Thursday, December 20, 2012

Evening Hymns - "You and Jake (live at Jake's Woodshop)"

I won't be releasing my annual Top 20 albums and songs until my good friend and UMFM Station Manager Jared McKetiak and I do our annual countdown show on New Year's Eve. But here's a hint as to what's going to be on the list:

Evening Hymns - You And Jake - Live At Jake's Woodshop from NOW Magazine on Vimeo.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Nightlands - "So Far So Long"

Was a huge fan of Forget The Mantra. Definitely looking forward to Oak Island, particularly after hearing this.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Lady - "Money"

OH HELL YES. It could not be simpler than an act named LADY singing a song called "Money." Truth & Soul putting the truth in soul...

Pillowfight - "Get Your Shit Together"

I'll glady take an admonition to get my shit together when Dan The Automator's involved...

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Mocky - "Little Bird"

My favourite bird song remains this one, but "Little Bird" makes a strong case for consideration.

Criminal Hygiene - "Rearrange Me"

I've always been a fan of good hygiene, but after listening to "Rearrange Me," I'm also a fan of Criminal Hygiene. Full-length, CRMNL HYGNE drops January 15th on Small Smile Records.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Nosaj Thing - "Snap"

No, this has nothing to do with that Snap, but ain't no thing like a Nosaj Thing. Nosaj Thing - Snap by Innovative Leisure

BOX OF WOLVES - "No Kisses"

No need to steal your kisses like Ben Harper. You can just go buy it here.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Yosi Horikawa - Wandering EP

Wandering is an under-appreciated pastime. (FYI... Meant to post this in September, but apparently flaked on hitting the publish button).

Rhye - "The Fall" and "3 Days"

Kudos to the Pro from Dover for putting me on to Rhye. He told me it'd be my jam and he was absolutely right. LOVELY stuff. Rhye by Jennnifer

Friday, November 23, 2012

Ellie Goulding - "My Blood"

I really did not care for her first record, but man, this track from Ellie Goulding's latest, Halcyon, just snuck up on me and grabbed me in the same part of the brain that Florence & The Machine's material does. It's theatrical, big, and a little overwrought, but I'm totally buying in. Ellie Goulding - My Blood by Interscope Records I'm also buying this fan mash-up featuring a Nujabes beat: [Test Mashup 4] Ellie Goulding's "My Blood" (HipHop Version with Nujabes' Beats) by Elena Del Castillo

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

J. Riley Hill - "Fio"

FIO. Not to be confused with FIAT or THEO. J. Riley Hill's self-titled album is front-to-back great, but nothing quite tops this track.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Monday, November 5, 2012

Maylee Todd - "Come Around" Live in Bellwoods

I love everything about this. The song, the performer, the park, the rain, The Humble Empire. LOVE.

Toro Y Moi - "So Many Details" (remix feat Hodgy Beats)

I've never been part of the insanity that Black Friday apparently is (living here in Canada, Boxing Day is our steez) but with this Toro Y Moi 7-in being released on November 23rd, I'm tempted to wade into the madness. So Many Details (Remix featuring Hodgy Beats) by ToroyMoi

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Menagerie - "Leroy & The Lion"

Aussie Lance Ferguson (Lanu / The Bamboos) is the best thing to come out of that country since that great smelling shampoo. His new spiritual jazz project Menagerie features Roy Ayers on the track below. Menagerie - Leroy & The Lion by Tru Thoughts

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Blackbird Blackbird - "It's A War"

Not only is it a war, it's a beast of a song. 7+ minutes of beautiful production, swelling hooks and shimmery guitars. Strong contender for my Top 20 songs of the year for 2012. Blackbird Blackbird – It's a War by Michal Zimola

The Wu-Tang Clan - "Six Directions of Boxing"

New WU? WOOO!

fLako & Dirg Gerner - "Honey Drips"

While my favourite collab between fLako and Dirg is "Lonely Town," this is pretty solid.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Fatima Al Qadiri - "Ghost Raid"

I think a "Ghost Raid" is something Hayao Miyazaki would order if he was POTUS. And it would be weirdly beautiful and devastating. Fatima Al Qadiri - Ghost Raid by FadetoMind

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

My Jerusalem - "Mono"

Typically no one really wants to get mono unless they're looking for an original pressing of Revolver or a lazy form of dieting, but you're going to want to catch this particular "Mono" from My Jerusalem.

Chrome Canyon - Elemental Themes

 Get it while it's hot.


Monday, October 1, 2012

Maestro ft Classified - "Reach For The Sky"

Canadian rap icon Maestro (nee Fresh-Wes) is back, and he's sampling Blue Rodeo. I don't think people would shit-talk CanCon if all CanCon was this tight.


