Montreal – New Music Jason’s Picks

The New Music I’m Listening To Contemporaneously This Week, April 27 – May 3, 2024:

May the Third be with you! It has been another gangbuster week in New Music, with lots of stuff to dig through to find the real quality material. I ended up with ten titles to recommend to you and yours. Shall we?

A release that evaded my sight last week finally made its way home to Papa on Monday. I recommended Brooklyn‘s Nick Dunston back in 2022, and after listening to his latest album, COLLA VOCE, I cannot wait to let the world know. This is Post-Jazz; beyond improvisation, droning dissonance and unsettling vocalizations. Surrealism at its finest.

I discovered a US bicoastal collaboration this week. LA’s Rhys Langston is an MC, and Brooklyn’s steel tipped dove is a DJ and producer. Together they’ve released the new seven-track EP, Polyglot on Chloroform. Downtempo beats with crate-diving Jazz samples and agile bars.

*Rhys Langston & steel tipped dove – Polyglot on Chloroform*

Another Artist that I have recommended in the past is back with New Music. I first came across the New Zealand Avant-Garde Musician known as Frog Power back in September, and he has since released three albums since. The latest is snuff film blooper reel, and throughout the ten tracks, many Pop influences have been put through the blender, set on fire, and played back at the wrong speed. To me, that equals a hit!

A duo from Germany has just released their second album, and it is bigger than the sums of its parts. Rouge is based in Berlin, and their self-titled album opens with a barrage of drums and bass before introducing us to the snarl of lead vocalist Laura Großer. Recommended for fans of Amyl & The Sniffers.

Also coming from Germany is some lo-fi Bedroom Punk. Egg Idiot is clearly aligned with other oddball Devo-inspired SynthPunk like Billiam. On their debut album, the 16-track Best Of LOL, wobbly guitars and bass collide with angular digital beats and distorted vocals.

Mdou Moctar is a Nigerien quartet that has made a name for themselves as one of the premier Tuareg groups in the world. Their latest album, Funeral for Justice, is ferocious and feedback-drenched Desert Rock. Unique melodies will keep your ears on the edge of their lobes.

NYC DJ and Producer Tony Simon is better known as Blockhead, and he is a heavily in-demand architect of sound for the Underground Hip-Hop scene. His latest release, Luminous Rubble, is ten solo instrumental tracks on the Jazz-fi spectrum. Introspective in mood, with choppy samples, it’ll get your head nodding.

Kamasi Washington is one of the brightest lights existing in the Jazz universe today. The Grammy-nominated saxophonist from Los Angeles is back with a new album after a six-year gap. Fearless Movement has a lot to say, nearing ninety minutes in length, and is chock full of guest appearances. Thundercat, George Clinton, Andre 3000, and other greats join Washington on this euphoric record.

Montreal’s Kee Avil released her debut album in 2022, and not only was it one of my Feature Picks, it was also nominated for a Juno Award (Canada’s Grammys). The guitarist, vocalist and Producer is back with her sophomore album. Spine is delicate and minimal, with ASMR-style vocals and guitar textures providing the canvas. Ponderous and lovely.

An album that has me transfixed this week comes from a UK duo. Arianne Churchman & Benedict Drew dwell in analog synthesizers, tape loops and field recordings, with Churchman providing vocals. MAY opens with the nearly fifteen-minute The Cuckoo, which is one of many traditional English folk songs that are featured. It is a glorious musical journey, and it is my Feature Pick this week.

*Arianne Churchman & Benedict Drew – MAY*

I hope you have some time to relax this weekend. I’ll talk to you again soon. Be good to yourself!

The New Music I’m Listening To Expeditiously This Week, February 10 – 16, 2024:

Good day to you and yours. I hope your sky is bright and sunny, and the winds are quiet enough to enjoy some New Music with me. It truly is a big week in releases, and I have twelve titles to recommend. Hopefully you can find something that clicks with you!

If you had “Beyoncé releases a Country Album” on your 2024 Bingo Card, congratulations. It comes out at the end of March. She released two teaser singles this week, and I’d like to draw your attention to 16 CARRIAGES. It’s a track that begins tenderly, giving Bey a chance to demonstrate her perfect vocal control, as it grows in intensity. It piques my interest for an Artist who is still showing all her tricks.

Beyoncé – 16 CARRIAGES

If you’re a regular reader of my words, you may know that I’m a big fan of Brooklyn MC Homeboy Sandman. His flow tickles my neuroreceptors, and I’m down for anything he releases. On the weekend he put out a new single. How is it? Real Good.

This next single blew my tiny little mind. Fatboi Sharif is an MC from New Jersey, and there are bars on Something About Shirley. Solid bars. But it is the production work of Roper Williams on this ten-minute track that verges on Avant Garde audio collage. At time’s unsettling, others exhilarating. Smoke a bowl and immerse yourself.

