When Charlie Brand starting writing Miniature Tigers‘ forthcoming album, Mia Pharaoh, he culled as much influence from post-Cubist pop artist David Hockney as he did from Beyoncé and the Bee Gees. Brand took up painting, saying that “this artistic awakening affected my songwriting. I started viewing production as brush strokes—some bolder than others, and some restrained, so that a song can sound great without overloading it with ideas.” Check out Brand’s musical palette on Spotify, as well as the liner notes for this impressionistic pop journey below.

Miniature Tigers / Charlie Brand

Beyoncé – “Love on Top”
I like to daydream about Beyoncé and Jay’s love and the future ruler of earth, Blue Ivy Carter.

Van Dyke Parks – “Come to the Sunshine”
VDP takes me to another planet.

Joni Mitchell – “All I Want”
I recently got Blue on vinyl and have been relaxing around the house with it. I love her voice and lyrics.

Book of Love – “I Touch Roses”
Apparently the singer of this band was David Byrne’s babysitter.

Bee Gees – “Claustrophobia”
When thinking of the Bee Gees, I imagine most people think of Saturday Night Fever. However, they had a very prolific career long before that. Check out their record Odessa.

The Shangri-Las “Leader of the Pack”
I wish someone would write a song like this about me. Unlikely, considering I don’t ride a motorcycle.

Rick Ross (feat. Nicki Minaj) – “You the Boss”
Rick Ross is the boss.

Nina Simone – “Do What You Gotta Do”
Oh Nina, baby.

New Edition – “Mr. Telephone Man” 
Heard this song for the first time recently and fell in love with it. It’s so naive.

Simon & Garfunkel – “Punky’s Dilemma”
I can listen to this song on a loop. It makes me feel like I’m relaxing in soft Californian sunlight.

D’Angelo – “Africa”
I was so happy to hear news about D’Angelo returning to the stage and the possibility of a new album. I’m a huge fan of Voodoo, how restrained and how much space is on the record. Timeless.

Willie Nelson –  ”Stardust” 
“Stardust” is one of my favorite songs. Willie Nelson’s version is so beautiful that anytime I hear it I have to stop what I’m doing and give it my full attention.