Songs of the Week: August 16 - 22, 2021

“Don’t Get Pushed Around (feat. Shad)” by Dave Monks

I will literally listen to ANY SONG that has the words “featuring Shad” next to the title, but seeing as it was a new song from the solo work of Tokyo Police Club frontman Dave Monks, I was going to listen no matter what.

Ironically enough, the song below is in Lyric Video form, but the only lyrics Monks says over and over are the ones in the track title: “Don’t Get Pushed Around”. Shad comes in about two thirds of the way into it and raises the word count instantly with his verse.

It’s a super catchy track and you can find it on his upcoming album I’ve Always Wanted To Be Me when it’s released on October 15th! (PS Shad’s new album TAO is out on October 1st!)

• Christine

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“Vortex” by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

16 years ago Nick Cave put out a three-disc collection of b-sides and rarities called, well, B-Sides & Rarities. In that time he’s released four new albums with The Bad Seeds, as well as other projects, so it looks like it’s time for a follow up!

B-Sides & Rarities Part II contains 27 rare and unreleased tracks spanning 2006-2020, including first recordings of songs, new versions of old favourites — like a live recording of “Push The Sky Away” with The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra — and unreleased tracks — like “Vortex”, a song that lives in the space between The Bad Seeds and side project Grinderman.

The new collection comes out on October 22 as a double vinyl or double CD, OR you can get a combo of Part I and Part II as a Limited Edition Deluxe Seven (7!) Vinyl Box Set.

• Kirk

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“Nothing Left To Find” by Del Barber

I wanted to include this live version of “Nothing Left To Find” by Del Barber this week because his new album Stray Dogs was released on Friday.
The album consists of a polished and reworked collection of songs and unfinished demos that Del had stored up. Using his time during the pandemic to put them together the result is a superb example of why Del is one of Canada’s best songwriters and story-tellers. Give the new record a listen!

• Christine

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“Strange Calm” & “Silver Lining” by Jasper Sloan Yip

Two more new tracks are now out from Vancouver’s Jasper Sloan Yip, whose new double EP, STRANGE CALM/BLUSHING AUTUMN, will be released October 26th.

Jasper says of title track off of the Strange Calm side of the EP is about how it is “an overwhelming time to be alive”. This is probably putting it mildly, but the song is slow and yes, is indeed calming. It’s definitely my favourite of the new releases so far.

”Silver Lining” was penned after hearing two ghost-adjacent stories that had Jasper thinking of the human soul and the idea that a part of us might go on forever.

Check em both out below!

• Christine

Songs of the Week: August 09 - 15, 2021

“Sometimes Amy” by Whitehorse

Not content with releasing one album this year, Whitehorse is gearing up to drop their second album of 2021 with Strike Me Down coming on September 10th.

And just ahead of the album’s release, we’re getting another tease with a new song “Sometimes Amy”. The song is described as “a laugh track for heartache”, with the catchy and upbeat melody belying slightly darker lyrics, with a slightly manic video to match. Check it out below!

• Kirk

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“Swing Swing Swing” by Arkells

I’ve got all the ROMO today after a weekend of FOMO while seeing pictures and video of the sold-out 3-night stand the Arkells just did in Toronto at the Budweiser Stage. But hey, at least we got another song this week from them!

”Swing Swing Swing” is the latest off the upcoming Blink Once album (Sept 30th), and fits right in with the other singles released so far. The video is in the same jittery, sped up style that the “One Thing I Know” vid was done in, but instead of a bright No Frills, the extended band are on a plain white background. Give it a listen below!

• Christine
  

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“Hot Boy” by k-os ft, KAGE E

More new music from k-os, and this time he’s brought 16-year old KAGE E along for it. The two connected and collaborated on “Hot Boy” - a super catchy, groovy track - and their vocals compliment each other very well.

Speaking of the Budweiser Stage and my FOMO, k-os is going to be performing there with Matt Mays, and Sam Roberts Band this week. I’ll just have to listen to the new single on repeat.

• Christine

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“Flood (feat. Julie Doiron)” by Astral Swans

Astral Swans are back, with a brand new song featuring the Canadian music icon Julie Doiron.