*Fatboi Sharif & Roper Williams – Something About Shirley*

Portland, Oregon has long been a Sanctuary City for artistic misfits. It is, not coincidentally, the home of Electronic Producer and Vocalist abbymachines. Her latest EP, AB, is SynthPop and Dance, with Spanish and English vocals. Do you wanna ride with me is filling the dancefloor in My Imaginary Nightclub.

The dancefloor is full and it is getting sweaty for a DJ and Producer from Buenos Aires, Colombia. Carlos Quebrada performs as Genosidra. His latest album, Haxan Tek, is seven instrumental tracks of unique beats and turnarounds, keeping your ears flexing and your body moving.

Mohammad Syfkhan is a Kurdish/Syrian Singer and Bouzouki player who lives in Ireland. His new album, I Am Kurdish is uptempo and joyful, and designed for dancing and celebration. Masterful musicianship.

Nathalie Joachim is a Brooklyn-born Haitian-American and is also a flutist, composer and vocalist. On Ki moun ou ye her vibrant voice is joined by drums and electronics, along with strings to create a rich tapestry.

Irish Producer Jacknife Lee has a knack for choosing interesting Artists to work with. This week finds him at the helm of a new record from a female quartet from Mali called Les Amazones d’Afrique. The two entities combine the traditional vocals with Electronic beats on Musow Dance. Exhilarating.

A bizarro Country singer from Montreal got my attention back in November, and he’s already returned with a new collaboration. On Tandoori Knights, Bloodshot Bill is joined by fellow Underground legend King Khan. Classic Rock & Roll and Rockabilly with universal themes such as the love of bacon and soiling one’s pants. Does humor belong in Music? Only if it’s funny.

*Bloodshot Bill & King Khan – Tandoori Knights*

Detroit, Michigan is thriving, with multiple Music Scenes creating a vibrant Arts community. One band that is bubbling up and due their flowers is the three-piece Shadow Show. Their second album, Fantasy Now!, is a shiny self-produced collection of Garage Pop, bright harmonies and bubblegum hooks.

I’ve mentioned before that there is a genre of Music out of the UK that’s like to call “Lad Rock.” It features a frontman that talk-sings the woes of living in Post-Brexit England. It’s quite catchy if done well, but it’s a little One Note. One such band is Bristol’s IDLES, and on their new album TANGK, there is notable growth from the tired old tropes. Perhaps co-production from Nigel Godrich helped broaden the aural tapestry. Vocalist Joe Talbot has definitely grown nuance and depth to his delivery; less geezer, more singer. Solid.

Deep Search Collective is an assemblage of Artists in San Francisco, California. Among them is Poet and MC Jun Dax aka Quiet. She’s released her debut album, The Ten Doors Of February, and it is a gem of a release. Throughout the ten tracks Dax drops confident and thoughtful rhymes, with brilliant downtempo production from JusOneOh. Recommended if you like A Tribe Called Quest or Digable Planets. It hits the heart hard, and is my Feature Pick this week.

I should mention that I have been posting New Music as I find it throughout the week on BlueSky, and now that it’s open to all, you can find me at New Music Jason. Maybe I’ll see you there. Say hi!

The New Music I’m Listening To Transcendentally This Week, January 20 – 26, 2024:

Apologies for the delay in today’s post, I spent the morning on a field trip with my sixth grade daughter, feeding birds from our hands.

What a tremendous week it is for New Music. The heavy hitters are back, and there’s a panoply of great Music of all stripes. Eleven New Releases in total to duly dig.

Australian Jazz-Funk Ensemble Hiatus Kaiyote has released their first new music in over two years. Everything’s Beautiful is the name, and also an apt description for the new single. Lead singer Nai Palm is a warm and bold presence throughout the track, which is sadly only just shy of three minutes, and comes to an abrupt conclusion. Fellow nerds will be pleased to see Mario Caldato, Jr. (Mario C!) on the mix.

*Hiatus Kaiyote – Everything’s Beautiful*

A single from a new collaboration between Open Mike Eagle, Video Dave, and STILL RIFT came out this week. Previous Industries brings these MC heavyweights together on Showbiz b/w Braids. Production from Child Actor and Quelle Chris make this a hotly anticipated project for a full-length around these parts.

*Showbiz Industries – Showbiz b/w Braids*

A solo bedroom project from Kalamazoo, Michigan has grown a band around itself for its new 5-track 7”. Silicon Heartbeat is the SynthPunk Sci-Fi creation of a person known only as Brian, and with Matt, Lisa, and Greg (he’s on bass and “counting”) they’ve turned the energy up to eleven on 2889. End Of The World scenarios, hating on creeps, modern anxiety, and a Kraftwerk cover for good measure. Doubleplusgood!

