estle, Dog Day, Respire, and Clothesline From Hell
estle - It's Always Been You
I don’t have any idea how to write about this record. The descriptors from the artist detail a slew of genres that I’m not well versed in and to be totally honest, when it comes to electronic music I’m typically uninterested. This on the other hand immediately grabbed my attention. It’s delicate and mediative but not designed to be the background music your massage therapist plays. The sounds are interesting beyond my comprehension and garner my full attention as they ebb and flow like the tide. This record definitely deserves your full attention, sit down and immerse yourself when you have no distractions to pull you away from this wild release.
Dog Day - A T-Shirt With Writing On It
Approaching two decades of incredible indie rock, Dog Day have returned with an incredible offering that reminds us why this Halifax trio has stood the test of time. A penchant for catchy pop melodies are wrapped up with 90s alt-rock and softly sung lyrics that force the listener to really pay attention to decipher themes of love and loss. Dog Day’s music is so darn approachable it should be blaring over the airwaves of every indie-rock radio station in the country… which it kind of is as last week it was sitting at the very top of the campus radio charts.
Respire - Hiraeth
Toronto’s Respire are not for everyone. But even with this in mind, they are a band that every music fan should take the time to check out. They craft a truly unique sound, one that is essentially impossible to pin down. They are loud, brutal at times but also beautiful, even delicate. Their latest offering is said to be “a manifesto of the immigrant experience” and the juxtaposition of sounds must surely align with the onslaught of emotions immigrants would feel as they leave their entire life behind to start anew.
Clothesline From Hell - Soon We’ll All Be Smoking
A smattering of genres and sounds collide on Soon We’ll All Be Smoking, the debut EP from Toronto based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adam LaFramboise. The songs have clear pop-sensibilities but this isn’t your typical “pop” music. LaFramboise cleverly blends hip-hop beats with interweaving guitars, piano and synths on the standout single “Open Up!”. The catchiness continues with the hip-hop dial turned down a tad for the rest for the EP but the ear-worm, summery vibes are undeniable. It’s an impressive four songs to showcase a new addition to the exciting side of Canada’s pop scene.
- Jeff MacCallum