The Garrys, Owen Davies, Subterranean Lovers Terror Bird, and Whitney K
The Garrys - “Cakewalk”
The Garrys return with their first new song in nearly three years. “Cakewalk” is their first recorded work since Matthew Maier joined his three sisters as a full-time member of the band. The track is everything we crave from this prairie family band. Surf soaked guitars, impeccable harmonies, and retro vibes that transport you to chic parties you’ve created in your mind because they’re too cool too actually exist outside of the movies… right? The extra guitar from brother Matthew is a brilliant addition as the two guitars work off each other effortlessly. As of right now, this is just a one off single to remind us of the greatness of The Garrys.
Owen Davies - Heavy Songwriting
Owen Davies returns with a new album called Heavy Songwriting, his first new music since 2022s Gravel Dreams EP. He makes his return with the help of longtime collaborator and producer, Jeff D. Elliott. These two have worked together for so long that they now make it seem effortless. Davies once again pulls us into his quiet and quaint world with lavish arrangements (this time, courtesy of Walker Grimshaw). These arrangements drive home the emotional gravitas on tracks like “Notes From An Elevator” or “Heavy Songwriting” as Davies sings with a delivery that teeters on the edge of a chasm but never falls in… it just looks out and acknowledges its existence.
Subterranean Lovers - Deathless, Wild + Free
Subterranean Lovers is the brainchild of Vancouver’s Nikki Nevver. It’s a gorgeous project that employs the acoustic guitar as the primary instrument for beautifully crafted arrangements. After the first two singles emerged in 2022, we eagerly expected the album to arrive shortly thereafter. Instead it dropped at the end of this April with very little fanfare. We don’t know the story but this record deserves your attention. It’s a great listen from start to finish with amazing use of strings and horns over acoustic guitar and Nikki Nevver’s gorgeous voice singing songs of longing and desire.
Whitney K - “Happenstance”
When an artist tackles a cover, you always look for them to put their own spin on it. It’s a fine line, I’m not fond of a full re-imagining to the point where the original is unrecognizable, but enough of change that it makes an old track fresh again. Whitney K does just that with “Happenstance”, a song from Giant Sand’s 1994 release, Glum. Whitney K’s version excels in its production, it opens with strings that give way to gently picked guitar, bass, and piano alongside vocals that hold true to the idiosyncratic delivery of the original. Another absolute gem from Whitney K.
- Jeff MacCallum