A small label from Poland is quickly becoming one of my favourite, most reliable arbiters of new Punk acts both from nearby and around the world. This week I’m tickled that Syf Records has released a new EP from a solo Artist from Montreal, Canada. WHITE KNUCKLE is the noisework of Trevor Bushey, and ICSTQ is five tracks of wobbly guitars and synth drums. Dance, MFers, Dance!

A trio from London that released their proper debut back in October has returned with a three-track EP. Vanishing Twin is multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Cathy Lucas, Drummer Valentina Magaletti, and Bassist Susumu Mukai. Life Drummer is part of Sub Pop Records Singles Club, and begins with the uptempo and sharp title track, before exploring more dreamy landscapes.

Australia is always punching above its weight category in terms of frenetic Punk Music. A band from Brisbane that is made up former and current members of The Chats, The Unknown and Headlice. Rick N The Sickos released their debut album in 2021, and it is finally being released. RNTS is fourteen tracks of down and dirty, dumb Rock and Roll to bang your head to. Brain damage mandatory.

I haven’t seen much in the way of Modern Jazz lately, so I was pleased to come across a pianist and composer from the UK. Joe Webb is based in London, and his prowess is on full display on the new EP, Collbanc. Joined by Will Sach on bass and Sam Jesson on drums, Webb performs an eager and energetic piano, with delightful melodic steps and creative bounds.

A Hip-Hop MC from Soweto is claiming that he is retiring from the game. I hope it’s untrue, because I’ve been a fan of Priddy Ugly for a few years now, and he is one of the most consistently engaging rappers around. His “last” album, DUST shows the MC at the top of his game, with his unique delivery and gift of gab. Here’s hoping we’ll have more Music from him.

An ElectroPop act from New York that has been active for over a decade is back again with another full-length. TORRES is a duo that performs the compositions of Mackenzie Scott. What an enormous room is their sixth album and features Scott’s thoughtful and enigmatic voice. Double-tracked vocals give the album special presence.

My brain likes to make large leaps in judgement. When I saw the name Ty Segall, my brain immediately decided that they were a Country Artist and dismissed them as such. It was a grand mistake, and one that I’m pleased to have corrected. Ty Segall is a thoughtful and esoteric songwriter from Los Angeles. His latest album, Three Bells, offers shades of Mathy Rock and Prog. Psychedelic, but only on the correct drugs.

It’s a surprise to no one, my Feature Pick this week is from the Post-Radiohead Sad Rockers The Smile. Thom Yorke and co. have followed up their May, 2022 debut with a swiftly produced wonder. Wall Of Eyes is beautifully-produced, and adds to the Artists’ rich history of exploring new sounds and finding gorgeous resolution. Yorke’s falsetto is yearning and warm, and Tom Skinner’s drum work, and Jonny Greenwood’s guitar play lay a majestic canvas.

Are you still with me? I hope you found at least something to your liking. I know I did. Maybe I’ll see you again? Take care of yourself!

2023 New Music Jason Prize Longlist

As the Roman calendar nears its end for another lap around the cosmos, it’s time to take stock of all of my favourite Music for the year.

The New Music Jason Prize is a non-prestigious award that recognizes my Favourite Album released in a given year. Its second year of existence brings a strong list of contenders ranging from Hip-Hop to Classical and Country. To Soul and Punk, to Pop and Reggae, and even to gut-wrenching Singer-Songwriters. Have your fill!

The Longlist is a list of my twenty favourite albums of the year, compiled by a panel of one bearded Music fan, and listed in chronological order. Links to the original posts are embedded in the dates, and the albums are linked accordingly.

Week Ending Friday, October 20, 2023:

Sampha – Lahai

Week Ending Friday, October 27, 2023:

Alien Nosejob – The Derivative Sounds of… Or…A Dog Always Returns to Its Vomit

Week Ending Friday, November 17, 2023:

Danny Brown – Quaranta

Week Ending Friday, November 24, 2023:

Bloodshot Bill – Psyche-o-Billy

The Shortlist of the five finalists for the 2023 New Music Jason Prize will be announced on Sunday, December 24.

The presentation of the 2023 New Music Jason Prize occurs on Sunday, December 31 at 9 am EST.

For the 2022 New Music Jason Prize Longlist, Click Here.

For the 2022 New Music Jason Prize Presentation, Click Here.

The New Music I’m Listening To Flippantly This Week, November 18 – 24, 2023:

It’s a glorious day to wrap up a quiet Release Week. We’re starting to see some snow flying in the air, which is fine, as long as it doesn’t land.

