Songs of the Week: August 07 - 13, 2023

“Cry All Day” by Spencer Krug

Spencer Krug has been hard at work for the last couple years. Two solo albums, an instrumental album, and a Sunset Rubdown reunion tour, yet he’s still at it.

“Cry All Day” is the first single off his latest solo album, I Just Drew This Knife, which is actually a collaboration between Krug, Jordan Koop, and Eli Browning. Krug’s distinct vocals were added to Browning's instrumental pandemic recordings, with Koop on lead guitar.

The new album is due October 13 on Krug's own Pronounced Kroog label, and he’ll be touring with Koop and Browning, including a show here in Vancouver at the Fox Cabaret on October 18th!

• Kirk

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“You Always Get What You Want” by Yukon Blonde

Always a great week when you find out there is a new Yukon Blonde album on it’s way!

Shuggie will be the band’s 6th album, and is going to be released on October 12th via Dine Alone Records. We also got a new track, “You Always Get What You Want”, the 3rd single from the new record.

The new music fits smoothly into Yukon Blonde’s latest sound evolution, with hypnotic vibes and synth-laden tracks. I can’t wait for the full album in two months!

• Christine

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“Nothing is Perfect” by Metric

Metric is here to remind you that “Nothing is Perfect”. The new tease of their upcoming album, which is a ‘sequel’ to their 2022 album Formentera, is a gorgeous, stripped down track. Emily Haines explains:

“'Nothing Is Perfect' stands out on Formentera II as the lone track that is carried by only acoustic guitar and vocals. We explored many renditions of this song during the recording process, but in the end found that everything we tried adding seemed to detract from the essence of it. Lyrically, 'Nothing Is Perfect' takes the common expression away from its usual meaning, giving substance to “nothing” as a concrete thing that can be actively pursued and obtained: Nothing is perfect/ I've earned it/ All absence achieved/ No fences, no exits, no lies. For the official music video, we worked with Justin Broadbent to create an atmospheric and surreal visual accompaniment to enhance the otherworldly mood of the song, with stylistic nods to Terrence Malick and David Lynch. The song ends with a meditative and anthemic repetition of the word “nothing”, like I'm celebrating it and singing its praises. I love nothing!”

Formentera II is also out October 13th, and you can check out the video below!

• Kirk

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“Starting Again” by Royal Wood

Royal Wood is a name I haven’t heard for a hot minute, but I was super excited to see that he had new music out!
Not only do we have today’s single “Starting Again”, but I completely missed the other release “Just Another Day” which is the title track of the EP (due out September 22nd - also the first day of his latest tour).

Of “Starting Again” Royal Wood says: “This song was inspired by the timeless idea of love and loss. Since the beginning of stories and recorded art, the theme is as old as the sea. Two ships sailing together, go different routes, never to return to each other again. Fate had other plans and more adventures ahead. So you start again…”

Wood is heading out on the road with the legendary Bonnie Raitt, but you’ll have to head to Penticton to catch them, as that’s as far west as they look to be heading.

• Christine

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“Even if it Kills Me” by Charlie PS

Last week Vancouver’s Charlie PS released her latest single, “Even If It Kills Me”.

The blues-rock influenced song was written about change & perseverance, with Charlie elaborating: “I feel that a lot of people agonize over their flaws and insecurities or just care too much and want to change into a version of themselves they think will make them happier. But I hope that ‘Even If It Kills Me’ will help remind people that being the realest version of yourself and showing the world the good, the bad and the ugly is a much more freeing place to be in.”

The song is the title track for her upcoming EP, Even If It Kills Me, which should be out later this year.

• Kirk
  

Songs of the Week: July 31 - August 06, 2023

“Home” by Hannah Georgas

Swaying along to this dreamy new pop song from Hannah Georgas this morning!

“Home” is the latest of a handful of singles that have been released, as we creep closer to the launch date for Hannah’s new album I’d Be Lying If I Said I Didn’t Care, due out August 25th.

Of the song she says: “"I feel like the word home is really emotionally loaded and can mean so many different things to different people. This song is about dealing with feelings of being lost and unsettled, and comparing that to others who seem to have it figured out. It’s about a feeling of estrangement and exclusion, only made even more polarizing when you’re confronted with the opposite experience amongst your peers or in the media.”