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Frameworks - "Vanish"

I kinda think the release date on their Bandcamp page is a typo... but maybe Manchester electronic act Frameworks really are some future-funk. 2013!!


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Cris Cab - "Paradise (On Earth)"

Not that I wouldn't enjoy getting quizzed for cash in a taxi, but I'll take this new Cris Cab over Cash Cab on a rainy Wednesday.

  Paradise (On Earth) by CRIS CAB



Echo Boom is available as a free download.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Fishing - "Choy Lin"

Is "Choy Lin" some tasty dish I've never tried? The song is pretty delicious.

  FISHING - Choy Lin by forcefieldpr

Little People - "Aldgate Pattern"

 When things open up at the 3:40 mark, you'll thank me for posting this.

  Aldgate Patterns by little people

The Child of Lov - "Rotisserie"

True story. I once worked in a deli and had to spear all those chickens that go in the rotisserie oven - that task was almost as frightening as using the giant-spinning-meat-slicer-of-death. Raw whole chickens are awful. This song is not.

  Rotisserie by The Child of Lov

Monday, September 17, 2012

Julie Doiron - "By The Lake"

As someone fortunate enough to grow up with summers spent at the cottage, I can honestly say nothing beats being by the lake. Maybe Julie Doiron had a cottage growing up too...

  Julie Doiron - By The Lake by killbeat music

Levek - "Girl In The Fog"



  Levek - Girl In The Fog by forcefieldpr

Was gonna post this song Friday, forgot and now there's a full album stream (below). So I guess good things come to those who wait.


 

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Ondatropica - "Los Irreales" mixtape

If you follow this blog, you're already hip to Ondatropica and Soundway. So you'll want to check out this mix.

[Apologies for my absence - September long followed by Orientation Week at the U I work at have been crazy]


Thursday, August 23, 2012

El Perro Del Mar - "Walk On By"

You're probably thinking from the title that this is a cover of that song. It's not. But it's still worth stopping for.

  Walk On By (radio edit) by El Perro Del Mar

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Freelance Whales - "Spitting Image"

And I quote: "ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh." Yup. Sixteen "oohs" in that chorus. As someone who has always been a sucker for horns, handclaps, oohs and ba-ba-bahs, this is a song I can get behind.

  Freelance Whales - Spitting Image by Freelance Whales

YN RichKids - "Hot Cheetos and Takis"

Maybe, if you don't read Grantland, or visit the internet much, you haven't heard this yet. If so, let me be the one to present you with  Y.N.RichKids' ode to snacking "Hot Cheetos and Takis."

"my hands are red like Elmo" has found a place in my favourite rap lines of all time list.


The Men - "Candy"

To borrow from Natalie Merchant; "Candy everybody wants..."

  The Men - Candy by sacredbones

Friday, August 17, 2012

Mount Eerie - "Ocean Roar"

Friends, I have been to the ocean, and the ocean does not roar like this. But it does rule like this.

  Mount Eerie - "Ocean Roar" by forcefieldpr

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Friday, August 10, 2012

Shortcircles - "Take Flight"

I'm about to book it for the weekend, but before I take flight myself, I figured I'd share this delicate gem with everyone...
  2 Take Flight (feat. Tiana Vallan) by shortcircles

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Mock and Toof - "My Head"

This has been running around my head today...

  'My Head' by mockandtoof

Vocals by Ghostape, from the forthcoming album Temporary Happiness.

Chrome Canyon - "Generations"

This feels like it could have been on the soundtrack to the original Tron, or maybe on one of those PBS science programs in the early 80s.

  Chrome Canyon - Generations by Stones Throw Records

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Dum Dum Girls - "Lord Knows"

Lord Knows I loved the Dum Dum Girls last record, Only In Dreams. And after hearing this first new track, I can't wait for the End Of Daze.



 
   
   
   
   
   
 

Alice Russell - "Heartbreaker"

The heartbreak for me was that when I met Alice Russell in person, I discovered my musical crush was just too short for me - but she's head-and-shoulders above the competition when it comes to slaying a vocal like she does here.


Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Evening Hymns - "Family Tree"

I will be writing about the new Evening Hymns album at some point on Ear To The Sound, but for now, check out the first video from the forthcoming record, Spectral Dusk.


Thursday, August 2, 2012

Grizzly Bear - "Yet Again"

If Grizzly Bear keep posting songs from the record one at a time, any readers I have will be uttering the title of this one...

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Land Observations - "Appian Way"

I have no idea what the "Appian Way" actually is, but after listening to this new track inspired by it, I'm willing to adopt it...

