Glass Dolls, Kue Varo & The Only Hopes, Blush., and Strawberry Punch
Glass Dolls - Old Friend
Grief hangs over every track on Old Friend, the latest from Montreal’s Glass Dolls. Wrapped in a post-punk edge and shimmering synth pop textures, themes of love and grief are heard throughout, carried by melancholic vocals that never feel heavy-handed. It’s an easy listen despite its emotional weight - atmospheric, unhurried, and consistent from start to finish, never straying from its dejected, thoughtful mood.
Kue Varo And The Only Hopes - How Everything Feels & Other Lies
How Everything Feels & Other Lies finds Calgary’s Kue Varo and the Only Hopes at their grandest yet. Following two previous releases - The solo debut Daffodil 11 and 2023’s breakout Cowboy Witchcraft - this sophomore (with a full band) effort leans further into genre-hopping territory. Blending psych folk components with indie rock grit, their lyrical heavy songwriting and confident melodies make this their richest, most emotionally layered work to date.
Strawberry Punch - Self Titled
The debut album from Winnipeg’s Strawberry Punch blends fuzzy riffs, catchy melodies, and hypnotic bass lines into one of the most entertaining records I’ve listened to this year. It’s raw, moody, heartfelt, and romantic. “Pocket” ranks as my favourite from the album with its constant switches between the slower-paced main verse, and the lively chorus. It’s fun, energetic, and to my best description, deeply yearnful.
Blush. - In The Grey
The alt rock, indie, shoegaze equation is nothing new, but it’s not always easy to get right. Blush. however did manage to get it spot on with In The Grey. full of melodies expertly leading the vocals along, lots of distortion adding a gritty, and blurred edge. It’s a very lively listen, one moment it's loud and chaotic, and the next it's hushed and easy-going.