Hannah also announced dates for Western Canada, and she will be performing at the Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver on December 7th.

• Christine

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“It Might Just Rain Like This For Days” by The Fugitives

Vancouver folk group The Fugitives are gearing up to release their sixth album in a couple months, with an eye to the current climate crisis.

The latest single, “It Might Just Rain Like This For Days” exemplifies the themes of the album, with singer Adrian Glynn explaining:
“We’ve decided to engage the immediacy of the climate crisis with music and lyrics that are personal, earnest, and unafraid of playfulness. Amidst our research, a side effect of our grief was a connectivity to others. As such, the album is not an overt call to political action, but an exploration of the joyful motivations behind standing up for the world, and a celebration of the wit, care, and resolve humans can display under even the most devastating circumstances. It acknowledges there's no help coming, it's only us, and that that just might be good — because one thing humans can excel at is forming and gaining strength from community.’”

The duo of Adrian Glynn and Brendan McLeod are joined by Chris Suen and Carly Frey for No Help Coming, which is out Oct. 20, on Fallen Tree Records.

• Kirk

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“Somebody Just Like Me” by Bahamas

Bahamas is looking very Ken-like in this new video for his latest release “Somebody Just Like Me” (I’m also obsessed with the Garth Brooks t-shirt he has as well!).

If you missed it, Bahamas has decided to release a country album, titled Bootcut, which is still very close to his signature sound, but with a little more twang.

He will be performing on the Sunday afternoon of the Ambleside Music Festival in Vancouver - not sure if it will be a full Bootcut style set, or a mix of everything (my hope).

• Christine

Songs of the Week: July 24 - 30, 2023

“Twenty Twenty” by Tim Baker

Just shy of a year out from his last album, The Festival, Tim Baker has announced a brand new companion EP, Along The Mountain Road.

The first single off the EP, “Twenty Twenty”, is a soaring song about Tim’s move from Toronto back to Newfoundland, and bracing himself for the uncertainty of the eponymous year.

Along The Mountain Road drops October 20th!

• Kirk

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“Sure To Come” by iskwē

It’s always a good day for new music from iskwē.

“Sure to Come” is an incredibly catchy song — thanks in part to a marimba played by Miguel Haller, recorded in Mexico City — but with a much deeper undercurrent, as iskwē describes: “With so many ways to become obsolete in this world, and all the things we’re afraid of, it brings me a sense of calm knowing the only piece that’s certain is some day I’ll be forgotten. We cancel each other at the push of a button, we crumble at the thought of being entirely alone. Whether it be our turn now or tomorrow, that day is sure to come.”

So check it out below for the most upbeat existential crisis you’ll have all week!

• Kirk

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“Change of Scene” by The Matinee

The Matinee have officially announced the release date for their fourth studio album, as well as the title track, “Change Of Scene”.
The album by the name name is set to be released on September 22nd and will be their first independent record.

With the announcement, we also got a video of the band out on lead singer Matt Layzell’s boat in English Bay. The song was a collective effort from the band after sharing a road trip down to Oregon and back - with no real itinerary or plan (or shows) - just a classic trip with the room to see everything and anything along the way.

The band will be performing at the Mosaic Arts Festival, and Harmony Arts Festival this week/month.

• Christine

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“Mama” by Hotel Mira

When the new track “Mama” from Hotel Mira kicks off, you might think you were going to get a pretty little ballad, but it quickly takes off into a fun, emo-tinged banger!

The band is set to release their new album I Am Not Myself, in just over a month on September 8th, after setting out on a huge tour this past spring.
But if you want to hear them in person this summer, you’ll be able to catch them if you’re in Kelowna for Rock The Lake on the Friday evening.

• Christine

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“3/2 (Loves Me)” by Clare Siobhan

I was hooked on the new song from Clare Siobhan, “3/2 (Loves Me)”, with the first line:
“We’re not a perfect match, we’re a perfect misfit”

The charming song was inspired by a prompt from a creative writing exercise, to craft a song with the word of “misfit,” though Claire explains, “I was thinking about it and didn’t really want to write a misfit-themed song in the original sense of the word, so I decided to start writing something I knew: I was falling in love at the time, and it was exciting and scary and all I could think about.”

