Spencer Krug, Sook-Yin Lee, Skip Jr. Campbell, and Cassia Hardy

Written By Matt Carr

Spencer Krug - Same Fangs

Spencer Krug’s Same Fangs is a timelessly cohesive standout of pure, glowing heart! Born from the ashes of a tough Sunset Rubdown reunion tour, Krug turned those tricky band dynamics into pure creative magic. Recorded alongside Jordan Koop at The Noise Floor, lead track "Timebomb" shines bright with cavernous piano, altered vocals, and breathtaking vocal accompaniment from Elbow Kiss. Krug’s sharp self-reflection turns silent tension into a beautifully uplifting sonic triumph. I’m clear-headed and beaming; this gorgeous record is an absolute gift to us all!

Sook-Yin Lee - 72RHR

Sook-Yin Lee’s 72RHR is a work of gorgeous, pure joy! These songs are intimate and cinematic in scope, which comes at no surprise considering they’re written, performed, and produced entirely by Lee herself. This record locks into a steady, blissful 72 BPM, matching your resting heart rate to soothe your soul in a wild world. The unchanging tempo becomes something of a meditation, to great effect! Lead single "Locked Boy" pairs triumphant vocals with a tense, pulsating arrangement of abrasively distorted synths and burst-of-sunshine guitar explosions. Mixed by Steve Chahley and mastered by Kevin McPhee, it balances chaos with total harmony.

Skip Jr. Campbell - Nuvenusians 2

The neon sign outside is flickering, the bar stool is steady, and Skip Jr. Campbell’s five-track EP Nuvenusians 2 lands with an easy, unpretentious charm. Running roughly seventeen minutes, it offers a stripped-down alternative acid-folk journey that feels warm and delightfully eccentric. Tracks like "Influenced Influencers" and the swaying "Short and Sweet (Buh Dum Duh Dum)" bypass glitzy mainstream sheen to deliver pure, atmospheric character, expertly achieved by Ethan Bender (courtesy of Lonesome View Records) behind the mixing board. It’s subtle, direct, and delightfully odd in all the right places. Drop by Bandcamp or stream it wherever you listen, put on your headphones, and let these friendly, singular sounds brighten your afternoon.

Cassia Hardy - Deviant

One of the year’s highlights so far is Cassia Hardy’s new single “Deviant” b/w “Heat Wave”, dropping like a brick through a clean glass window. Side A, "Deviant," hits with a wall of pedals and tight loops that sound like three guitars wailing at once. It’s a bright, defiant love letter to the underground, slapping away corporate sponsors with beaming directness and genuine warmth. Flip it over for "Heat Wave," where she turns a classic soul track into a buzzing, vibrant indie-rock surge. Skip the major streaming giants and go buy it on Bandcamp, press play, and let the noise light up the room.

Matt Carr

Matt Carr is an artist and educator in Regina. He grew up with a dog, but currently keeps pets of the feline variety. From the hammer to the pallet jack to the chef knife, Matt has settled on teaching, and as in the professional realm, Matt continues to expand through genre and media, from the written word to visual art and sound. Current music acts include These Estates, Pop Pop Vernac, Failed States, Phlegm Gadget, and Psst Shh, ranging from sound art, folk, indie rock, and pop to garage rock, art punk, hardcore, and harsh noise. Maybe someday Matt will once again have a dog.

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