I was able to find a total of 32 songs to recommend; Three Singles and two Albums. Let’s call it a healthy snack of Organic and Electronic sounds. Allons-y!

The Icelandic Vocal Goddess Björk is back with a “New” single. I use the quotes because Oral actually had its birth in the mid-1990’s. Ms. Gudmunsdottir decided to revive the discarded track, and asked Spanish singer Rosalía to join her. Proceeds for the song will be used for Legal Fees to fight International Fishing in Iceland. It sounds like it could have easily fit on Homogenic.

A single from War-torn Jerusalem is making the crowd at My Imaginary Nightclub feel awkward. But they’re ordering more drinks as they dance to Aralkum b/w Zellij by Mozaik Ses. The A-side is a head-nodder, whilst the B-side will have you busting several embarrassing moves.

Playing next for the patrons at Mon Discotheque Imaginaire is a single from UK Producer Iglooghost. Collision Data b/w Diode Teeth begins with a brisk Electronic slap of an A-side that features the wonderful Marina Herlop on vocals. Diode Teeth keeps the energy edgy and dark for all my Goth friends.

The long-held tradition of getting together with friends to create Art continues to thrive, no matter how the Industry winds may blow. The new album from American transplant to Canada Robert Connely Farr is a simple-yet-effective demonstration of this ethic. The Blues guitarist and singer sat down with his friend Jimmy “Duck” Holmes on drums, pressed “Record,” and came up with the thirteen tracks that is Pandora Sessions. Earthy downhome grooves with a whole lot of soul.

*Robert Connely Farr – Pandora Sessions*

My Feature Pick for this week is an Artist that Cult Film Director John Waters described as, “Roy Orbison with a head wound.” Bloodshot Bill hails from Montreal, Canada, and he carries a distinctly American sound. His new album Psyche-o-Billy has a classic Rockabilly and Country/Western soul, performed by a potentially insane person who emotes with wild yelps and yodels. His background vocals are hilarious singalongs, particularly on I’m A Ding Dong and the “poppa doos” of Tell Me To Go. Great fun for all.

Important Scheduling Note: Now that the Release Schedule is thinning out for the rest of the year, I will be releasing the 2023 New Music Jason Prize Longlist. The list of my twenty favourite albums of the year will be ready for your eyes on Sunday, December 3 at 9:00 am EST. The winner of the New Music Jason Prize will be announced on Sunday, December 31.

Take care of yourself!

The New Music I’m Listening To With Some Sense Of Decency This Week, October 21 – 27, 2023:

Hello! We’re already at the end of October, and the New Releases keep a-coming. Double digits again this week, with eleven recommendations to plop down in front of you. Plop!

A one track single that came down the turnpike this week comes from Richmond, Virginia’s James Goodson. As Dazy, he released one of my favourite records of the year last March. Dazy is back with Forced Perspective and Goodson’s knack for a catchy hook is still in full force. One of the great writers working in Pop today, and deserves way more recognition.

Dazy – Forced Perspective

Seattle’s venerable Sub Pop Records has a proper Singles Club that releases 7” vinyl records containing one song on each side. Their November release comes from local SynthPop band led by the duo of Alexander Attitude and Kendra Cox. Telehealth’s Mindtrap b/w Bitter Melody is upbeat and lively NerdPop. The A-side features catchy wordplay and energetic drums whilst the flip side is a midtempo lyrical gem that speaks to the search for validation in these disassociated times.

*Telehealth – Mindtrap b/w Bitter Melody*

Olympia, WA, duo Odor Eater is a Synth-based unit led by the enigmatic vocals of Harley Moore. Their second EP, Fairytale, which is released by St. Louis label Rotten Apple, has the cool detachment of early 80’s SynthPop. Think Gary Numan/Tubeway Army or early Depeche Mode, if they were fronted by PJ Harvey.

Rocket is a new quartet from Los Angeles that has been releasing singles these last few months. They’ve compiled their first five, and added two more, to their debut EP, Versions Of You. Uplifting guitars and the warm voice of Alithea Tuttle makes for a euphoric experience.

My BandCamp Wishlist is batting at an MVP level this week, with many of my recommendations coming from this handy little folder. Baton Rouge, Louisiana is where the duo known as SPLLIT is from and their latest album, Infinite Hatch is a Zappa-influenced weirdness, with challenging time signatures and progressions, mixed with straight Pop wonder.

Another entity that bats above league average (musically speaking) is the country/continent of Australia. You can always rely on the Aussies to come through with great Rock & Roll. One such Aussie is Jake Robertson. As Alien Nosejob, he is of the Bedroom Producer, multi-instrumentalist variety. Less than a year ago, I was introduced to him via his album, Stained Class. He’s back already with another full-length. The Derivative Sounds Of…Or…A Dog Always Returns To Its Vomit takes its Kinks-infused Poppy wonder through 80’s College Rock on thirteen tracks.

