Singer-songwriter Cass McCombs has always been a compelling storyteller and Tip of the Sphere, his latest work, might just be his magnum opus. The album, released on Feb. 8, is a whirlwind of fantastical world-building, deft lyricism, and cathartic melodies. The songs are a subtle departure from the spare, folksy[Read More…]
Music
The hollow girl bossery of ‘thank u, next’
My interest in Ariana Grande was piqued by 2018’s Sweetener, a critically-acclaimed jazz-infused love letter to then-beau, comedian Pete Davidson. thank u, next is the antidote to Sweetener, a cryptic dissection of the infamous broken engagement that has been met with similar praise. And yet, it is at this juncture that I[Read More…]
Igloofest is still cold in its 13th iteration
Most people spend January and February huddled up indoors trying to avoid any contact with the frigid, brutal elements. Not Montrealers, though—for three weekends every year, hordes of ravers dressed in 90s ski-jackets and spacesuits brave the winter, fill up Quai Jacques-Cartier, and dance the night away. This year was[Read More…]
Fired up with Fireball Kid
Just over halfway through Fireball Kid’s “Be Friends” (with Magi Merlin, Ura Star, and Big Friends) a distorted guitar solo rips through the production. Sparkly pop textures, autotuned falsetto verses, and Magi Merlin’s lush, commanding hook suddenly fall off, and, for a second, it sounds like someone tripped over a[Read More…]
Oh, What a Show: Kacey Musgraves radiates at Mtelus
“Born in a hurry, always late, haven’t been early since ’88,” is one of the best and most endearing opening lines for an album. It is infinitely more compelling when sung by a shimmering silhouette emerging from a shroud of fog. From those opening words to the last glimmering chords[Read More…]
The best and worst of 2018
Best Albums: 1. Be the Cowboy, Mitski Sad indie kids have traded their beanies for cowboy hats, wallowing in perhaps the most beautiful auditory manifestation of sadness to ever have graced the radio waves. Hive Mind, The Internet 2. Hive Mind, The Internet This summer, the Internet brought the[Read More…]
Grimes said “We Appreciate Power,” so now we appreciate power
The rise of artificial Intelligence (A.I.) has been decried by the likes of many — after all, there are few things more terrifying than that. Not exactly so: According to Grimes’ newest track, “We Appreciate Power,” this dystopia could actually be pretty cool. The Canadian pop princess declared the A.I. invasion to be good, therefore, it is gospel.
In conversation with Gregory Alan Isakov
Given the rustic tone of his music, it seems appropriate that Gregory Alan Isakov recorded his fourth full length record, Evening Machines, in his barn-turned-studio in Colorado. The album, released Oct. 5, blends a familiar palette of indie-folk tropes with elements of haunting electronic production.
Lakes of Canada blends eclectic influences in ‘We Will Outlive the Sun’
While up-and-coming indie rock bands often attempt to mimic genre-defining groups such as Arcade Fire or LCD Soundsystem, Lakes of Canada has proven itself capable of carving its own path in the music world. Their new concept album, We Will Outlive the Sun, adds innovative flavour to the industry. The[Read More…]
No shame, no apologies: Lily Allen sparkles at Corona Theatre
Following the June 8 release of her electropop record No Shame, English singer-songwriter Lily Allen brought a spirited energy to Corona Theatre on Oct. 27. A few hundred concert-goers, damp and cold from the first snow of the fall, convened near the stage in anticipation of Allen’s performance. Accompanied by[Read More…]
