Guest Edition #4
Welcome to a very special edition of the Quick Picks column.
For the past few weeks we have been bringing in some guest writers to helm this column and fill in for Matthew Belton. Fear not loyal followers, Matthew will return after taking some personal time away.
So far, we’ve had Napalmpom vocalist, PJ Lavergne, Saskatchewan singer/songwriter, Megan Nash, and Cassia Hardy of Wares come in to take over. For our final “Quick Picks Guest Edition,” we are very excited to welcome Emily Bachynski.
Emily is a gifted engineer and producer based in Edmonton. When she’s not recording other people’s works, she ripping it up as the front person for Bad Buddy whose debut record made our list of the Best Albums Of 2020.
Autogramm - No Rules
This 11 song album will take you on a wild ride through the motha-fuckin tone zone. Each song is brilliantly produced and arranged. It’s as though each song was played on a different planet and you get to travel the universe wrapped in a blanket of warm distortion. I could die for the tones in the rhythm section and be revived by the group vocals on “I Am A Situation.” Just an absolute banger start to finish that gives me Gary Numan making out with the Clash vibes.
Great for getting on your bike and riding as fast as you can.
Foods - Fax Machine
This Kraftwerk cover album is so well done it gives me the giggles. It’s a cheeky surf dream with fabulous, well balanced arrangements and fat-bottomed guitars. I am always impressed when artists are able to cover music and completely make it their own while doing the original justice. Foods has knocked it outta the park. The album is fresh yet familiar and makes me wanna seduce someone into jumping in a car and driving into the sunset.
Great for starring in the Quentin Tarantino movie of your mind.
Sir Quilt - Insults at the Elbow Room
A psychedelic-trip-fest from the bowels of hell, and I mean that in the best possible way. This EP packs a serious punch. One look at the album cover gives you a good idea of what you’re about to get into, dreamy delays and compression to the nines. Pull out the white patent leather and blue eyeliner, because the in-your-face guitar tone of “Electric Fence” will bring out your inner go-go dancer.
Great for getting sweaty and then becoming one with the couch cushions and a loud stereo.
Braids - Slayer Moon/2020
Such a beautifully depressing and overwhelmingly relatable double feature from Braids. If you’re thinking “sheesh y’all, I don’t think I could handle another pandemic song,” the extra crisp punctuations of Raphaelle Standell-Prestion will show you otherwise. Her irresistible vocal stylings combined with heavy-hitting production, and unique arrangements keep you hooked until the last of the decay has bled out. These tunes make you want to sip from their cup on repeat, drinking in the widest delay to the creak of the foot pedal. The best $2.58 you’ll ever spend.
Great for feeling like you’re not alone and maybe screaming into a pillow.
- Emily Bachynski