Clairmont The Second - Innermission: MAGMA or A Propagandous Film by Wes Side Anderson
Every time Clairmont The Second drops a new release my ears perk up. This Toronto hip-hop enigma has a singular style and has pushed the boundaries of Canadian hip-hop to the point where others have noticed and been inspired to break through the genre walls that define hip-hop. There’s an energy of true creative spirit in his recent releases and this EP that clocks in at just under seventeen minutes is no different. Its downtempo, jazzy, trap with experimental flourishes pair perfectly with Clairmont’s chilled-out cadence. Can’t miss hip-hop.
Jonathan Personne - Répertoire
Jonathan Robert may be best known as the guitarist and vocalist of Corridor but my favourite work he’s done the past few years is under his solo moniker Jonathan Personne. His latest effort, Répertoire, gets to me in all the ways I love. Robert pursues a blend of soft-rock, psychedelic-folk, and dream-pop to craft a sound that’s gentle and breezy, even ethereal at times. The compositions have a mysterious quality. They’re recognizable but in a way that’s foggy, like as if you dreamt them. For us English speakers, the move to sing entirely in French only adds to this album’s mystique.
Mama's Broke - Reunion
The Nova Scotian duo of Amy Lou Keeler and Lisa Maria have been crafting traditional-folk perfection for over a decade. Their latest album, Reunion, is exactly what I want to hear when I reach for a folk album. Gorgeous compositions with traditional instruments like guitar, banjo, and mandolin set a classic undertone for extremely thoughtful lyrics of day to day living. It’s old sounds that describe current affairs like on “Heaven” where they sing: “every nickel costs a dime and the sun gets hotter every summertime”. Traditional folk is for the people by the people and Reunion by Mama’s Broke expertly exemplifies these ethos.
Pigeon Breeders - Springtime as Violence
Man. This is a wild ride. I have no idea how this Edmonton duo makes these sounds, that's on me. I haven’t seen them play in years and definitely take it for granted that I have experimental talent like this in my hometown. Pigeon Breeders have been exploring improvisation and the boundaries of sound for a very very long time and Springtime as Violence might be my favourite record they’ve ever released. They know how to use odd sounds to evoke emotions like few can, it blows my mind that these artists aren't scoring Hollywood films. Please, do yourself a favour on a quiet night at home, immerse yourself into the violence that is springtime.
