BETABOYS, Whiling, UTILS, and AVI
BETABOYS - Great Pretenders
Calgary’s BETABOYS finally drop their debut full-length after a couple EPs that peaked our interest in the past five years. Great Pretenders is 80s new-wave revival paired with summery, radio-ready synth-pop. It’s the exact “pick-me-up” needed as the long winter slog in Canada draws near a close and the populace of the Great White North prepares to come out of hibernation.
Whiling - Like-Whiling
The newest buzz in Edmonton is whirling around a three-piece instrumental act called Whiling. Their debut release is a modern progressive cocktail with a jazz base, equal parts experimental and post-rock, topped off with a tiny splash downtempo hip-hop grooves. It’s a silky-smooth concoction, perfect to end the evening.
UTILS - Related States
Montreal trio UTILS return with the follow-up to their 2023 debut Rough Schema. The seven songs on the December released Related States benefit from slicker production with the crisper sound better suiting their emo/post-punk mash-up. Related States is a clear progression for the band and is sure to keep them on our radar.
AVI - The Way It's Always Been
Another Calgary artist worth keeping an eye on is AVI. On their latest effort, The Way It's Always Been, they deliver an engaging listen of ambient beats with lush guitar, experimental sound design and hard-hitting drums. There’s lush sonic depths to these songs best appreciated in a meditative, headphone listening experience.
