Jesse Mac Cormack, Rip Pop Mutant, and No Frills
Jesse Mac Cormack
SOLO // Secret City
One of the silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic was an extended period where musicians wrote and recorded records that were more introspective and cathartic than they otherwise would have had the time and headspace to conjure up. Most of the time the resulting work isn’t about the pandemic itself, but instead about more personal issues that became more pronounced with fewer everyday distractions. One example of this is Montreal artist Jesse Mac Cormack’s latest album SOLO, a product not only of a world partially shut down but also of a terminated relationship and a subsequent decision to begin an emotional healing process.
Many of the tracks reflect on the hardships endured by dealing with people who were once part of your life and had a negative impact in some way. Seemingly, much of the healing behind writing the songs involved recognizing that someone has unapologetically wronged you and you should let them go. Among the remaining tracks is “The Hills” (not the Weeknd song), which appears to instead do the more expected thing from a cathartic release and confront Mac Cormack’s own darker thoughts head-on, drifting between blatant and metaphorical references to suicide.
Musically, SOLO accomplishes what all good art pop sets out to do: force you to listen carefully to it if you want to follow it at all. Whether it be sudden shifts in instrumentation, appearances of auxiliary percussion, or effects on the synthesizers coming in and out, there’s a lot happening to keep your attention, and the further you go down the track-list the more invested you become. There is a similar character throughout to Braids’ Flourish // Perish, while the lyrical themes bear more resemblance to the Calgary-originated band’s later work. Mac Cormack’s nasally delivery and occasional break into falsetto, reliance on electronic drums and percussion sounds, minimalist production and the fact that nearly every sound was played or created by him also bears a vague resemblance to a sadder version of Prince.
Although the album cover reminds us that SOLO was created to help Mac Cormack make peace with himself, it’s so full of surprises and breaking pop convention without giving an air of pretentiousness that it will easily satisfy any listener who wants something that begs for their full attention. It’s certainly something I’m glad I chose to cover.
- Ty Vanden Dool
Rip Pop Mutant
FLUXUS POP // Simone Records
What an absolutely killer record. I did not know Rip Pop Mutant was Alex Ortiz until the second I heard it. He has a signature style of bass driven songs and vocals that I adore. I might be the biggest We Are Wolves fan I know and it’s no exaggeration to say Alex Ortiz is one of my all time Canadian Music heroes. When I think about my tastes being represented in Canada, I don’t think of the plethora of jangly CBC friendly earnest folk pop, I think of either We are Wolves or Duchess Says. Ok fine, maybe some Arcade Fire stuff too.
The opener “Follow Birds” is a short and heavily tremolo effected mellow and vampy guitar line that builds quickly in intensity at the end to a sudden cutoff. The record then slams straight into “Parfois”, which might be the second most ‘Ortiz’ sounding song on the whole record. “Évidemment” too has that coolness-comes-easy vibe to it that is the clear intent of the record, trying to emulate the FLUXUS art movement of the 60s.
While this is great music to listen to while pretending you’re a 90s vampire, I would hesitate to call it goth. I would call it post punk and new wave, yes, but not every song. Some of it is lo-fi and dramatic. Some of it is chill and instrumental. Some of it is just nice art rock. I think if you’re familiar at all with We are Wolves you’ll know what you’re getting into. You’re getting more of the good stuff here. If you’re not familiar, please start with Non-Stop je te plie en deux.
The hooky “Et Si Jamais” is the most Ortiz track on the record, and it’s a good one to get stuck in your head. The reverb soaked horns about 2 minutes in are TO DIE FOR. We need more moments like this in music. This record is going to be spun a lot this year by me for sure and I am excited for the people who hear this and it is the moment where they lift up the rug on Canadian Music and find the cellar door underneath that leads them to a sound they feel heard by.
- Joel Klaverkamp
No Frills
Downward Dog // Big Soap
Don’t be a bummer they say. Turn that frown upside down they say. Have an attitude of gratitude. All these things are fine and all, but if you’re in a funk these sentiments sting more than anything. Let’s face it….Life is not always sunshine and rainbows. In my funk, I picked a band with simple cover art and the same name as the grocery store I shop at. No Frills. I like it. I don’t want bells and whistles. Too much sensory overload sometimes. This I can handle right now.
I want simple.
No Frills brings a peppy new album titled Downward Dog released on April 1st/2022. This five piece is based out of Toronto and is self-described as DIY lo-fi bummer pop. Don’t be fooled though…it’s really not a downer. It has many layers of feelings. As does life. This album reflects on depression, despair and death. There is a darker sense of humour too. Good to laugh even a little if your feeling low.
The album opens with “Welcome”. A cheeky introduction. They welcome the listener personally. I really loved this cute personal touch. It was a great ice-breaker as it made you feel at home. Awww!
“Save The Bees” was the fast favourite and sets a tone. The bright cheery guitar and a bouncing bass. Nice simple drum beat with extra cute fills. The vocals have the fluidity and flow. Super happy harmonies that add some blasts of whimsy. In my mind movies I see this from the Bee’s eye view. Flitting and flying about your day and the challenges that humanity bring to its mere survival. “Please stop hanging around cause I just can’t take it.” We need to love the bees and be kinder to them. Our survival kinda does depend on them. While we’re on the subject. Please don’t hurry to clean up your yards this spring!!! The bees and ladybugs are still sleeping. Don’t rake up the leaves. Give the pollinators a chance to wake up and get going. Wait till its consistently above 10 degrees Celsius please before you start your spring yard work. Let’s work with nature.
“Copy Cat” brings another upbeat dynamic with its meowing guitar. I never heard a guitar meow like that. Just delish! Then the bright vocals of Maddy Wilde bring some cheerfulness and the groovy synth? Is copying a form of flattery? Very fine line I think. What inspires you? When you make a recipe you copy someone’s work but as a home chef you craft the recipe to fit your preferences. Some bands just bring their own unique sound to the table. Whatever your take on copying… you can’t copy the radness that is “Copy Cat”.
“Common Folk” has the most kicking drum, and the coolest bass lick. The catchy guitar riff blends beautifully, and continues to diddle away. Very 80’s vibe. Spacey synthesizer sizzles you’re senses. I want to dance in my space pants but everyone will laugh at me. I love how Daniel Busheikin delivers the vocals. This song literally feels like my inner dialogue. No that’s your anxiety. Just dance away. If they laugh maybe they just wish they were dancing too. The clanging, clashing and the background ambient sounds really give you the idea of what an overload the circuits might sound like. Then an abrupt ending. Just brilliant! This music is nothing simple. It’s as complex as life gets. Make your own life fun. I think we forgot how to have fun.
Music is cheaper than therapy and there are many gems on Downward Dog. I will humbly admit I ugly cried to the track Pancake. If your feeling really low, and like life is almost unbearable you must listen to this song. This song should be a requirement in school setting to teach kids about feelings and how to navigate through them in life. We all need healthy coping skills and this song is that. I did feel much better after my ugly cry. I felt lighter. Crying is proven by psychologists to be a healthy way to release and let go. So let go.
I hope you feel better after spinning this album.
I know I sure do. One foot in front of the other other. One day at a time.
Be good to each other.
Love Always,
- Green Noreen
