Most Anticipated of 2024
Most Anticipated of 2024
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Every January, we tackle a list of our “Most Anticipated” releases from the upcoming year. This isn’t a new idea, most music publications do something similar but we’d like to think we put a little extra effort into it. While other publications simply put together a list of releases they’ve obtained press info for, the Cups N Cakes Network goes further. We sleuth out albums that haven’t been announced, talk to the artists and labels and deliver some true “Breaking News.”
Sometimes we swing for the fences and strike out hard but for the most part we nail down facts on a handful of albums that no other publications are reporting. For this reason, this article has become (pardon me for this), our most anticipated article of the year.
Enjoy checking out our Most Anticipated of 2024!
Aladean Kheroufi
Aladean Kheroufi is an irreplaceable part of the music scene in Alberta, whether it’s in his role in the Velveteins, as an in demand session player (he is an unbelievably tasteful bass player), or as a talented recording engineer and producer. The past few years have seen Kheroufi performing more and more as a songwriter, with an absolutely electric live show with his full band backing him up. His music is soulful, with a timeless quality imparted by a sort of wistful melancholy present in every syllable and every sigh. It’s been nearly two years since his last release, the excellent “LOVE!… (is the answer)”, and if the next release lives up to the run of singles he’s had the last few years, we’re in for a pretty special album.
What We Know:
Keep it under your hat, but between you and me, Cups N Cakes has it on fairly good authority that Kheroufi does indeed have a completed full length album, rumored for a Spring 2024 release.
In the mean time, check out Kheroufi’s last single “LOVE! … (is the answer) b/w Every Girl”.
Non La
Near the end of 2023 it was announced that Vancouver power-pop act Non La had signed to Mint Records. As an older human, I cheered this addition to Mint Records as Non La’s sound reminds me of the fabled Vancouver label’s power-pop heyday. The announcement also came with a fantastic new single but we were told it was not from an upcoming album. Now, just a couple months later the details have emerged regarding a new album and Non La’s first since 2020s Not In Love.
What We Know:
The album is called Like Before and it’s described as 12-tracks of alt-pop meditation on long term relationships. The record will arrive on March 29th via Mint Records but you can hear the first single now in the player below, then follow the link in the player to pre-order Like Before on vinyl or cassette.
Daniel Romano
Daniel Romano, in some ways, needs no introduction; it’s not unlikely that his name has shown up on one of our best of lists every year since Cups N Cakes’ inception. He is prolific, and capable of working in a lot of different styles, from the throwback almost Dylan'-y vibe on 2017’s Modern Pressure to 2022’s prog concept album La Luna.
What We Know:
Romano’s upcoming record Too Hot to Sleep has been announced, and the first song is available to stream now. The 10 song LP is coming out March 1st, and if the first single “Field of ruins” is anything to go by, it’s going to be one hell of a record. The song spends over half of it’s runtime as a barnburner 70s punk tune, before a smooth transition into a coda of sorts, slipping back a decade into full 60s conceptual ending (with a groove that’s a nice throwback to some Ringo Starr polyrhythmic goofiness, a la “She Said She Said” or “Happiness is a Warm Gun”). It’s an utter delight, and, like we say every year: the Cups N Cakes Network is pretty excited for the new Daniel Romano record.
Sunglaciers
Having been covering Canadian independent music for some time, one of my favourite things is seeing a young band get better… then better… then reaching a pinnacle where they get noticed and signed. Then they get EVEN better! That’s the story with Calgary’s Sunglaciers who are the only Western Canadian act signed to the incredible Mothland label based in Montreal. Mixing post-punk, art-rock, and psych-pop; Sunglaciers have moved away from being one of the more exciting bands in Calgary to one of the more exciting bands in the country!