“Flood” is the first single off the upcoming self titled album, due out October 8th, and Matthew Swann explains “the objective was to create an upbeat, danceable pop song, that’s slightly sinister” which… seems to be an unintended theme with the songs this week so far…

Swann continues, saying: “The song has a lot of space and throwback production nods; think Scott Walker, meets Linda Ronstadt, meets Air. Julie’s background vocals then take it to a higher plane. So musically we have all that going on, and then lyrically it’s from the perspective of this Dostoyevskian underground man, antisocial personality type, who’s literally dreaming about being the last man on earth, alone with the object of his desires. The music is all glamour, contrasted against the unglamourous lyrics about the delusions of a 4chan incel.”

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: August 02 - 08, 2021

“It’s Over” by The Halluci Nation

Any video that starts off with an intro Damian Abraham of Fucked Up, is going to be excellent and, spoiler alert, that is exactly how the video for The Halluci Nation’s song “It’s Over” starts off.

The new album One More Saturday Night, officially came out on the 30th of July, and you can see them at the Malkin Bowl in just under a month, on September 8th!

• Christine

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The Sled Island Rock Lotto

This isn’t so much a song of the week as it is an album of the week. Calgary’s renowned Sled Island Music & Arts Festival released a collaborative album last week that randomly grouped 45 musicians from across Canada into one-off bands, tasking them to write and record a brand new song within a month.

The collaboration features musicians from Victoria to Fredericton and everywhere between, including members of Pale Lips, Tough Age, Jay Arner, Wares, and loads, loads more!

Check out the whole album below; my favourite song so far is “Sure Thing” by Casual Fridays, but let me know what yours is!

• Kirk

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Songs of the Week: July 26 - Aug 01, 2021

“The Alchemist” by The Wilderness of Manitoba

It’s been a while since we last heard from The Wilderness of Manitoba. Three years, in fact. But the Toronto band returned last week with a brand new single, “The Alchemist”. The new single is as dense and gorgeous as the band ever was, sounding like they never missed a step.
Have a listen below, and keep October 29th marked, as the release date for the new album, Farewell To Cathedral.

• Kirk

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“99 To The Moon” by Said the Whale

We’ve got an album name (Dandelon), a release date (October 22nd), and a new single (“99 To The Moon”) from Said The Whale and I couldn’t be more excited.
Oh wait, how about a 3-day home stand in Vancouver in March of next year at the Fox Cabaret, Biltmore Cabaret, and Vogue Theatre?! (and hints at a 4th show if you go to all 3!)

• Christine

Songs of the Week: July 19 - 25, 2021

“Gin Fizz” by Jasper Sloan Yip

What’s better than a new song from Jasper Sloan Yip? How about a pair of new songs! The new tunes come along with the announcement of a brand new double EP, Strange Calm / Blushing Autumn. Out October 26, the two separate EPs were written & recorded at different times with different producers, and different theme for each half.

Check out the video for the gorgeously dreamy “Gin Fizz” below, and click right here for the second song, “Halcyon Dream”. AND, if you’re in Vancouver, you can see him live (holy cow live music) on August 6 for the Tiny Kingdom Showcase at the Hollywood Theatre, with the stacked lineup of Yip, Haley Blais, and Babe Corner.

• Kirk

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“Maybe I’ll Be Gone” by JEEN

Last week, JEEN gave us another tease of her upcoming album, Dog Bite, with the latest song “Maybe I’ll Be Gone”. The song is a driving rocker that JEEN says is “a threat to leave after being taken for granted after too long.”

Co-produced by Ian Blurton (who also plays on the track), “Maybe I’ll Be Gone” was the last song added to the new album, which started as an EP but very quickly grew into a full length, and will be out this October.
Have a listen below, and just try not to get the chorus stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

• Kirk

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“bananas” by SonReal

Whenever I see that SonReal has released a new track that also has a video I get incredibly excited. Honestly, go back through his catalogue of them and you’ll see.
This latest one for “bananas” features the illusion of social media and influencers, and follows him as he attempts to achieve notoriety. The song will be on his next EP due out later this summer.

• Christine

Songs of the Week: July 12 - 18, 2021

“Threshold” by Debra-Jean Creelman

The title and lead-off track for Debra-Jean Creelman’s new album Threshold was released this week, as was the album itself.
Apparently this is one of the first songs DJ ever wrote - I’d never have known. It’s beautiful, ethereal and give me Feist-vibes. Check out the single below, and the full album here.