*Alien Nosejob – The Derivative Sounds Of…Or…A Dog Always Returns To Its Vomit*

If I am not very much mistaken, the next recommendation is my first to be from the Northwest Territories in Canada. PIQSIQ is a duo of female First Nation throat singers that incorporate looping and layering of vocals to create a mysteriously idyllic sound. Spectral Harmonies is nine tracks of new compositions using nothing but my favourite instrument, The Human Voice. Immerse yourself in the gorgeousity.

Also coming from my homeland is French Singer/Songwriter Klô Pelgag. Hailing from Montreal, the Chanteuse is following up her successful 2020 album Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs with a four-song EP. Sieste sur l’oreille droite is a delicately beautiful collection of mesmerizing melodies..

*Kiô Pelgag – Sieste sur l’oreille droite*

Not much this week from the Hip-Hop world, but I do have this one that needs to be shouted out. Uber Magnetic is the duo of Roughneck Jihad and Junior Disprol, and they share the mic on their self-titled full-length debut. Conscious rhymes and terrific production, paired with terrific turntablism from DJ Jaffa, DJ Krash Slaughta and Sir Beans OBE make this a winner.

One of my favourite male voices in the world today is Bristol’s Joe Yorke. His smooth and soulful falsetto brings to mind Jimmy Somerville, and his fierce honesty shines through on his most recent album, Hopeless. It’s a terrific follow-up to his April album with The Co-Operators, A Distant Beat. Lead-off single Man is a Rocksteady bop that takes the gender to task; “I don’t want to see another sister suffer at the hands of a man, no more. ‘Cause I am not a man, if that’s what a man is.” Young’s soaring voice takes you to the highest highs.

My Feature Pick for this week comes from an Artist I discovered last year and she becomes the first Artist to be chosen more than once as my Feature Pick. Marina Herlop is a pianist, vocalist, composer and producer from Barcelona. Her 2022 album Pripyat was a big success, and her newest, Nekkuja is a luscious collection of seven tracks incorporating Herlop’s gorgeous voice, harp, and ambient Electronics. Delicious.

I’m told that there will be a new song coming from The Beatles’ camp next week. In fact, it’s a very old song that has been given fresh life, thanks to film producer Peter Jackson.

One of my guiding principles, while writing about New Music, is to stay away from Posthumous releases, based on the notion that “Dead people can’t make New Music.” As such, you won’t find a recommendation from me for this “new” song. I’ll listen to it, probably once. But I feel nauseous about the whole thing.

I’m going to take care of myself. I’m hoping you all are doing the same. Talk soon!

The New Music I’m Listening To Unequivocally This Week, August 19 – 25, 2023:

Happy Friday to every one of you, my loved ones! The clouds bring a bit of a sense of gloom to the surroundings, but we can chase them away with the healing power of New Music.

I’ve got eight titles for you to chew on, so let’s get right down to it!

After a single back in May, Atlanta duo Revival Season is back with another banger. Everybody starts with a memorable refrain that I dare you to not join in on. Deep bass drives the song, which comes with a BandCamp exclusive remix.

Revival Season – Everybody

A new EP arrived from Aussie One-Piece Billiam. I discovered Billy “Gotta Go Fast” Twyford and his itchy brand of Pop-Punk last year, via a split EP with VOVOS. Now, a new three-track EP, Out On Medication!, has Billiam alone with three more catchy and fun songs to get your Pogo on.

Australia is always coming strong with energetic and exciting Rock & Roll; both of the sophisticated and the primitive sort. The Belair Lip Bombs are a quartet from Melbourne that marry the raw energy of Garage Rock with clever Pop hooks. Their most recent album, Lush Life is a rush of adrenaline.

A duo direct from my BandCamp Wishlist have released their debut collaboration. Chicago’s Sense is on the mic, and Kenautis Smith takes care of production on Wonderful Ones. There are no Features to pull focus away from this engaging MC (Master of Ceremonies? Mister Clean? Money Collector? Maxell Cassette?), with Smith dropping samples on the wheels of steel. 9 tracks, 17 minutes, no fat.

*Kenautis Smith x Sense – Wonderful Ones*

Zenzile is an Artist from France that has been creating House, Dub and Trip-Hop for over twenty years. His latest project is the four-track Dub Promozione, which gives us three new songs, and an alternate take of Amor y coning. The aforementioned song is a lazy Dub track, and the following doesn’t stray far from that tempo, but it is a mood to immerse yourself in.

Mello Music Group is an American Hip-Hop label that’s home to a number of quality Conscious Hip-Hop Artists. They’ve released a compilation album this week. Omakase showcases many on the label’s roster, including Marlowe, YUNGMORPHEUS and Apollo Brown on downtempo beats and heavy bass.

