The Besnard Lakes, Khotin, Casper Skulls, and Sundowner
The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes Are A Live
I was very excited to see the announcement last week that The Besnard Lakes will be releasing a new album in October. I’m a big fan of their euphoric brand of psychedelic rock. But before that announcement was made, back at the end of April, they quietly released their first live album. Recorded at the Rialto Theatre in 2015 with a 17-piece band consisting of two drummers, two keyboard players, three guitar players, one Oggy bass, three horns, three strings, and three backup singers. The group sounds massive and delivers a track listing evenly spread out through Dark Horse, Roaring Night, UFO, and Coliseum Complex. A must for any fan of The Besnard Lakes.
Khotin - Peace Portal
Dylan Khotin-Foote returns with another collection of incredible downtempo electronic tunes that demand headphones, a hot sunny day in a lounger, and a cold beverage. These six tracks are relaxing and inviting, conjuring up images of nature with sounds and tones that are anything but natural. “HP 1” meanders along at its own pace with underwater ecosystems instantly coming to mind. “Druid Dance (ft. Nik 7)” features sounds that make me think of waking up. Electronic chirps that sound like birds and a slow, whoozy start gives way to an energy that is akin to getting the day started, still moving slowly but moving. I’ve never had such strong images put into my mind from an electronic/ambient album, Peace Portal makes me understand this genre a little bit more. It’s gorgeous.
Casper Skulls - Kit-Cat
The new album from Husband-and-wife duo Melanie St. Pierre-Bednis and Neil Bednis is their most collaborative effort to date with drummer Fraser McClean playing a multi-instrumental role, also adding bass, guitar, keyboards, synths, and violin across the record. Pals Augusta Veno and engineer Matt Weiwel also helped shape the sonic palate permeating these eleven tracks. It’s a great indie-rock release with tunes that veer more toward pop and others that swerve into folk territory. There’s lots of great stuff here but none better than “Master’s Singer” which has become one of my favourite songs of 2025. The collaborative effort of Kit-Cat has given Casper Skulls new depth to their song craft and a true gem that I’ll be spinning throughout the summer.
Sundowner - Work Dream
Toronto noise-punk/post-hardcore trio Sundowner give us eight tracks of gritty and guttural loud music. "It's Our Policy" is a noise-rock-ripper of angry jabs at bureaucratic bullshit that only harms the people who need help the most. “No Hot Ashes” is more experimental in its use of feedback and squealing guitar until a power-metal riff rampage comes in to give a break from the dissonance. After some of the noise frenzy, the post-hardcore track “Sofina” gives the closest thing to a break you’ll find before the trio launch back into smashing your face with sound waves. Punk music fans who live on the loudest side of the spectrum need to check out Sundowner.