“3/2 (Loves Me)” is the first single off her upcoming debut EP, which should be out later this year.

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: July 16 - 23, 2023

“Say When” by Dan Mangan

A few weeks ago, Dan Mangan went a little viral with a video talking about writing a radio friendly hit that he ended up loving, and now… we get to hear the results of that.

“Say When” was written with Lowell, and Dan explains “We were talking about how no matter how grateful you are for wherever you’re at in your artist journey, you still want more. It always feels like a truly big break is just around the corner, but that the obstacles between you and that break are ambiguous and ephemeral. It’s like you’re trying so hard and you’re stuck waiting for luck to come and anoint you. The song is totally earnest, but it’s also self-aware…like, I understand how ridiculous and self-indulgent it is to want cheerleaders to carry you through your hometown.”

As advertised, the new single is incredibly catchy, and will dig into your head for the rest of the day (week?). Check it out below, and don’t forget to root for Dan in the Polaris Music Prize, where his latest album Being Somewhere was just shortlisted!

• Kirk

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“Me & Me” by The Beaches

I’m so excited for The Beaches to release their new album Blame My Ex on September 15th, because every single they’ve dropped so far has been a banger.

This includes their latest “Me & Me”, which is a fast-paced anthem for single-hood (a theme to this new album).
It’s a beachy, soft rock jam tune and another perfect summer single (with a cute lyric video below).

• Christine

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Songs of the Week: July 10 - 16, 2023

“Price You Pay” & “Hot City” by Bend Sinister

Crank the volume, because Bend Sinister is back! The band has been quiet for the last few years, but last week they released not one, but two brand new singles, “Price You Pay” and “Hot City”.

Both new songs are as soaring and high energy as you would expect from the Vancouver band, with “Price You Pay” about the highs and lows of touring, and “Hot City” feeling like a late-night-cruise summer jam.

No word yet on a new album, but if the pair of songs are any indication, I can’t wait to hear more.

• Kirk

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“Somebody Just Like Me”, “Second Time Around”
and “Working On My Guitar” by Bahamas

Not to upstage Bend Sinister above, but Bahamas released THREE songs this week, and not only that, but they’re from a country album!

“Somebody Just Like Me”, “Second Time Around” and “Working On My Guitar” all have Bahamas signature vocals with a little more twang, country style lyrics with some pedal steel behind them.

Bootcut will be out on September 15th and I cannot wait. Hopefully we hear a taste when he rolls through town next month for the Ambelside Music Festival.

• Christine

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“Just Shadows” by JEEN

There is just no stopping JEEN. The Toronto musician has put out three albums in as many years, and is already gearing up for her fourth, with the new single “Just Shadows”.

The fast-paced, grungy tune was written while JEEN was thinking “how the darker parts of everything can snuff out some of the best people's light. It’s about trying to get out from under it so we don’t just become casualties of our shittiest days. I lost all my demo projects for this upcoming album in a massive computer failure last year, so Ian suggested we just go in and jam the songs a bunch top to bottom and re-demo them before we started tracking for real. We had never done it that way for the previous albums; always just worked off my home demos as opposed to rehashing the songs prior with the full band. Anyway, it was super fun to go a little deeper on these songs at that early stage and I think the whole LP is better for it.”

The new album, Gold Control, is once again co-produced by her long-time collaborator, Canadian icon Ian Blurton, though no date yet for the upcoming album.

• Kirk

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Songs of the Week: July 03 - July 09, 2023

“My Old Mistakes” by Wide Mouth Mason

Last week, venerated Canadian blues rockers Wide Mouth Mason gave us another peek at their upcoming album. The newest single “My Old Mistakes” is classic Mason, with a few lyrics that may be familiar to longtime fans.

Of the new album, drummer Safwan Javed says "We're pushing our boundaries, exploring new musical landscapes, while staying true to our roots. The new material reflects our growth as artists, and we hope it resonates with our fans as much as it does with us."

