Songs of the Week: February 14 - 20, 2022
“Pretenders” and “Snowy Owl” by Stars
Drop everything, there’s brand new music from Stars! It’s been a while since we’ve heard from the Montreal group (unless you subscribe to their Patreon, where they frequently post demos and teases) and now we have not one, but two brand new songs to hype their upcoming album, Capelton Hill.
The pair of tunes encapsulates the band perfectly, with “Pretenders” being a raucous, high energy love letter written from Amy Millan to the rest of the band; and “Snowy Owl” a more tender, acoustic track, with Amy and Torquil Campbell trading off vocals.
Capelton Hill comes out May 27th, or if you want more new music from Amy or Torq, both have been taking personalized commissions(!) on their respective twitter accounts, if you have a spare $1000.
Kirk
“RIP To Us” by Kelland & Willa
I’ve missed hearing Willa’s voice so much - although I do hear it almost daily with those Rogers commercials - but I was so excited to see she collaborated on a new track with (Vancouver-based artist) Kelland.
“RIP To Us” is a danceable banger of a break-up song, and the two artists compliment each other nicely.
I’d be down for a whole album between these two!
Christine
“Parade” by Frontperson
When Frontperson released their debut album in 2018, I was really hoping the collaboration between Kathryn Calder (New Pornographers, Immaculate Machine) and Mark Hamilton (Woodpigeon) (also, no relation) would not be a one-off.
So I was very happy to hear the playful pop-tinged “Parade” last week, and even happier to see it was the first single and title track for a new album!
The album was recorded on Vancouver Island, right near where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were staying, though reportedly "attempts to get some guest vocals proved unsuccessful."
Parade will be out April 29 on Calder's own Oscar St. Records!
Kirk
“Lights Of The City” by Pink Mountaintops
It’s been eight years (yes, EIGHT) since we’ve had any new music from Pink Mountaintops, and quite frankly I thought about this every time the sunset hit the mountains on the North Shore…
But that all ends now!
”Lights of The City” is the first new track from the band (created by Black Mountain frontman Stephen McBean), and the new album, Peacock Pools, is set to be released on May 6th!
If you want to hear from McBean’s brain on what happens in the video below, here you go:
“Lincoln Heights hilltop sunrise riff’n’bang sparks spree of vengeance by disgruntled ex-bass player turned cyborg tinkertronic handsome man, Ken The Walnut.
Obsessed with Pink Mountaintops demise The Walnut’s sinister plot almost succeeds in a Don McClean sized wave of rock’n’roll destruction.
Thankfully, Emily Rose’s Phantom of The Park summoned superpowers save the band group combo and with some collective post-dress rehearsal concert magic the former low frequency fiend is defeated. Let the rock prevail!”
Christine
“Stay” by The Bros. Landreth
Last week The Bros. Landreth dropped a brand new single, “Stay”.
The lead single off their upcoming album Come Morning, Joey Landreth says "Stay playfully explores a difficult topic for artists — wanting to settle and put some roots down. Though written from the perspective of a touring musician, anyone who’s looking to shift gears can relate."
Have a listen below, and mark down May 13th for the album’s release.
Kirk