Stand-Up Comedian and MC Open Mike Eagle made an album in 2020 that caught my attention, and I’m pleased to see him return with another full-length. another triumph of ghetto engineering is a multi-Producer album, featuring the talents of Quelle Chris, Illingsworth, Kenny Segal and others. Eagle comes with bars both thoughtful and playful, with the deepest of depths.

*Open Mike Eagle – another triumph of ghetto engineering*

The Unicorns were a Cult favourite band out of Montreal that saw modest success in the early 2000’s. After their breakup, members Nicholas Thorburn and Jamie Thompson formed Islands and have gone on to release nine albums. Their latest, And That’s Why Dolphins Lost Their Legs is adventurous Indie Pop with glimmering Synth flourishes and glossy production. It’s my Feature Pick for the week.

*Islands – And That’s Why The Dolphins Lost Their Legs*

Doesn’t that feel better? I hope all this got your endorphins racing and put a big old stupid smile on your face. Have a great weekend, and be kind to yourself!

The New Music I’m Listening To In My Uniquely Affable Manner This Week, June 3 – 9, 2023:

We finally received some much-needed rain in our neighborhood, and hopefully that has extended to the areas of the country affected by forest fires. The only affect we have had here is a smoky aroma, not unlike incense in the air.

The week that was, in New Music, was more fruitful than I had anticipated. I was left with twelve new titles to recommend to all my friendly friends.

My single to start the week comes from a great artist from El Paso, Texas whom I featured last August. Teri Gender-Bender is releasing a full-length album next month, and the teaser single, We Won The Man is infectious and groovy.

Teri Gender-Bender – You Won The Man

A quirky and interesting band from Chicago got my attention early this week. The Miami Dolphins are a four-piece that claim no affiliation to the American Football team, though they have just as many Super Bowl wins in the ten years they’ve been recording. Their new album (their fourth) Melon Baller is ten tracks of Indie Pop with melodic vocals traded between male and female singers.

An Experimental Label from France called Falt has started to grab my attention. They have released a new full-length from an anonymous artist called Concrete Colored Paint, who is a Producer of Ambient Sound Pictures. Grey Orchid is twelve tracks featuring mesmerizing loops and swelling waves of Noise.

Afrobeat is an infectious rhythmic sound that moves your body instantaneously. Unfortunately, it becomes old quickly without transitions and switches to the beat. Kabza De Small is a producer from Johannesburg, South Africa who is conscious of this pitfall. On his seven-track EP, ZIWANGALE he utilizes stops and starts, and the talents of many feature artists to round out his sound. It has brought all the imaginary patrons of My Imaginary Nightclub to their feet.

This Is The Kit is the performing name for Singer-Songwriter Kate Stables. Her new album, Careful Of Your Keepers, is produced by Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals. Stables’ voice is soft and inviting, and her writing is excellent.

*This Is The Kit – Careful Of Your Keepers*

A quartet from Philadelphia caught my attention this week with their second full-length. feeble little horse comes through my BandCamp Wishlist with an enthralling eleven tracks, fronted by confident vocalist Lydia Slocum. Check out Girl With Fish.

A humorous band from Philadelphia that I know and love has never been accused of being thoughtful. The Dead Milkmen, in the forty year of existence, has always been smart, sharp, and hilarious. After a nine-year hiatus, they are back with Quaker City Quiet Pills. Starting off with Grandpa’s Not A Racist (He Just Voted For One), Rodney Anonymous, Joe Joe Talcum, and Dean Clean announce their triumphant return.

*The Dead Milkmen – Quaker City Quiet Pills*

Public Body is a quintet from Brighton, UK that has released a wry and humorous new record. Big Mess is an excellent party record with synth drums and snide observations.

A strange collaboration was released this week. Israeli singer, musician and producer Dudu Tassa, and Radiohead guitarist and composer Jonny Greenwood have come together to create Jarak Qaribak. Throughout its nine tracks, tabla plays with various strings of the bowed and strummed variety. Vocals dance with each other to this exotic-flavoured gift.

*Dudu Tassa & Jonny Greenwood – Jarak Qaribak*

The collaboration I was expecting to talk about today has indeed come through. Decisive Pink is made up of Russian Synth-Pop great Kate NV, and former member of The Dirty Projectors, and LA singer-songwriter Angel Deradoorian. Their debut, Ticket To Fame, is catchy and hypnotic enough to actually be their ticket to fame, and if I were king, it would be so.

It’s nice to see something unique and interesting that comes from the land in which I hail. A septet from Montréal, just up the St. Lawrence River from us (about a day’s trip by canoe), has just released their sophomore album. TEKE::TEKE utilizes Japanese Folk Music, Brazilian Surf-Rock and many other touchstones on Hagata.