Late Night Walking is out September 8th on We Are Busy Bodies, and they’re also reissuing a limited vinyl run of their debut self titled album, and the acclaimed Where I Started on the same day!

• Kirk

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“Just The Once” by Metric

A little ironic that Metric is announcing the follow up to last year’s album Formentera with a song called “Just The Once”. Exactly one year after that album’s release, the Toronto band has dropped the news of the unexpected companion album, Formentera II.

The new single is described as “regret disco”, with Emily Haines clarifying“It's a song for when you need to dance yourself clean. Beneath the sparkling surface, there’s a lyrical exploration of a simple word with many meanings. Once is a word that plays a game of opposites. Once can mean once-upon-a-time and refer to a moment in the past, or it can mean someday, once something happens. And as for doing something only once versus doing something once in a while, well, I think we all know how vast the difference is between the two.”

Have a listen below, and mark October 13 on your calendar for the release of Formentera II!

• Kirk

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“Nothing For A While” by Shred Kelly

Another new track from Fernie’s Shred Kelly, and an album announcement.
“Nothing For A While” is the latest tune from their 6th album, Blurry Vision, which is due out October 20th.

The song is about the world changing at a fast and overwhelming pace, and the video does a great job at showcasing it. In it, singer Tim Newton is running furiously around their hometown of Fernie, BC - almost as furiously as he plays his banjo during an epic solo mid-song.

The band is on the road doing their usual summer music festival route, but they’ll also be on tour late September/early October with Elliott BROOD, and will be making a stop in Vancouver on October 6th!

• Christine

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“Normalize” by Mother Mother

Ever since blowing up online a few years back, Mother Mother has barely slowed down. And now they’re back with the new single “Normalize”.

The song has the chaotic alt-pop energy we love from the band, with singer Ryan Guldemond explaining it’s about “the metaphorical death which occurs when we’re not being ourselves; the deadening of the spirit when trying to appease some external framework of so-called normalcy. Ideally, it’s an anthem for the outcast. We’re very fortunate to look out at our audience to see such a wealth of uniqueness. This song is our way of telling our people to keep being themselves, whatever that means to them. What is normal? We don’t know, and I’m not sure we care.”

No word yet on a new album, but you can check out the video for “Normalize” below!

• Kirk

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“Fake Happy” by Hannah Georgas

Another beautiful (and sad) new song from Hannah Georgas from the album I’d Be Lying If I Said I Didn’t Care, due out August 25th

The song is about a drifting apart of a relationship, and of it Hanna says: “Over the years we grew apart and trying to maintain a connection had begun to feel uncomfortable. I think sometimes we cling onto what’s left of friendships even if our values no longer align and we’ve changed as people. I don't know if it's a getting older thing but I've come to realize how important it is to focus my energy on the people who support me and are positive sources in my life.” I think we’ve all be there throughout the years - I know I have.

She’s also announced some November Canadian tour dates, but no Vancouver show yet - but I’ll keep my eye out!

• Christine

Songs of the Week: June 26 - July 02, 2023

“Air I Walk” by Zeus

Oh my gods, Zeus are back! It’s been nearly a decade since we last heard from the Toronto quartet, but they have returned with a brand new album, CREDO.

Along with the album announcement comes their first single, “Air I Walk”. Picking up exactly where they left off, the incredibly catchy song features the band’s unparalleled harmonies and throwback rock sound.

CREDO is out September 8th on Arts & Crafts, and immediately became one of my most anticipated albums of the year.

• Kirk

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“Just Another Day” by Royal Wood

Royal Wood is back with a 5-song EP Just Another Day (set to come out September 22), and has released the title track.
He not only (for the first time) solely wrote, arranged, performed and produced the song himself, but also engineered and recorded it as well.

He’s heading out on the road to support living legend Bonnie Raitt - although the closest stop to Vancouver is Penticton, that might be worth the drive for that show!

• Christine

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“Skin” by Arkells

Arkells have to be one of the hardest working bands going right now. They recently announced a new album, which will be their third new album in as many years (four if you count the acoustic album Campfire Chords).

