Test Card - 73 & Good Luck
On 73 & Good Luck, the Vancouver based electro-ambient producer Lee Nicholson delivers a cinematic journey of downtempo analog electronica. Amateur radio enthusiasts will recognize that ’73’ serves as the traditional sign-off code between ham radio operators ending a broadcast. Pair that with the evocative album artwork of a figure ascending into a space ship and it’s hard to not visually pair these rich electronic tracks with communicating to the cosmos. Close your eyes and picture the vastness of space, the beauty of the images we’ve been gifted from the James Webb, and the idea of contacting an alien race. This gorgeous album will serve as your guide to the possibilities.
Mock Media - Rat Bastard
On Rat Bastard, this Vernon BC quartet continues to solidify their punk revival prowess. It’s impossible not to immediately hear Joe Strummer’s influence on these young lads but dive-in deeper and the rich interplay of the guitars screams of early post-punk. On their last album, Mock Media II, the band began the experiment of mixing the reggae-punk of The Clash with the post-punk greats like Television or Gang of Four but at times it sounded like one style or the other. With this new release, they’ve perfected this vision and have even winked at the idea of new genre mash-ups.
Kiwi Jr. - Blowin' Up
It’s been four years since we last had the pleasure of a Kiwi Jr. album and for some reason, that last record didn’t grab me in the same way their first two had. Thankfully with the release of their fourth studio album, Blowin' Up, I’m back on the Kiwi Jr. highway and my love of this band has reignited. Do yourself a favour and dive into their delicious indie-rock with ear worm melodies, jangle-pop flair, and lyrics that are worth the price of admission.
TJ Felix - P.W.L.E.
Vancouver artist TJ Felix has been churning out intense and abrasive punk music for years now. Their scrappy, DIY bedroom recordings of post hardcore prowess always grabs my attention and P.W.L.E. might be TJ Felix’ best work to date. In your face, raw, and lyrically bleak— this album is not for the feint of heart, it’s for those who’ve flirted with implosion and those who still are.
