Affirming Edition
Week 4: Neon Dreams, Samia, Vistas, The Hara, Ava Max, Fucked Up, Tom Odell, SG Lewis, White Reaper
I’m buzzing! Still on a high having stepped in through the door from the rescheduled Florence + the Machine show (the author of my #1 album of 2022, as you may recall). Flo is an incredible performer. Not the only one I’m seeing soon either. Broken Chanter played an enchanting sold out hometown show last night for the Celtic Connections festival. Part of the same sees Tim Baker (of Hey Rosetta!) with a solo gig on Friday. Next week is my beloved Stars and another previously postponed one, Lande Hekt. Nothing better than a life-affirming concert, except perhaps several in a row.
[Alt-Pop Blend]
Neon Dreams – Love Child Baby Dolphin
No, I don’t know what that title is about either. I do know the album is more positive, upbeat pop with dashes of electronics and hip hop sensibility. Like the best smoothies, it whirls a whack of yummy ingredients together to make an easy-to-consume meal in short time (23 mins). It breezes by and makes it obvious that this duo are still having loads of fun with it. They’ve found ‘The Happiness of Tomorrow’ [2021] and continue it today.
Just1Song: I could have sworn I’ve already covered ITS ALL GOOD, typo and all, but I can’t find it so here it is… and it’s makin’ me dance.
[Open Indie Pop]
Samia – Honey
There are plenty of solo female artists releasing excellent indie pop and adjacent records these days - think Mitski and Lucy Dacus - and I’m certainly here for them. Samia is my newest favourite to join them. It’s not the music necessarily. No, the unashamed lyrics come across in their own right. Straight from the understated opener that plays a simple low synth and has lyrics you might expect based on the title, Kill Her Freak Out. It’s a vibe. Low-key sure, but this might be a sleeper year-end album if anyone remembers it 11 months from now.
Just1Song: The aforementioned opener and the dreamy closer, Dream Song, bookend this album beautifully.
[Resurgent Indie Pop]
Vistas – The Beautiful Nothing
I try and remain true to the music, resisting outside influence or judgement. If I enjoy a song, then that should be all that there is to it. It’s not high school anymore; there’s no cool kids left to impress, and besides, authenticity is the true attractive quality anyhow. That said, I can’t be certain if I truly didn’t love their sophomore album, ‘What Were You Hoping to Find?’ [2021] or if I was put off by the Barrowlands being chockablock full of teenagers when I finally saw them post- (mid-?) pandemic. It may be nothing, so I’m happy to report that the Vistas I fell in love with are here again on this beautiful EP.
Just1Song: I’ve already covered the opener so next up is track two, My Head Feels Strange.
[Punk of Sorts]
THE HARA – Died in My Twenties EP
Not sure what’s going on with the album cover, eliciting thoughts of bad metal, I listened based on name recognition from a pal. First popping this little offering on… “I thought this was a hardcore punk band?” You wouldn’t know it from the first two tracks that play towards fun rock until finally on track 3, Fire, do they trade Okay That’s Me up-beats for chugging electric guitars. It finishes out towards the punk in a positive way, shades of Architects, and although I’m still not sure where to pigeonhole them, they’ve moved up in my standings.
Just1Song: Of those two tunes, Fire is more representative of their normal sound, I suspect.
[Big Dance Pop]
Ava Max – Diamonds & Dancefloors
There’s no denying that this is a big pop album. A record full of bangers ready to be blared at the club. It feels akin to Dua Lipa and a few of those “perfect” pop albums we’ve been endowed in recent years. It moves me.
Just1Song: Weapon has more body to the lyrics while maintaining the dance beat.
[Raw Hardcore]
Fucked Up – One Day
It always feels gimmicky when artists set themselves artificial time-limitations to create music. In this case Fucked Up’s guitarist, Mike Haliechuk, gave each band member only a day each to lay down their parts for what is now a 10-track record. Thank goodness that F.U. are such a seasoned, veteran band because they managed to pull it off. Cutting back to a slightly rawer sound than most of their output, especially compared to the expansive rock-opera of their magnum opus, ‘David Comes to Life’ [2011]. Don’t fret, it still hits at a visceral level and in no way comes across as throwaway.
Just1Song: Presumably they mean the Lords of Kensington Market from my home city of Toronto. Love the guitar hook that courses through this.
[Ballad]
Tom Odell – Butterflies featuring AURORA
Two beautiful singers coming together for a lovely ballad. My biggest complaint is that it only lasts a couple of minutes. More, please.
[Mainstream Pop]
SG Lewis – Another Life
A veritable hit-maker, you can take a scroll through this guy’s catalogue of credits for yourself but the Tove Lo song, Call on Me, is right here. Okay, I’ll tease a few: Dave, Dua Lipa, Elton John - ever heard of ‘em? Granted his work with others may surpass his personal output but this record ‘AudioLust and HigherLove’ is decent and leading the way is Another Life.
[Dirty Punk]
White Reaper – Asking for a Ride
This is a throwback to dirty, thrash, punk rock. Big ol’ guitar chords leading into grand solos, chugging drums, and sing/yell vocals. If you wanna turn the dial back to the early 90’s punk, or even earlier for 80’s metal vibes, then stick out your thumb and hop into ‘Asking for a Ride.’
Just1Song: You’d have to be a Bozo not to at least give ‘em a go.
Finally, the fourth from Young Fathers who I’m sadly gonna miss next month.
The rest of that Shania (Twain) record releases Friday.
Raye came up in conversation today so I’ll check for buzz.
Good to get all these shows in before I go on an extended gig hiatus. More on that soon.
-Stefan