  Land Observations - Appian Way by Mute UK

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Hidden Orchestra - "Vorka"

Put on the headphones for this one. There is a lot swirling around in the percussive mix - including a cellist playing the saw.

  Hidden Orchestra - Vorka by Tru Thoughts

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Roseaux - "Walking On The Moon (feat. Aloe Blacc)"

Not surprised to see them posting cuts from Aaron Neville, Bill Withers and Rodriguez on the Roseaux Facebook page. This is a subtly soulful track that falls in line with the output of those three and also with a group I wish more folks knew about: The Pair Extraordinaire. There's a jazz underpinning to the piano while the percussion (bongos?) suggests Greenwich-village Beat poetry and folk coffeehouses. Blacc meanwhile delivers the goods as he always does - the man's voice can soar; no surprise he finds himself walking on the moon.

Daughn Gibson - "Lite Me Up"

Part of me feels like this is being played back at half-speed - the drums chug on while the vocals fall behind. Maybe Gibson already got lit up.

Box of Wolves - "Sunlight"

Look for a full-length examination of the Illusions LP over at Ear To The Sound, but for now, enjoy the first single, "Sunlight."

Maria Minerva - "The Sound"

From her forthcoming record Will Happiness Find Me?, certainly listening to "The Sound" I can say it found me. Maria Minerva, "The Sound" by selftitledmag

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Beth Orton - "Something More Beautiful"

Disappointed to hear her Winnipeg Folk Festival performance was "underwhelming" considering what an amazing show I witnessed at First Avenue a few years back.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Friday, July 6, 2012

Frank Ocean - "Sweet LIFE"

Sunny out, cool brews in the fridge at home, work week is over. Fitting that Frank would drop the "Sweet LIFE" on a Friday afternoon...

  Sweet LIFE by Frank Ocean

Thursday, July 5, 2012

The Primeridian x Tall Black Guy (Darling Lure) - "Hang On"

Just got hip to Tall Black Guy last week when he reached out to me on Twitter. Loving his stuff. He remixed Maylee Todd's "Hieroglyphics" and has some really awesome beats & production on his lonesome on Hollyweird and Hollyweird 2 (amongst a litany of other titles). Dude is super prolific and he's teamed up with Chicago duo The Primeridian as Darling Lure and the trio just dropped the video for "Hang On" from the Darling Lure record.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Border Crossing - "Just An Ode"

I haven't heard Fat Jon the Ample Soul Physician in ages - man did I love 3582's The Living Soul back in 2001. ELEVEN YEARS AGO!


Thursday, June 21, 2012

Stars - "The Theory of Relativity"

Unlike Torquil Campbell (or the song's fictional protagonist), I was not a total devastator back in grade 10. More like total devastation.

  The Theory of Relativity by Stars

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Frank Ocean - "Pyramids"

Something tells me that Frank Ocean would have been capable of stealing Elizabeth Taylor away from Richard Burton on the set of Cleopatra with this epic slow jam.

  Pyramids by Frank Ocean

Friday, June 8, 2012

Dirty Projectors - "Gun Has No Trigger"

Can't wait to hear the rest of Swing Lo Magellan, but what does it say about happiness when the (warm) gun has no trigger?

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Monday, June 4, 2012

OndatrĂ³pica - "Punkero Sonidero"

Apparently Will Holland is trying to release enough new projects / albums this year to completely sweep my year-end Top 20.

  OndatrĂ³pica - Punkero Sonidero by Soundway
Fiona Apple is back. At least she's not singing about vampires...

Friday, June 1, 2012

One of my all-time favourite musical crushes is back. And as good as ever... 



Everything Is Expensive is set to drop soon, so save your allowance to purchase it.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra - "Onze de France"

2007 isn't exactly vintage, but I'll give the Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra a pass on the name if they continue to put out tracks like this.

  Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra by Ubiquity Records

Full-length, Last Odyssey, drops in July on Ubiquity.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Cosmo Jarvis - "Love This"

I may not know how much Cosmo Jarvis "loves this" but I can say that I like it a lot...

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Friday, May 25, 2012

The National - "The Rains of Castamere"

To get you amped for the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones second season, "Blackwater" this Sunday, here's The National, doing a tribute to House Lannister...

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Wintersleep - "Resuscitate"

If anything could bring you back from the brink, this new song from Wintersleep might do the trick. This track has amazing forward momentum.

  Wintersleep - Resuscitate by Wintersleep

The new record, Hello Hum, comes out June 12th on EMI.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Muneshine feat. D-Sisive - "Starter Jacket"

"The clothes make the man / even at 12." For me it was the Nike shirt with THIS on it, rather than a Starter jacket, but I get where Muneshine and D-Sisive are coming from on this ode to when snapbacks weren't vintage, they were just hats. You can pre-order There Is Only Today here.

