Best Of 2020... So Far.
Globally, 2020 has been a rollercoaster of emotions. So much has been ongoing that it’s hard to focus on music at times. But music is what we do at the Cups N Cakes Network! We champion new sounds… specifically Canadian ones. So while world events dominate the planets collective psyche, we continue to sift through hundreds of new releases to deliver you the best new music coming out of our vast country. Today, we are happy to give you nine releases that we think have been a cut above the rest this year. Please enjoy our list of the best releases of 2020… so far.
Cindy Lee - What’s Tonight to Eternity
While past Cindy Lee albums offered a blurry voyeuristic peek into the world of Patrick Flegel, the album What’s Tonight to Eternity opens the metaphorical door slightly further. It’s arguably their most accessible album to date with most tracks oscillating between catchy melodies and squalls of noise.
This duality is on full display on the drone heavy title track and the gyrating synth number “Lucifer Stand” which has the most harrowing spoken word outro freezing you right in the tracks. The baroque harpsichord shuffle of “I Want You To Suffer” gives way to harsh noisescapes as if the radio transmission is flickering between the past and present. The production on the album has this disintegrating corrosive quality to it as if the songs were left out in the sun for a little too long developing a beautiful blown out patina.
It seems like Cindy Lee has developed a cult-like personality among their obsessive fans. Previously, one would have to scour the internet to read an interview with them. This is slowly changing as Patrick Flegel seems more comfortable in shining a light on past traumas and future possibilities, albeit on their own terms. They have already released a second album in 2020 titled Cat O’ Nine Tails with a third album possibly coming out this summer. 2020 really is the year of Cindy Lee and we as listeners are fortunate to be receiving this trinity in our troubled times.
- Piyush Patel
Andy Shauf – Neon Skyline
You call up a friend. You meet them for a drink. You bullshit, you drink, you bullshit some more. You hear your ex is back in town, but you didn’t know. You sit and think, you drink, and think some more about those times together. You don’t expect it, but there she is, in real life, joining you for a night on the town. She mentions she misses this, you feel that small leap, and you say you miss her too. She says she means your coat. You remember, you drink, and you are taken back to the reasons why it didn’t work. You say goodbye, and you take another path home.
Neon Skyline is a conversation with a friend, a reminder of love come and gone. But more so, it’s a clever rendition of something that a lot of us can relate to. The album takes place over a single night, a concept not foreign to Andy Shauf as he softly sympathizes with himself, finding humour in loneliness. It’s a fictional story wrapped in the disguise of an indie album, surprising you chapter after chapter with a sense of familiarity you swore to forget.
- Carly Weiler
Witch Prophet - DNA Activation
DNA Activation, the sophomore LP from Toronto based artist Witch Prophet, rightfully holds a spot as one of Cups N Cakes favourite albums of 2020… so far - but Witch Prophet does not need our validation. She already knows she is creating purposeful music, informing those who reign supreme that she won’t be held back, as she confidently claims on “Makda”: “Bow down to the queen...I am black, yeah, black as the sun, obsidian, obsidian.. Bow down to the queen, I’m the keeper of history, you negus can’t f*ck with me no”. Each of the album’s ten songs are named after one of Witch Prophet’s family members, and inspired by biblical texts, myths, and the music and stories of her Ethiopian, Eritrean roots. At times harmonizing with another one of her own vocals, a bass line, or playing off one of Karen Ng’s simmering saxophone melodies, Witch Prophet demonstrates assertiveness and pride on this album.
A heightened level of self-awareness is found throughout DNA Activation, with Witch Prophet recognizing her own ability to invoke change and encourage growth on the album’s second track “Roman”: “I will not forget the power that lies in me, not forget everything starts with a seed”. Witch Prophet’s smooth vocals and steller co-production with DJ SUN SUN make this an easy album to throw on in the background but be prepared for this meditative, spiritual project to be left on repeat. The seeds planted by Witch Prophet will sprout and weave through your subconscious while her gifts become more and more apparent with each listen.
- Greg Torwalt
Jon McKiel - Bobby Joe Hope
Warbling dreamily along sandy-bottomed rivers, Bobby Joe Hope reclines in an idling canoe and counts the shafts of summer light as they pierce the sun-dappled canopy above. Music for drifting downstream, Jon Mckiel’s newest record is a bucolic accompaniment to our fondest days. Memories from youth flicker as they pass, catching the afternoon warmth and reflecting it back, beckoning us deeper into the peacefully winding glen carved by the stream.
On his fifth studio album, Jon Mckiel channels the spirit of an unknown entity by incorporating found samples into nine murmuring songs. The record’s unwitting benefactor is the previous owner of an old tape machine purchased by Mckiel and ultimately plumbed for resources, as the tapes that came with the device contained a wealth of musical history seemingly abandoned by the seller. Like a fish released back into the current, these mysterious aural landscapes eventually found a new home.
The musicianship on Bobby Joe Hope is superb, which comes as no surprise considering the upper echelon talent of the band’s members. The production stands out proudly as well, entwined in such a way with the songwriting that the two elements seem destined for each other. Jay Crocker of JOYFULTALK mixed the record and is one of the masterminds behind this blissful synergy, as both he and Mckiel have been friends and collaborators for years. And Mckiel’s voice is timeless, the melodies he croons forth nestling comfortably among the gilded strains of guitar, the colourful notes merging with our expectations in a way that bespeaks the organic unity of this album. It is a true pleasure to listen to, again and again, as we wear on into June.
