimate Painting

Eric Martinez

“Apollo” – Flight Facilities
“Push Pull” – Purity Ring
“Tus Besos” – Juan Luis Guerra

Trevor Pronga

“Do It, Number One, So Good” – Tuxedo
“Illuminate (MJ Cole Remix)” – Tourist
“Make Me Feel” – Alex Adair
Business Pleasure EP – Little Boots

Randy Schlager

“Let Me Love You Righte (Club Mix)” – Hunter Siegel feat. Kai
“Too Young To Remember (Rich B & Phil Marriott Extended Mix)” – Florrie
“This Is Me” – Black Legend Project, Damon Grey AKA Lucas Reyes
“Le Disco (Original Mix)” – Henry Fong

Juan Pablo Restrepo

“Querida” – Juan Gabriel featuring Juanes
“Sol Clap, La Plata” – Quantic
“Ay Vamos” – J Balvin
“Nos Rompemos Igual” – Diamante Electrico

Jesse Nathason

The type of sound in the Jay Z track has definitely inspired my own music production as of late. “Insight” is a cool performance video.

“Roc Boys (Matoma Remix)” – Jay Z
“The Woods” – Hollow Coves
“Young” – Vallis Alps
“Insight” – Haywire

Linda Kennedy

Every year Gilles Peterson has his Worldwide Awards in mid January. I’m always curious to see who is on that list. Fatima won “Album of the Year” and I loved that record. I also discovered Little Simz and so many more.

“Riding Round (Sky High)” – Fatima

Ashley Columbus-Plinzke

The latter two songs totally and perfectly encapsulate a place in time to me where you’re free, wild, reckless, young and everything is possible.

“Sun, Moon And Stars Pt. 1” – Menace and Lord
“High Dive” – Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness
“Always Be One” – Night Terrors of 1927

Janica Chang

Been anxious for Mat Kearney to release some new music since his last record in 2011 – this is one of the tracks from the new album Just Kids that I really like – love all of the elements – meaningful and personal lyrics, fun instrumentation, great rhythmic devices, catchy hook. Haven’t been able to stop listening to the album!

“King” – Years & Years
“One Black Sheep” – Mat Kearney

Deidre Gott

I’m stoked on James Patralli’s (White Denim) new solo project Bop English. His album is coming out in April on Downtown Records and the track “Dani’s Blues” was released earlier this month and works great for a bunch of my clients. I recently revisited the Vacationer album, Relief. Some good tracks for client Spring inspiration.

“Dani’s Blues” – Bop English
Relief – Vacationer

Janice Williams

Put me down for The Lone Bellow— love the harmonies on this one from the new album! And I’m working my way through the double album released as two single albums from Justin Townes Earle. Divorce has been great for Steve Earle — Terraplane is a GREAT album. His best in a while.

“Baby Baby Baby Baby” – Steve Earle
Single Mothers & Absent Fathers – Justin Townes Earle
“Cold As It Is” – The Lone Bellow

Mark Cichonski

For some reason I keep going back to Theophilus London’s most recent release, Vibes! There’s just something about it that I can’t resist. I’ve also been all about some Ting Tings and SBTRKT lately. Very excited for Madeon’s upcoming, first full length release as well, so I’ve been listening to his singles and remixes a lot. That’s probably as far out on the EDM spectrum that I’ll ever go, but who knows?

Vibes! – Theophilus London
Supercritical – The Ting Tings
Madeon
SBTRKT

Mandi LeBlanc

“Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)” was the first song I’ve heard off of Father John Misty’s new album and I really like it. I’m also really into the new Sleater-Kinney album, No Cities To Love. Complete with weird video.

“Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)” – Father John Misty
“Doing It” – Charli XCX featuring Rita Ora
“Bury Our Friends” – Sleater-Kinney

Tristan Bolden

I’m still jamming to Vibes! too! Great album. Jazmine Sullivan’s newest album has been on heavy rotation for me lately. Especially “Stanley” because we just got the clean version for any R&B/Urban programs. Also glad that Years & Years seem to be going full steam ahead and gaining some much deserved attention. Check out their Sia-esque inspired video. Whatever your thoughts on Azealia Banks are, I would recommend giving her album a whirl. Can’t get enough.

“King” – Years & Years
“Stanley” – Jazmine Sullivan
“Gimme A Chance” – Azealia Banks

Only two songs were listed by more than one Music Designer. Did you catch which ones? Let us know what artists are currently inspiring you in the comments!

– Submitted by Danny Turner, David Sheyda, Anida Gurlit, Bill Spencer, Erin Yousef, Mark Shapiro, Justin Main, Eric Martinez, Trevor Pronga, Randy Schlager, Juan Pablo Restrepo, Jesse Nathason, Linda Kennedy, Ashley Columbus-Plinzke, Janica Chang, Deidre Gott, Janice Williams, Mark Cichonski, Mandi LeBlanc and Tristan Bolden, Music Design