The latest single is “Skin”, and feels destined to be a big singalong at Arkells’ legendary live shows. Singer Max Kerman explains the song “is about choosing to love more purposefully, about finding meaning in the hard stuff. It’s about coming to the understanding that the best and deepest relationships are far beyond what we experience on the surface.”

Sticking with their two-word title scheme, the new album is called Laundry Pile and drops September 21st!

• Kirk

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“Baby Teeth” by Haley Blais

This week Haley Blais announced that her sophomore full-length album, Wisecrack, will be due out on September 15th (via Arts & Crafts)!
We’ve had three singles released from said album over the last few months, and with the release announcement came another one, titled “Baby Teeth”.

The track comes with a super trippy video that I could see being on the Prism Prize list next year (speaking of, this year’s winner is announced on Thursday).
Of the song Haley says: “It’s a bunch of snippets of my life, of seemingly insignificant moments that made me who I am today, I think.”

• Christine

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“Walk Among the Stars” by Odds

Last week Odds released the third single from their upcoming album, Crash The Time Machine!

“Walk Among the Stars” is described as “a musical map pointing to fond memories of camaraderie and creativity. It's set in the town of Bath, Ontario and it's a tribute to friendship. Kindred spirits raise a toast on the frozen lakeshore. It's a rock 'n roll landscape painting.”

Check it out below, and keep an ear out for Crash the Time Machine, out August 4th!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: June 19 - 25, 2023

“Open Heart” by Rae Spoon

Rae Spoon is back with a new album Not Dead Yet. The songs revolve around their experience with a cancer diagnosis, and the treatment that followed, through a system they went out of their way to avoid.
The first single is “Open Heart” and of it, Rae says: “I was hospitalized for over a year with complications from cancer treatments. The beginning of my time there was very difficult because a lot of the people who worked there didn’t know much about trans/non-binary people or trauma-informed care. I tried to get to know my nurses, doctors, and care aids as they got to know me. Over time, many of them changed how they were treating me. This song is about hope for change in oppressive systems through relationships.”

• Christine

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“Isumagijunnaitaungituq (The Unforgiven)” by Elisapie

“Isumagijunnaitaungituq (The Unforgiven)” is the third song Elisapie has released off her upcoming covers/reimages album Inuktitut, and I am loving each new song more than the last.

Much like her versions of Blondie and Cyndi Lauper, the decision to translate a Metallica song came from a special memory, specifically the time she interviewed Kirk Hammett in the early 90s. Elisapie explains:

“When I was 14 years old, I applied for a job at TNI, the first Inuit TV-radio broadcaster, and I was thrilled when I was chosen for the position! Everyone at the station dreamed big, and they put in a request for an interview with Metallica. The band was so loved in Salluit that we had to give it a shot. Metallica accepted only two interviews on their Québec tour, and TNI was chosen. In my boys' eyes, I was the coolest!
As a teenager, I only wanted to hang around the gang of boys in my village. We would all go to my cousin's house and smoke weed while listening to Metallica. The band's music allowed us to delve into the darkness of our broken souls and feel good there. Men's roles in our territory had been challenged by colonization, and it had become confusing what life was supposed to look like for a man. My boys were seeking new roles, and subconsciously, I allowed them to be my bodyguards so they could feel strong. Looking back, I was trying to give them the strength to find their place.”

Inuktitut is out September 15th, and includes covers from Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, and more!

-Kirk

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“Fuck Yourself” by Fast Romantics

The fact that the video doesn’t even appear down below because of age restrictions is beyond hilarious to me.
So was opening my email last week, only to see a song titled “Fuck Yourself”. I laughed pretty hard.
And while it’s all kinds of amusing, Fast Romantics created a very catchy, anthemic song, with a great sing-a-long chorus.
Lead singer Matthew Angus says: “This started out as a song about a very specific person, but as I wrote, it kept shapeshifting into being about a whole spectrum of human dumpster fires. By the end -- as so often happens -- the target turned out to be myself. Now that it’s finished, your guess is as good as mine as to who it’s really about, but it feels really fucking good to sing and that’s all that matters to me.”

The video, which they (accurately) described as “Full House meets Battlestar Galactica meets The Trueman Show”, is definitely worth the watch - so click through to it below.

• Christine