- Nick Maas
Wares – Survival
Wares’ second full-length holds personal significance for me both as a friend and avid listener. I was graced with songs like “Jeremiah” all the way back in 2013 – even got to see the musical development of Wares from early recordings to EP’s, singles, and the first full-length. Survival marks a significant leap in Cassia Hardy’s musicianship, as she will always set a strong bar for her work. Every song is a fleshed-out effort by a dedicated songwriter probing into herself, her community in Edmonton, and how of these things intersect as a source of inspiration in her work.
Hardy is an exceptional lyricist, as no song goes without poetic power. Each song contends with difficulties ranging from reflections over gender transition and its affirmations, friendship and solidarity in dire times, inspirational love, and the sobering confrontation with the existential crises of all these conservative political machineries set to motion against all that we love. Hardy’s musical composition follows through in captivating the emotional heights of these themes, like in the solemn “Living Proof,” the passionate “Surrender into Loving Arms,” and the fundamentally uncompromising “Survival.” Hardy’s work is unmatched, as the album as a whole offers an anthem for community organizing to combat the political and existential threats of our times – her passion should make you want to fight for what you love.
- Simone A. Medina Polo
Body Lens - BL Mini
Body Lens’ latest EP BL Mini came just as many of us needed it; the record dropped midway through March, and seemed at the time to be the perfect soundtrack for a world that was grinding to a halt. The bass and drums are tight and sparse when needed, and when matched with the angular and hypnotic guitar parts, creates the kind of controlled chaos that the band is known for, and that perfectly matched this bizarre moment in history. Each of these songs feels like it’s about to blow, and the preaching or chanting nature of the vocals plays no small part in ratcheting up the tension. “ikon” is the standout track on an EP full of them; chiming guitars, a driven rhythm section, and a positively dystopian vocal performance builds over 5 minutes to make you feel like you’re in a car racing towards a cliffside, before bailing out at the last minute.
It’s this ability to keep an audience on the edge of their seats (even when listening in headphones at home) that makes their live show such a thrill, and I can’t help but thinking about the what a shame it is that we won’t get to see them at Sled Island this year. At least we get another brilliant EP to stew on, while we whittle away the hours until we can stretch our limbs, shake the dust from our clothes, and get down with Body Lens in person once again.
- Sean Newton
Black Thunder - La Fine Creata
For me, Psych Rock is quite a varied musical genre. Trust me, Black Thunder is unique in this sonic landscape. I don't know if it's their prairie upbringing or love of coffee that helps me really resonate with their tunes. If I even sniff that an acquaintance or friend has mathy or psych tendencies, I urge them to listen to La Fine Creata, or drag them to a live show. Remember live shows? Big Sigh.
At their shows, it's easy to pick out the uninitiated. Amongst the knowing smiles and closed eyes nods, the newbs open mouthed gaping is evident. And when I have the luxury of bringing a friend, it brings me great joy watching them cycling through the three reactions.
Tony ( Guitars, Synth, Vocals) remarked what a relief it is to finally have the release. La Fina Creata was recorded over two years ago. The album was engineered, mixed and mastered by Chris Dimas, while Orion Paradis handled the vinyl mastering. The album's art and design fell to Jason Thiry. The band's newest trick is the addition of synth throughout. Black Thunder are pleased this latest creation is the best they've ever put out.
Black Thunder cannot wait to get back to the riff factory writing more riffs. La Fine Creata marks the inevitable evolution of an already sick prairie progressive rock/heavy psych institution. It is a fine addition to our list of the best of 2020… so far.
- Drew Cox
Factor Chandelier - First Storm
2020 has been a gong show but not all of it! The music that has come out of this pandemic has been pretty out of this world! I’d like to give some props to Factor Chandelier. He comes to us from sunny Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and has been in the game for some time. A well known name in the industry.
Factor Chandelier’s new album First Storm is something quite phenomenal! It’s got an industrial feel, with stellar layers of sounds and samples. Incredible collaborations with unique rhythms and rhymes. Its pretty electric and revolutionary in Canadian Trip Hop/Hip Hop category.
I could feel the emotion. The blood, sweat, and tears. This album is a tribute to his son I believe. ‘Better Way’ being my favourite on the album. The strings, the trumpets and a gradual intensity that builds, the soft background vocals and some fiery rhymes and ya… I threw it on repeat. It gets stuck in my head, I’ve even got choreography envisioned in my head.
First Storm is a storm to get caught up in. It’s not your typical Trip Hop/Hip Hop sound...it’s the future!
- Noreen Hurst
Ghost Woman - Beat It, Kook
I’ve probably listened to Ghost Woman’s May 1st release, Beat It, Kook a minimum of 100 times. Granted it’s only four songs but faaaaccck... it’s deadly. It is 100% my top pick for Best of 2020... So Far. Southern Cali steely guitar sounds with a bluesy backbeat. Reminiscent slightly of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club with a Link Wray earthiness. This album has the feel of a 1960’s underground desert sessions party with only the hippest of musical cats invited. It’s upbeat with a darker groovy edge. It will make you want to glide on up to the long-haired sexy something at the bar and bring them onto the dance floor. Ghost Woman’s Beat It, Kook saddled up beside their self-titled 2019 album is my soundtrack for this summer, filled with beaches, naked excursions into moonlit lakes and fireside dancing to the grooviest, swampiest psych-rock albums I can gather. Ghost Woman are top of my list.
- Mo Lawrance