Smokey, Cookie Delicious, la lune, and C. Diab
Smokey - “Springtime”
The resurgence of country music as “cool” is frankly exhausting. Orville Peck is more gimmick than substance and Beyoncé… well she is an amazing vocalist but her voice is far too slick for country music. Country needs a voice that sounds beat down, ragged and rough. Edmonton’s Smokey is what I want from my country music. Incredible lyrics, some slightly psychedelic vibes worked into the twang, and a warbly voice that takes me into my childhood, into my grandparents kitchen where the AM country station played non-stop. Keep an eye out for more singles dropping periodically from Smokey throughout the year.
Cookie Delicious - Collaborations
Joel Klaverkamp has been an active member of Winnipeg’s music scene for a very long time so it stands a good chance an album called Collaborations will have some familiar names tied to it. Boy howdee does it ever but the true strength of this release is Klaverkamp’s ability to pair his unique electronic beats to guest appearances. Greg MacPherson’s track is especially apt, a true standout that could easily be from the next Figure Walking album. The song featuring A La Mode is another big highlight. Don’t sleep on Collaborations from Cookie Delicious.
la lune - disparity
Vancouver upstarts, la lune deliver us a fantastic debut EP that pulls inspiration from shoegaze, emo, and grunge. Incredible melodies permeate through the fuzzy guitars and downtempo rhythms. They’re punctuated by vocals reminiscent of some of the better emo acts which are not buried under a wall of noise like you hear in most shoegaze albums. It’s not groundbreaking in terms of the sounds being utterly unique but it’s certainly a fresh take on the genre.
C. Diab - Imerro
When you listen to Vancouver experimental artist, C Diab’s new album, you will get lost. It will wrap you up in a cozy blanket and take you into a warm, quiet, contemplative state. This is kind of how the songs came together as well, Diab would meander from instrument to instrument until the right notes found him, and after a few listens of Imerro, it is evident that Diab has a knack for knowing when the notes are right. This is ambient music at its finest.
- Jeff MacCallum