▶︎▶︎ LPS / EPS

Graftician, Mandarins (Vancouver, BC)
The timbral variety and multi-layered melodies are all very interesting and draw from ambient, classical, and R&B histories; the prose is evocative and her voice is expressive, yet the vocal melodies often seem divorced from the instrumentals in a way that is unsettling but intriguing. I think the record fails as “pop” music, but as music-driven tone poems there is a lot to appreciate
Jon Neher | RIYL Hannah Epperson | Have you also heard? Witch Prophet
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Keysha Freshh, Field Trip (Toronto, ON)
MC Keysha Freshh is on her eighth solo release, a record she calls a “family affair” involving her cousin DJ Kid Kreme's production work, her brother's graphic design work, and fellow Sorority sister Haviah Mighty as a contributor. Field Trip is a ride through Freshh's prolific creative process that feels as fresh and current as a debut release.
Jim Di Gioia | RIYL Haviah Mighty | Have you also heard? Kimmortal
 

• Apollo Suns, Dawn Offerings (Winnipeg, MB)
• Alex Thériault, Après vous (Montréal, QC)
• Doreen, Ruthless Severance (Edmonton, AB)
• Ametron, Atelier Elektro (Ontario / Bucharest)
• Jeremie Albino, Hard Time (Toronto, ON)

▶︎▶︎ SONGS

“Time on Earth" by Hollerado (Ottawa, ON)
It's true that all bands will eventually break-up, but very few ever give their fans as much advanced warning as Hollerado. The Royal Mountain Records founders are set to hang up their matching tracksuits at the end of 2019, but they aren't going quietly. They're a band I have always taken for granted, in that they're consistent and will always be around to add some fun to the Canadian music scene. “Time on Earth” is a reminder that's not going to be the case for much longer. Both the song and its video are absurdly fun.  
Jim Di Gioia | RIYL Sloan | Have you also heard? Nick Ferrio

“The Moral Compass of a Self-Driving Car" by Yoo Doo Right (Montreal, QC)
Nearly 7 minutes of exploratory rock music in a single song that goes a ton of places in interesting ways.
Jon Neher | RIYL Blessed | Have you also heard? Shirley & The Pyramids

“Bound Together" by Scott Hardware (Petrolia, ON)
“Bound Together” has a warm yet haunting atmosphere with its vocal presence, taking a deep dive into electronic music with spurts of flailing, squealing synthesizers. Being backed by a good chunk of U.S. Girls helps with the retro-cool factor.
Josh Weinberg | RIYL Yves Jarvis | Have you also heard? Andre Ethier

“A Sweet Song" by St.Arnaud (Edmonton, AB)
"A Sweet Song" by St.Arnaud (Edmonton singer-songwriter Ian St. Arnaud) is a catchy folk-rock track for those in need of a pick-me-up. "We’ve had enough of this sadness. We’ve had our fill of ‘the way it goes’," St. Arnaud sings before a bright, horn-powered chorus that's like a rush of endorphins kicks in. A sweet song, indeed.
Laura Stanley | RIYL Dan Mangan | Have you also heard? Eliza Niemi

“Burn It To The Ground (All These People Have Families)" by J Blissette (Lethbridge, AB)
A driving, crunchy piece of garage rock bordering on pop-punk. The duelling guitars and catchy backing vocals grow stronger with each spin.
Josh Weinberg | RIYL Partner | Have you also heard? Too Young To Go Steady

“Bedroom Pop" by Valois (Ottawa, ON)
Valois is a reliably great band not only because of their guitar-and-synth pop music but also because they're outspoken. They've previously dedicated a song to the great women making and producing music, and "Bedroom Pop" sees a singer working with a male producer who turns out to be...not the best person. Zoe Towne's strong and proud vocals anchor this dreamy-sounding song, and the phrase "You don't owe him" should come across pretty clear as the song's thesis.
Michael Thomas | RIYL Young Galaxy | Have you also heard? LAPS
 

• “A Love Letter to Alan Smithee" by Alexander and the Great Ones (Edmonton, AB)
• “Kapow” by Madame Psychosis (Toronto, ON)
• “Bad Day” by Autogramm (Vancouver, BC)
• “Chances” by The Almighty Rhombus (Sudbury, ON)
• “Came to Fight” by Northern Hearts (Coburg, ON)
• “Blondie” by Capitol (Hamilton, ON)

 

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