• Christine

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“My Own Heart” by Megan Nash

Saskatchewan’s Megan Nash shared yet another new single last week, releasing “My Own Heart” with her backing band, The Best Of Intentions (which is probably my current favourite backing band name)

Nash says the heart wrenching song is “about sitting with grief and loss. Feeling all of the heavy and uncomfortable feelings. And wanting to hear nothing but your own heartbeat. No inspirational quotes, no unsolicited relationship advice, no “fish in the sea” cliches. Just your heartbeat. Making sure it’s still there. That you’re still you.”

• Kirk

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“oh no!” by shy kids

The description of shy kids music in the PR email says that they “make psychedelic Disney music; curious pop made for weirdos who still like a good chorus”… which pretty much hits the nail on the head.

Recently signed to the new label EVERYTHING FOREVER started by Tyler Bancroft (of Said The Whale), these very fun musicians and filmmakers just release the new song “oh no!”, along with a video game ladened music video that is well worth several watches! Check it out below.

• Christine

Songs of the Week: July 05 - 11, 2021

“One Thing I Know” by Arkells

After a string of singles, Arkells have finally announced the details of their sixth studio album. Continuing in the tradition of two-word album titles, Blink Once comes out September 30th, and if the songs we’ve heard so far are any indication, it’s going to sound (and be) HUGE.

Case in point, latest single “One Thing I Know” is a bombastic, rowdy, feel-good sing-a-along that is no doubt going to be a crowd pleaser when the Hamilton boys get back on the road. Hit play below, and crank it up loud.

• Kirk

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“Hide Me Like You Do” by TITUS BANK

Vancouver’s TITUS BANK released his latest single last week, “Hide Me Like You Do”. The gorgeous pop tune was co-written with Toronto’s Valley, and BANK says “it was really special because it sparked a chemistry that I’ve never experienced before with any other songwriters. We spent the day getting to know each other, and then started writing the song by brainstorming title ideas and going from there. It was really organic and natural.”

The song is the second single he’s released recently, and here’s hoping for more (or even a full album) sooner rather than later.

• Kirk

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“Avocado” by Haviah Mighty

Haviah Mighty released a new song, “Avocado”, all about channelling inner confidence and has a fresh, summer-y vibe to go along with it. Collaborating with Toronto’s Grandtheft, the song will appear on her upcoming EP Stock Exchange this fall.

For now, open a window, sit in the sun and enjoy!

• Christine

Songs of the Week: June 28 - July 04, 2021

“Roman Candle Eyes” by Shred Kelly

It’s been one year since the release of Like A Rising Sun, the latest album from Fernie’s Shred Kelly, but they just released a (surreal) video for the banger “Roman Candle Eyes”. The new video comes as they head out on tour (holy crap, live music?!) hitting small towns in BC for what they’re calling the Tiny Concert Tour.

Check out the video below, and if you live somewhere between Kelowna and Calgary, you may get a chance to see them live!

• Kirk

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“When It Hurts” by Kandle

Not only is Set The Fire one of my favourite albums so far this year, but Kandle is really batting a thousand when it comes to videos from the album. Last week she released yet another video, this time for latest single “When It Hurts”. Directed by her frequent collaborator, Brandon William Fletcher, the video is described as “a timeless, Lynchian portrayal of a love gone wrong where both parties are stuck in a time loop of paralysis – afraid to leave due to the fear of the unknown.”

• Kirk

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“Words Left Unsaid” by Johnny 99

John Sponarski, aka Johnny 99, just released his first single off his forthcoming debut record last week. “Words Left Unsaid” comes with a trippy little video, and an awesome guitar solo in the middle.

Funny enough Kirk and I ran into John this past weekend in a park - hopefully the next time will be during an album release! Check out the single below.”

• Christine

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“Meantime” by Del Barber

Looks like I get the country songs this week!

Del Barber finally released the first single off his upcoming album Stray Dogs - which is out on August 20th!
Stray Dogs is a collection of unfinished songs Del had that he reworked during the pandemic and put them all together…hence the album name.

”Meantime” is a slow and dreamy, and if it’s an indication of the rest of the album, I can’t wait to sit on the beach in the sunshine and listen.

• Christine