I’ve chosen my Feature Pick for this week was chosen for its unique origins. Big Blood is a band formed by Caleb Mulkerin and Colleen Kinsella in the wake of the dissolution of their previous band. When looking for vocalists, they looked no further than their thirteen year-old daughter, Quinnissa. The result is First Aid Kit, a ten-track debut (plus two bonus tracks). Quinnissa’s vocals are passionate and honest about her life experiences, and the recordings are reminiscent of old Ronnie Spector records from the early 1960’s.

Maybe you found something that tickles your fancy. I’ve gotten so old I can’t even reach my fancy anymore.

Be good to yourself!

The New Music I’m Listening To With Great Aplomb This Week, April 8 – 14, 2023:

A beautiful week, is what it is! Hope the sun in shining in your sky, as I impart some musical love in your direction. I have eight new titles you can sink your teeth into. Or you can just suck on it. That’s not what I meant.

When my wife and I were married, back at the turn of the century, we went for our honeymoon to the west coast of Canada and the US. As we were sitting while the plane was taking off, the Alternative station on the in-flight entertainment played the current Canadian hit Come For A Ride by By Divine Right (which included Leslie Feist on rhythm guitar and vocals). We felt that the serendipity of the moment was special, and it became, for a time, Our Song. During that trip we made our way to Whistler, BC and playing in The Boot Pub that very night was By Divine Right. Of course we went to the show and it was great. The next morning we drove down to the ferry to go to Victoria, on Vancouver Island. Can you imagine who I locked eyes with while on the ferry, in recognition of each other? Leslie freaking Feist! You can imagine how happy I was to see her solo career take off. Her voice is magical, and she has a profound point of view, as demonstrated by her most recent album, Multitudes. She really is brilliant.

Die Letzen Ecken is an Experimental Post-Punk trio from Berlin. Led with bubbling synths and angular rhythms, their second album Talisman is confidently cool and charismatic.

A vocalist from London who is beginning to make a name for herself has released her debut EP. Across the five tracks of We Meet At Last, Kay Young introduces herself as a bold and captivating new voice who deserves all the flowers.

Joshua Abrams is a multi-instrumentalist from Chicago who has been releasing collaborative Jazz albums as Natural Information Society for over fifteen years. His latest, Since Time Is Gravity, features ten additional artists, including Ben Lamar Gay on Cornet, and living legend Ari Brown on saxophone. Enjoy the journey!

*Natural Information Society – Since Time Is Gravity*

A brand new collaboration between New York’s producer and multi-instrumentalist Leon Michels and legendary MC of The Roots Black Thought has been unleashed. Along with the Philadelphia lyricist, El Michels Affair’s Glorious Game brings twelve tracks of fire.

*El Michels Affair & Black Thought – Glorious Game*

Prof is a rapper and producer from Minneapolis that looks uncannily like Music Reviewer Anthony Fantano. Maybe Fantano will take note of Horse, which is a fancy-free and fun release that contains features from both Method Man and Redman. I’m feeling a Solid 7.

Montreal’s Kid Koala is probably my favourite turntablist. Between his solo work and with Deltron 3030 and Gorillaz he has always been consistently innovative. His new album, Creatures of the Late Afternoon, infuses a more Rock attitude to his Hip-Hop template, across twenty tracks.

*Kid Koala – Creatures of the Late Afternoon*

I confess that I got into a bad habit of skipping over certain genres of Music that haven’t been paying off for me. An artist that taught me to do my due diligence is knocking my socks off this week. Joe Young is a Reggae singer from Bristol, UK. His high tenor voice is truly out of this world, and ranks with the best. His new album, with backing band The Co-Operators, A Distant Beat, showcases Young’s voice with winning production that tastefully incorporates Electronic elements. My Feature Pick for the week.

*Joe Young & The Co-Operators – A Distant Beat*

HR tells me that I should apologize for my choice of words, but you know what? They can suck on it as well. It’ll serve them well.

Be good to yourself!

The (mostly) New Music I (And My Children) Are Listening To This Cold Week, February 18 – 24, 2023:

We’ve been pretty fortunate this winter, here in Southern Ontario, in terms of weather. It has been unseasonably mild, with nary a trace of snow. Not a great sign that Global Warming is the scam that they try to tell us it is, but it’s nice.

When the weather has turned fierce, it has been with freezing rain, which has led to school closures for the kiddies. Spending this extra time with my fourteen year-old Noah, and his nine year-old sister Abby, has afforded me the opportunity to hang out and listen to what Music they’re into.

