Ken Yates, Wolf Willow, Summer Bruises, and JJ’s Gang
Ken Yates - Cerulean
A smoke filled winter cabin is the cover of this new album from Toronto’s Ken Yates. These eleven songs are a beautiful blend of traditional folk with the hard beats of modern indie. It gives the album a timeless yet innovative sound with tight embellishments and some truly heartfelt lyrics.
Wolf Willow - Holloway
A nine piece group hailing from Regina, Wolf Willow takes a western sound and blends it with strings, keys, and what sounds to be a marimba. Their newest single Holloway is a pair of (mostly) instrumental tracks that take two very different approaches to the country sound. The second song’s brief vocal accompaniment took me out of my seat.
Summer Bruises - Light to Waste
Calgary-based band Summer Bruises comes out strong with their first release, Light to Waste. This eight track debut displays a powerful silk-pop sound, with a nice blend of swooning vocals with some slight distortion. It’s catchy, enticing, and a joy listening to - a must listen for fans of everything indie.
JJ’s Gang - Miles to Go
Newfoundland band JJ’s Gang are a musical duo who enlisted a talented group of friends to form their debut LP, Miles to Go. It’s a unique sort of indie rock that features the subtlety of country music and classic rock. This album epitomizes the feeling of good times with friends.
- Brandon Kruze