Monday, May 7, 2012

CocoRosie - "We Are On Fire"

I honestly can't make up my mind on CocoRosie. Brilliant? Annoying? Catchy? Cloying? All I know is I keep listening. CocoRosie - "We Are On Fire" by forcefieldpr

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Chicago Underground Duo - "Castle In Your Heart"

There's a lot going on within this song, but it is also beautiful and beautifully simple.

  Chicago Underground Duo "Castle In Your Heart" from Age of Energy by Northern Spy Records

I'm no doctor, but if you have a castle in your heart, you should really get it looked at. From the album Age Of Energy on Northern Spy Records. One half of the duo is Rob Mazurek who also plays in Sao Paolo Underground (which I've played on my radio show) and Exploding Star Orchestra (a band I've given some love to on the other blog).

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Quantic & Alice Russell - "Here Again"

Honestly, if the previous post didn't convince you to get the Q&A collabo, I don't know what will. But here's a little something more from the pair and the Combo Barbaro.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Devendra Banhart at J.F. Chen's Loft

I don't know who the heck J.F. Chen is, but they've got a nice heron statue and a lovely live set from a less-scraggly-than-I'm-used-to Devendra Banhart

Friday, April 20, 2012

Sophie Madeleine - "Spooky"

If you've never heard Love.Life.Ukulele then you're missing out. If a cover of Dusty Springfield's "Spooky" can't convince you of this, I don't know what will.

Dirty Projectors - You Against The Larger World

Tomorrow is RECORD STORE DAY. I trust that you haven't been living under a rock and know what I'm talking about. The Dirty Projectors contribution to this orgy of vinyl is below.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Fraction & Fresh Kils - "Change"

The extra-prolific Fresh Kils pairs with the hyper-verbose Fraction for a banger.

Fay Hallam & The Bongolian - "Dancing"

Yeah, you'll be doing as the title suggests.



From the forthcoming full-length Lost In Sound.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Cold Specks - "Blank Maps"

With each new Cold Specks track that gets debuted from I Predict A Graceful Expulsion, the more I predict a Cold Specks explosion.

Cold Specks - Blank Maps by Cold Specks

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Los Miticos Del Ritmo - "Otro Muerde El Polvo"

A friend once told me that Tom Petty could shit on a disc and he would still buy it. I kinda feel the same way about Will Holland (aka Quantic). Though he's never taken a dump. Strictly golden.

Los Miticos Del Ritmo - Otro Muerde El Polvo (Another One Bites The Dust) by Soundway

More info on the record here.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Frankie Rose - "Night Swim"

If the Dum Dum Girls and Swervedriver got together and had a baby, she would be Frankie Rose. Frankie Rose and the Outs is wall of sound-gaze.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Jos. Fortin - "So Far" (Live in Peterborough)

I've been sitting on this record since last summer waiting for the finished version to be out there. March Madness is upon us! Jos. Fortin's Typewriter is a stunner.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Fiona Apple - "Valentine"

From the files of "Wishing I had been at SXSW" - entry #922041
Fiona Apple's live set, featuring a handful of new songs.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Box Of Wolves - "Crawl"

A track this synth(etic) shouldn't be as seductive as "Crawl" is.
Alchemical wonders never cease.

Crawl by BOX OF WOLVES

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Hands and Teeth - Southern Souls session

I still rave about the muffins at this place from my last visit to T.O.
Something tells me I'd be talking about Hands & Teeth instead if I'd been there when this happened.



Hunting Season is out and available now.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Dustin Wong - Dreams Say, View, Create, Shadow Leads

Dustin Wong's new album is one continuous, enveloping mindfuck of staggering beauty.


Dustin Wong - Diagonally Talking Echo from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.



Out February 21st on Thrill Jockey.

**QUICK UPDATE - you can get a free download of "Pink Diamond" right here.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Bel-Air - "Technique: Tony Allen"

The best flute cut you've heard since Ron Burgundy dropped the science on Veronica Corningstone.



Afrobeat + Winnipeg should = cognitive disconnect.
Instead it ='s a really good listen.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Hint - "Aliens Enter" feat. T-Fly

T-Fly kinda reminds me of Jean Grae. The beat on "Aliens Enter" kinda reminds me of a drunk calliope monkey. Bangin.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

URBNET Certified Vol. 1

Further to my last post, royceBIRTH is now on URBNET's latest comp, Certified Vol. 1, along with Winnipeg's own Happy Unfortunate and The Lytics. Check it, and buy it.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

royceBIRTH - "When The Music Stops"

First time it's ever happened on my radio show, but I played this original and the Fresh Kils remix back-to-back. It's that fucking good.