For the past few months, Noah has been very much ‘into’ a band that has not been active since 2011. Tally Hall comes from Ann Arbor, Michigan. They’re a five-piece, comprised of four songwriters; Joe Hawley, Rob Cantor, Zubin Sedghi and Andrew Horowitz. In their ten active years, they released two full-lengths, before moving on to solo endeavours. Both Noah and Abby would deem this band to be their favourite, and I’m so proud of their taste. Well crafted Pop, with ingenious and hilarious lyrics. And weird. So weird. Excuse me, I have something in my eye…🥹

Tally Hall – Cannibal

A fascinating Experimental Album came out last week (2/17) that got lost in the avalanche. Eliza Bagg is a soprano from Los Angeles who has worked with Caroline Shaw and John Zorn, as well as being a soloist for the New York Philharmonic. As Lisel, Bagg releases her own compositions, and her recent release is Patterns For Auto-Tuned Voices And Delay. Throughout the eleven tracks, Eliza plays with the Auto-Tune effect and stretches its limits, with whimsical results.

*Lisel – Patterns For Auto-Tuned Voices And Delay*

A Single to start this week’s nine recommendations comes from Toronto’s Ada Rook. As one-half of Punk duo Black Dresses, Ada got my attention in 2021 with their passionate album. Her latest is a two-song collaboration with Cincinnati MC Chloe Hotline. The A-side Flatline is a catchy banger with teeth. The flipside, Live It Down is a thoughtful midtempo introspection.

*Ada Rook x Chloe Hotline – Flatline/Live It Down*

Discreet Music is a Record Label based in Gothenburg, Sweden, that prides itself as, ‘New Sounds of Swedish Underground.’ Their most recent offering comes from a quartet called Blod. As demonstrated on their album Där Ska Barnet Vara they utilize acoustic instruments including Pump Organ to conjure beautiful delicate melodies, alongside lo-fi Pop.

Also from Sweden, Gustav Horneij is the mastermind behind Organic Pulse Ensemble. His most recent release, A Thousand Hands is steeped in spirituality, conjuring Coltrane modality. Flute takes the lead in several places, and the musicianship is outstanding.

*Organic Pulse Ensemble – A Thousand Hands*

A female-led project from New York City caressed my ears this week. RAZA רזא is led by vocalist Chana Raskin and utilizes over 20 other singers. In their full-length album Kapelya the singers perform what is known as Nigunum, a form of Hebrew religious Music, primarily sung by males. This purports to be the first recording of its kind. With beautiful appropriate instrumentation these group vocals interpret the traditional melodies in a warm and questioning manner.

An ensemble that gathered in Montréal at the behest of instrumentalist and composer Devin Brahja Waldman has created a wonderfully rich new full-length. Calling themselves KADEF (Karma, Agape, Discernment, Enactment & Freedom) their self-titled album spans twelve tracks of delicately-produced immaculate vocal performances from Ziad Qoulaii, buoyed by tasteful instrumentation.

Art thou ready to Rock?! A debut EP from Chicago Punk quartet Cel Ray has me pogoing all over the house. Cellular Raymond is six-tracks in fifteen minutes of throbbing insistent joy.

One of my major pet peeves is shitty Band Names. If you have one goal in naming your band, it should be that it is distinct, and designed to make it easy to find you. A band that hasn’t learned this lesson is Richmond, Virginia’s K9. If you do a quick search on your Music streaming provider for that name, you will find over 40 acts called K9 (and you most likely won’t find this one). Their six-track EP Harmony Kills is on BandCamp, and in the thirteen minutes it takes to play, the band meanders through Power Punk, Pop, and Folky textures. A curious instrument lineup, with two guitars, drums, and violin.

“You…can suck it. I’m fed up with your games. Fuck it, I’ll do it on my own.” This is how Belgian vocalist and songwriter Adja Fassa introduces herself to the listener. ADJA’s debut five-track EP IRONEYE spotlights Fassa’s agile voice, set to scintillating soulful grooves, with no prisoners held.

My BandCamp Wishlist came into this week with twelve titles awaiting release. I started to think I would have too many new titles again this week (Oh, heavens, what’s to become of me?). However, there was a bloodbath in my Wishlist. Most of the releases that I was curious to hear more of just didn’t match up to my psyche. I wanted to like Algiers, Model/Actriz, and Philip Selway’s new albums, but it was not to be.

With ADJA, the only other title that made it to the Promised Land is by an artist that I fell in love with last year. Miss Grit is a bedroom Indie Pop Artist from Brooklyn. She has released her first full-length, Follow The Cyborg, and it is my Feature Pick for this week. Grit’s pensive voice is married to ingenious Electro Pop Production. Dance while your heart breaks.

I hope the sun is shining in your sky, and you’re able to find your joy. Take good care of yourself, friends.