Sleepy Kicks – Serving Money
The music industry and service industry are two sides of the same sword, and “Serving Money” is Sleepy Kicks’ attempt to discern which side will cut them first. Full of excess and burnout, somehow they both prove to be hard habits to kick, at least until they kick you.
Get Real! – Sucker Punch
Get Real! manages to serve us new music that comes equipped with a nostalgic feel for the ‘90s and early 2000s on their new album Seasick Hotel. “Sucker Punch” chimes in with a sound reminiscent of Weezer and lyrics of self-consciousness in love — something that often does feel like a sucker punch to the gut.
Charke-Cormier Duo – Bathymetric Terrains
This nearly-instrumental track is a loveable oddball. If you’re looking for the soundtrack to an underwater adventure, perhaps a documentary film by Wes Anderson, look no further than Charke-Cormier’s “Bathymetric Terrains.”
Radio Radio – Last Call
Acadian duo Radio Radio has thrown you a tidy little dance party that captures all the highs of a night out while lamenting the unenviable experience of FOMO, all through the magic of Chiac.
Keeper E. – Please Don’t Tell Me
A debut brimming with catchiness and playful pop accents, Keeper E.’s first single combines floaty positivity with grounded self-care. Because truly, “love is so very distracting.”
The Trews – God Speed Rebel
The Trews remain near and dear to our hearts as the absolute champions of big energy bar rock, and during a year when most of us barely got to leave our houses, they brought that energy directly to us in a way that, admittedly, probably only had us bouncing off the walls even more. But, good lord, did we ever need it.
TWRP – Only the Best
What better way to create a tribute to the mothers of the world than disco rhythms and synthesizer solos? “Over The Top” is Tupperware Remix Party’s way of saying thanks to and celebrating all moms — even yours.
Elephant Skeletons
“Sleep” heads the mysterious new collection from Elephant Skeletons with a growling vocoder, emitting images of a cyber dreamscape. All six tracks of the new album circle the same theme, encouraging the view of our subconscious state as a destination.
Tim Baker – Survivors
For “Survivors,” the former Hey Rosetta! frontman got exploratory with some of the new sounds we heard on his 2019 album, Forever Overhead. His new track brings us a fluttering of both horns and feelings on a slow build to wonderful effect.
Loviet – When It’s Over
Loviet crafted a three-song EP that encapsulates a short and sweet, hormone-fuelled relationship. The release is packed with a manic energy, right down to the near-disastrous bitter end of “When It’s Over” — all while screaming Debbie Harry vibes.
Like a Motorcycle – Wide Awake
Describing the foggy period between an unhealthy past and a bleak future, “Wide Awake” encourages us to take the risks necessary to break our bad habits and cycles. And while the band wrote the track some time ago, its release this year was exceptionally timely.
TWRP – Need Each Other
Off Tupperware Remix Party’s new album full of could-be hits, the neo-soul sound of “Need Each Other” won us over the most. This track is a collaboration with California’s Planet Booty, and it’s a groovy dance party through and through with a sublime guitar solo to boot.
Calm Baretta – The Rain
Calm Baretta’s abstract-pop passion project saw them collaborate with Adam Warren and Nigel Haan for this big release at the end of an otherwise uneventful year. Written as a rumination on a past relationship, the track mixes warm and fuzzy memories with the chill of a lonely soul.
Rev Hank – Theme from El Camino de los Meurtos
Rev Hank of the Urban Surf Kings goes full Ennio Morricone with his ode to spaghetti westerns, El Camino de los Muertos. Crafting a soundtrack to a fictional film, he’s dived into a genre usually reserved for Sergio Leone’s classics.
Like a Motorcycle – Punk Two
Hidden under Like a Motorcycle’s upbeat grungy rock sound are the lyrics of their track “Punk Two,” describing how it can feel to be simultaneously too broke to die and too broke to keep living. But the track’s accompanying video reminds us that when things get really bleak, we can always count on Kraft Dinner eating contests as a last resort to save ourselves.
Levi Rowan – Let It Go
Levi Rowan released two major singles this year. “Honest” may have blown us away with the major steps forward Levi has taken while working with Neon Dreams, but nothing is topping the stellar video that was produced by Alex Gayoso for “Let It Go.” For a song about personal growth, Levi Rowan does a lot by showing us what he’s already accomplished.
Moira & Claire – Better Than This
The chilling harmonies of Moira & Claire have won us over again. In their track “Better Than This,” the duo sing of the challenges of having a friend move away and wondering whether they feel your absence as strongly as you feel theirs.
Meg Warren – Wild Woman
Meg Warren’s “Wild Woman” off her solo debut A Thousand Ways is full of swagger and confidence, but it also deals with intense feelings of letting oneself down. But after a year like 2020, the feeling of looking back over the past 12 months and realizing you accomplished none of your resolutions and goals will be nothing short of relatable to the majority of us.
Calm Baretta – Dusted
Calm Baretta worked with producer John Mullane (In-Flight Safety) to navigate their way to the top of the charts with this hit. The bassline and synth have been duking it out for our affections since the track’s release in June, and while it might have fallen from the #2 spot of our mid-year review, it’s wedged itself into a groove in our hearts.
Rich Aucoin – How It Breaks
As the United States kick-off track, “How It Breaks” has stayed a favourite of ours since its release in April. Written while Rich Aucoin was bicycling around the country, the song acts as a protest anthem. Shouting “it’s over when we say so, and it’s already time,” the track makes nods to Rhianna, David Bowie and The Beatles, and its message is in line with that of “Come Together.”
Chloé Breault – P’tits problèmes
Chloé Breault is reminding us all to not get hung up on the little things with “P’tits problèmes.” After a crazy year of endless hurdles, this catchy track delivers a helpful message and could serve as a mantra for us all.
Rich Aucoin – Reset
In his second single off his album United States, Rich Aucoin states his stance on America’s gun laws with this indignation-fuelled shred. Written following and in response to the Stoneman Douglas High School shootings in Parkland, Florida, Aucoin used “Reset” to express his frustrations with and disappointment in the laws.
Language Arts – Sprout
Language Arts proved to be a pleasant surprise this year. Kristen Cudmore had only recently returned to Atlantic Canada, and our first introduction to her was this epic, tear-jerking groove about the day she first met her dog, Sprout. Combined with a video by animator Pierre-Julien Fieux that feels part Maurice Sendak, part Pendleton Ward, part Hayao Miyazaki, the single practically becomes an anthem for a magical world we wish we could visit.
Skeleton Club – 777
Skeleton Club break out some big hooks for “777.” Built on the massive sound of Morgan Zwicker’s drums, our new favourite trio uses the song to harp on the 9-5 grind of the daily rat race — and also to express their wish of hitting the jackpot.
Meg Warren – Bomb
Newfoundland songbird darling Meg Warren, previously of Repartee, dropped a bomb on us late this year. No, really. Her debut single for her solo EP was jaw-dropping material. It delivered her unique, trademark flair while showcasing her ability to blossom as a solo artist. This single was the first evidence that her EP was going to be well worth the wait.
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You’ve completed another scrolling marathon! While we cannot offer you juice and cookies, we can make it easier on you for next time by providing you with this handy playlist for your listening pleasure. Please enjoy responsibly.