On their sophomore album, St. John’s sweethearts and rap vets, ChessClub have bolstered their sound and dived deeper into the vaults of their lyrical exploration. Combining stellar production that trills with arpeggiated synth notes and drips and pops with glistening sound textures and ambient vibes, These Flowers Are For You weaves a masterful sonic tapestry of modern hip-hop. Continue reading New Music: ChessClub Pushes To The Forefront Of Modern Hip-Hop With ‘These Flowers Are For You’
All posts by Ben Dickey
New Music: Harley Alexander Meditates On The Culture Of Assault And Harassment With ‘Spill Kid’
In the last year there has been a momentous transformation in the public understanding of sexual assault and trauma. Thanks in large part to the increasing number of courageous individuals coming forward, we see now, clearer than ever, the deep structural prejudices and long practiced abuse of power that have helped enable a maddeningly prevalent culture of assault and harassment. Harley Alexander’s latest release is a meditation on these themes.
New Music: Julie Aubé’s ‘Joie de vivre’ Is An Ode To Acadian Culture
Julie Aubé’s ‘Joie de vivre’ is not just force of soul and psychedelia, it’s an ode to Acadian Culture. Imagine a meeting between Alabama Shakes and Janis Joplin, except sung in the signature twang of Acadian French, ornamented with the kaleidoscopic jangle of early Francois Hardy and finally, caked in a layer of constant guitar propulsion. Picture this and you have a fairly good image of New Brunswicker Julie Aubé’s latest solo project. Continue reading New Music: Julie Aubé’s ‘Joie de vivre’ Is An Ode To Acadian Culture
New Music: Steve Haley Channels Neil Young In ‘Heat Vision’
Steve Haley’s Heat Vision is a group effort and a pure example of the confluence of camaraderie and musicianship. Part musical ode to the confabulations of apocalyptic fantasy, to the portent of dreams and to wild imagination, it reads like a bittersweet map of friendship, loss and the end of the world. Assembled from the parts of a small and vibrant music scene, in many senses the album is also an ode to place and space. It becomes easy to picture how the marshlands and mudflats of Sackville N.B., whose unbroken and foggy symmetries impart both a surreal sense of isolation and togetherness and of centrality and terminus could have helped to inspire the morphing and hypnagogic lyrics that flow through Heat Vision like a waking dream. Continue reading New Music: Steve Haley Channels Neil Young In ‘Heat Vision’
New Music: Brent Mason’s ‘High Water Mark’ Might Be His Best And Most Controversial Album
The painterly and textural artwork of Brent Mason’s new album High Water Mark looks like it could be the cover of a modal jazz re-release or the opening image to the latest cello suites by Yo-Yo Ma. However, it is inarguably a grassroots work of Maritime folk. The elegant and abstract wash of deep blues and greens sets the emotional queue for the album and the colour and feel of the music itself. It is a laid back and mellowed effort that genre hops with a gentle effortlessness, subtly bridging east coast fiddle music, country, bluegrass, rock, blues and, of course, folk sensibilities. Moving between upbeat head-shakers, ballads and slow-movers with ease, the tracks flow in and out between themselves almost seamlessly. It is clearly the thoughtful and intentional work of a musician who has matured in their efforts. With ten albums behind Brent Mason, one would hope to find nothing less. Continue reading New Music: Brent Mason’s ‘High Water Mark’ Might Be His Best And Most Controversial Album