What We Know:
We know that an album titled Regular Nature is ready to go. We know that when it arrives it will be through Mothland. We believe it will arrive before the summer and that the formal announcement and first single should arrive sometime soon. Until then, get yourself prepared by revisiting Sunglaciers fantastic 2022 album, Subterranea, in the player below (also note, the limited pressing of this LP is almost sold-out… just saying…)
The Bobby Tenderloin Universe
The Bobby Tenderloin Universe’s 2019 self-titled debut has grown steadily in regard over the past few years, especially as the band resumed a busy gigging and touring schedule post-pandemic. The debut was a bright spot in 2019, with then Cups N Cakes writer Ella Coyes (Sister Ray) comparing the record to “if Tom T. Hall and Ernest Tubb had gone cosmic”. It has held up in the 5 long years since it’s release; “I Need A Lickin’” has become a song that I’ve played for most of my friends at some point in those years.
What We Know:
There have been rumblings of a new Bobby Tenderloin Universe record floating around the Edmonton music scene for a couple years now, and while their sophomore hasn’t yet been announced, we’re told the band has the record completed and are prepping for a Fall 2024 release. It’ll be a 10 song LP, with singles coming earlier in the year.
In the meantime, check out the band’s excellent 2019 release, and one of my favourite songs to come out of Edmonton in the last 10 years:
Holy Void
Winnipeg’s Holy Void have been captivating audiences across Canada since their first EP dropped way back in 2015. Their debut album, Naught, didn’t arrive until 2019 but it was worth the wait as we loved it here at Cups N Cakes, putting the title track on our list of the Best Songs from that year. Holy Void have carved out their intrigue on the prairies by playing gothy psychedelic-rock with shoegaze nods and a top-end live show to reinforce that this band is one worth your attention.
What We Know:
Back in November of 2023, Cups N Cakes premiered Holy Void’s first new music since 2019s Naught. The track was called “Fear In Your Mind” and the band described it as; “an acid trip gone wrong”. In that same article it was revealed that Holy Void will continue to release singles throughout 2024 culminating with an album in the back half of the year. Check out that brand new track below.
Jon Mckiel
We last heard from Jon McKiel with his 2020 record Bobby Joe Hope. It was a unique masterpiece, crafted from samples he received on tapes included with a Teac 2340 tape machine. It lends the album a quality unlike any other, and we picked it as our #3 album of 2020.
What We Know:
…Not much! In our most anticipated list last year, we were excited to confirm a 2023 release, but alas, here we are in 2024 without an announcement. We know that Mckiel has a completed record and that You’ve Changed is releasing it, but we’re not certain when to expect it. In the meantime, why not take the opportunity to get back into his 2020 classic, the great Bobby Joe Hope:
Stucco
Stucco is a Calgary quartet coming off of an incredible debut EP in 2022. They’ve only been getting more popular as they’ve become one of the hottest local acts in their hometown. They craft post-punk perfection… everything that you think of when you think about the genre, Stucco are doing at highly proficient levels.
What We Know:
The album is scheduled to arrive in the summer and it was recorded with Chris Dadge at Child Stone Studios. Thematically, it’s said to build off of the ideas laid out in their debut EP. Nothing from this release is available to hear as of yet but you can whet your appetite by revisiting Stucco’s fantastic debit, EP1.
Boy Golden
Boy Golden first came to prominence with his fantastic 2021 debut album Church of Better Daze. He released a six song EP titled For Jimmy this year as well, which named one of our Best EPs of 2023, with writer Ava Glendinning saying the record was “awash with fast-picked guitars and warmly witty lyricism.”
What We Know:
Boy Golden released four singles through late 2023, all with the same album cover. His presence on this list amounts to that; four singles designed to fit together are usually indicative of an album coming sometime soon, but we admit: we’re taking a wild swing on this one. Fingers crossed for more Boy Golden in 2024 either way.
Ducks Ltd.
The Toronto duo Ducks Ltd. have become a massive success story. Their blend of jangle-pop, power-pop, and Brit-pop has enamoured listeners across the globe in their short tenure as a band. They may be a band that has become a little bigger than what Cups N Cakes would normally champion but it’s too hard not to love their sound and the success that sound has given them.
