2018 has been shaping up to be the year of pop-punk anthems and concept albums and we’re pretty okay with that. It’s almost as if current events have spurred a certain level of societal angst and need for discourse. Go figure.
We’ve put a team of our best scientists together, and while they haven’t manage to solve any of the world’s problems, they have successfully worked out this list of the best music of the year (so far).
The Town Heroes – Poets
Full of drum and bass and The Town Heroes‘ trademark falsetto, “Poets” is a catchy and heartfelt track all about how to face something on your own when they fall apart. Also features a video of singer Mike Ryan getting covered in nachos and silly string. Very suitable for 2018.
Tuns – When You’re Ready
Supergroup Tuns, featuring members of Sloan, the Super Friendz and the Inbreds, produced “When You’re Ready” just in time to be featured as the new theme song for Crawford, the new tv series from Trailer Park Boys creator Mike Clattenberg.
Rachel Beck – Reckless Heart
Rachel Beck exploded out of Prince Edward Island this year. Her piano-fuelled hit “Reckless Heart” topped the charts and took her across the country.
Kids Losing Sleep – In Love No More
Serving up some young love and dance party beats, Kids Losing Sleep’s “In Love No More” is one among the many great pop-punk tracks to come out of Atlantic Canada in 2018 (so far). With its upbeat rhythm and catchy pop-punk riffs, it’s practically tailor-made for your summer playlist… or breakup mix.
Grand Finale – Pool Party
Dennis Ellsworth and Kinley Dowling team up for another project, resulting in “Pool Party.” By that, we mean it looks like they blew some grant money on pool inflatables. Fortunately, the resulting track is a ridiculously catchy summer jingle.
Smaller Hearts – The Ups and Downs of Forgetting Everything
Off their debut album of the same name, Smaller Hearts delivered this drifty, dreamy lull of a track amongst some highly experimental pieces.
Sparkee x Pineo & Loeb – Feel It
Halifax EDM powerhouses PINEO & LOEB capitalized on Sparkee’s shoutout from Deadmau5 to deliver a surefire feel-good summer track that will definitely have the crowds at Future Forest on their feet.
Bleum – Lose You
Bleum‘s debut single gave us some serious Kygo vibes. Now performing with a full band, Bleum is exploding.
Ben Caplan – Plough The Shit
It’s no surprise that Ben Caplan, being one of the most renowned musicians across Atlantic Canada over the past few years, would wind up on our list. Off his new album Old Stock, the track “Plough the Shit” rips with a crescendoing energy that practically spits itself out at the listener’s ears.
StoneHouse – What’s Going On
All we can think about is the possibility of hearing Eddie Vedder cover the entirety of StoneHouse‘s album. The whole thing is drenched in 90s glory (which probably tastes like Colt 45).
Little Cities – Girl Next Door
Another on our list of great pop-punk songs to come out of Atlantic Canada this year so far is “Girl Next Door” by Little Cities. It tells the stereotypical and time-honoured tale of the Girl Next Door dating the guy who is all kinds of wrong for her, but it tells it with a fun and upbeat sound.
Sorrey – Go Get Ahead
Dreamy bedroom pop band from Charlottetown, Sorrey, provides a closeout jam to your next sleepover party with “Go Get Ahead.”
The Crossroad Devils
Combining old-school and blues sounds you’d swear fell straight out of the 60s, “The Jackpot” will have you barrelling backwards through the vortex of nostalgia (ie: YouTube).
Nap Eyes – Every Time The Feeling
Nap Eyes‘s characteristically philosophical lyrics and Lou Reed vibe made it a shoe-in for our list; all top 40 lists need a an item that contemplates whether depression or negativity has the upper hand—especially this one.
Taylor Ackerman – Never Ever
Sporting one of the best artist/album names on the list, Taylor Ackerman’s Global Acid Reset delivered this funky ode to self and society on his Ruin Lust EP.
The Galpines – Visa Bill Blues
Our favourite gals are up to their usual: living life to the fullest and singing songs about it, whether their credit limit can handle it or not. In typical Galpines fashion, they’ve gone a bit far and have a few regrets. They need to work out a better sponsorship deal with Moosehead maybe.
Museum Pieces – Salesman
“Salesman” is our favourite track from Tyler Messick‘s album Plain Sight, given its combination of a slow rhythm, powerful keys and Messick’s Tom Petty-esque style.
Hillsburn – Young Desire
The Halifax indie rock group won our hearts over with this hymn for crazy, stupid love from their album The Wilder Beyond. Also, the band even released a fresh video for it by Paul Aartze.
Ultrasvede – Fever
Twenty-first century disco can often go one of two ways. We think it absolutely went in ULTRASVEDE‘s favour; who doesn’t love funky, controlled synthwave?
Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire – Microdosing
This year, Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire put together their massive concept album Viens Avec Moi and slow jammed it back to us in a way that sounds like Serge Gainsbourge maintaining a buzz on Chiac.