What We Know:
The new album is called Harm’s Way and it will arrive on February 9th via Royal Mountain Records. It’s the first time the duo of Tom McGreevy and Evan Lewis have employed outside help to produce their music. For Harm’s Way they flew down to Chicago to record with Dave Vettraino (Dehd, Deeper, Lala Lala), and called in help from and array of Chicago musicians including: Macie Stewart (Finom), Marcus Nuccio (Ratboys), Jason Balla (Dehd), and many more. Two singles have been released so far, check them out in the player below and follow the link to find the vinyl and CD pre-order.
Bad Buddy
I love Bad Buddy. I first saw them play when I shared a bill with the band for Halloween 2019; notably, they all were dressed as birds. It was one of the best local shows I’ve been to in Edmonton, and their 2020 record absolutely delivered on the expectations of their live show, from the motown influenced opener “Simultaneously” to the hyperactive lyricism and musicality of “Don’t Fuck Around”. They also happen to be the guests on maybe the best ever episode of Inside the Artist’s Studio; that episode is well worth a listen.
What We Know:
The band has given us permission to exclusively share some details about the upcoming album; it’s called II and it’s coming in June 2024. Co-produced by the band and Thierry Diab, it was recorded in the winter of 2023 with Riverdale Recorders’ Scott Franchuk. We’ve also been given permission to share the album art; check that out below. In the meantime, check out the debut record that then Cups N Cakes writer and now Cups N Cakes editor and publisher described as “a ‘holy shit’ level of pure, unadulterated fun.”.
BIG|BRAVE
Montreal’s BIG|BRAVE are surprising us with another album this year that follows 2023’s excellent effort, nature morte. The trio have become one of Canada’s most enthralling bands as their blend of doom, slocore, folk, and noise have captivated audiences everywhere they’ve gone.
What We Know:
The album is called A Chaos Of Flowers and it’s set to arrive on April 19th. It is arriving via Thrill Jockey and has vinyl and CD versions available for pre-order. The lead off track was released as the album's first single and it falls more on the droney-folk side of BIG|BRAVE’s aesthetic. Enjoy “i felt a funeral” below and follow the embed link to pre-order the limited edition “Sun Flare” LP (Note - The limited edition “Blood Moon” LP is already sold out).
Michael Feuerstack
Michael Feuerstack had been releasing music for nearly two decades under the Snailhouse moniker before beginning to release music under his own name. We reviewed his last album of original music Harmonize the Moon back in 2021, with writer JD Ormond saying that the songs “resonate with size, shape and gravity, in such a sweet and tender way”.
What We Know:
Feuerstack’s latest album has been announced! It’s called Eternity Mongers and it’s due out on April 19th, 2024. It’s a 12 song LP, and the first single “Your Mind’s Made Up” is available to stream on Bandcamp. You can preorder the album, also on Bandcamp, now.
Corridor
In 2019, Montreal art-rock/post-punk collective, Corridor, announced an album would be arriving via Sub Pop. The iconic label doesn’t keep a ton of Canadian acts on their roster so it was big news. That album was called Junior and it showcased Corridor’s take on post-punk. Jangly guitars, driving percussion, pop-sensibilities, and psychedelic flourishes made Junior an album that propelled Corridor to international success.
What We Know:
The album was formally announced earlier this week. It’s called Mimi and it’s set to arrive on April 26th via Sup Pop. The album’s first single is called “Mourir Demain” and it’s a banger, stream it below. To pre-order the “loser” edition on pink vinyl, head over here.
Little Kid
Little Kid is prepping to release their first collection of new songs since 2020’s Transfiguration Highway. It’ll mark their seventh release since 2009, with the group slowly growing from intially being a solo project by songwriter Kenny Boothby, to a more full fledged band in 2024.
What We Know:
A Million Easy Payments, the new record Little Kid, is due out on February 23rd. The first two singles from the album have been released, with the pulsing and ethereal “Bad Energy”, and album opener “Something to Say”, a banjo driven waltz driven by Boothby’s reedy tenor voice warbling over the proceedings. You can preorder the album on Bandcamp now:
Fold Paper
One of the unknown acts on our list this year… at least unknown outside of Winnipeg but we are very excited to hear more from this brand new band. Fold Paper is the project of Chell Osuntade, a Nigerian born musician who has been busy playing in some of our favourite Winnipeg acts. In between his time with JayWood and Super Duty Tough Work, Osuntade has been crafting some glorious post-punk, working hard to break down racial barriers within the genre.
What We Know:
Fold Paper’s debut single arrived early in 2023 and we’ve told from the band themselves that an EP is coming in 2024 as well as “other massive things”. Check out their debut single “Medical Jargon” below and get excited for more to come.
Blue Youth
Regina noise-punks, Blue Youth have been… too quiet. Those outside of Saskatchewan might have assumed the band was over. It’s been nearly five years since their last release (a short two-songer), and six years since they dropped their impressive debut album, Dead Forever. That album found its way on to our list of the “Best Albums of 2018”… it was so long ago now that the website didn’t exist and the list was revealed on our original podcast.
What We Know:
The album is called Defeatist and it’s set to be released this summer. Frontman Gage McGuire states: “It picks up where Dead Forever left off, but has more elements of doom and grease. The grease factor has been turned to eleven.” The record was recorded and mixed by Chris Dimas and will arrive on vinyl through Zegema Beach and Grind Central Records. Get excited by revisiting Dead Forever below.
Tea Fannie
Calgary continues to be a breeding ground for extremely good hip-hop. Year after year we start to see new names coming up and we watch them grow out of the city’s small, but impressive rap scene. Next up to blow minds is TeaFannie who started to emerge during the pandemic and has continued her upward trajectory landing opening slots for massive names like Begonia and winding up on the Cups N Cakes list for the Best EPs of 2022.
What We Know:
Tea Fannie dropped a bunch of incredible news in our lap for this article. Her debut album will arrive this year. It’s called Wizard Timing and will feature tracks produced by Mark James, Junia-T, Lord Quest and Alberta’s own Catfish The Wizard. The record will boast appearances from Ice That One, Della Kit, and Lowkita. If you’re unfamiliar with TeaFannie, have a listen to the single “Okay” which was released early last year.
Night Commitee
It has been ten years since Calgary’s Night Committee released their incredible sophomore album, Heaven. If you live outside of cow-town we’ll forgive you if you’ve never heard the name. (Cups N Cakes was only a podcast way back then). Heaven was a fast paced, hard-rocking album that stood out because of Andrew Wedderburn’s gritty vocals and (the famed) Lorrie Matheson’s work on the keys.
What We Know:
Well Lorrie Matheson is no longer in the band but he’s still a spiritual member and was (of course) the person called-in to produce the new album. Speaking of the album, it consists of ten songs and is expected to arrive in early summer. Until then, revisit Heaven and remember how darn good that album was/is.
Sean Davis Newton
A few things we need to go over here. First, this is Jeff MacCallum currently writing this piece. Sean Newton is currently running everything at the Cups N Cakes Network and having him on this list could be seen as a “conflict of interest”, this is true. I badgered Sean to allow himself to be on this list, and he agreed so long as it was the very last write-up in the article. I’m so excited for his new album to drop and for all of you to hear it. Ever since I started bringing in volunteers to CnC, I always encouraged them to bring their personal projects to me for review. The volunteers at CnC are exactly that…. volunteers! My philosophy has always been that there needs to be some perks for putting in all that time and effort so I always tried to highlight our volunteers musical projects. That includes CnCs longest serving volunteer who has now taken over the entire media outlet… Sean Newton.
Newton has been floating around the Edmonton music scene in some capacity for the past 10 or so years, sometimes as a songwriter, sometimes as a recording engineer, and sometimes as an interviewer and writer for this very outlet. He started releasing music under his own name in 2020, and has dropped a couple EPs and singles in the years since then.
What We Know:
Newton’s debut album is finished, and will be coming out in 2024! It’s fantastic. I’ve had the pleasure of listening to it a bunch and it’s a real treasure. It’s called Bird Brain and it’s set to arrive in the back half of the year. Sean’s been playing a bunch of the tracks around his hometown of Edmonton so if you can catch him live, you’ll get a taste of what the album will offer. Unfortunately, no formal release dates are known as of yet but I’m very excited for this album to see the light of day. But hey: you can super secretly listen to the first track on the album below.