Lydia Persaud - "More Of Me"

Lydia Persaud, a Toronto artist who blends folk, jazz and soul, is set to release her album Let Me Show You via Outside Music's new imprint, Next Door Records.

She's one of only two acts on the roster right now, but it's easy to figure out why she is one of their lead-off hitters. An advance copy of the album landed at UMFM this morning and I was digging it on first pass. But then I got to the third track on the record and I went from digging it to digging my own grave because "More of Me" killed me.

I have listened to this track on repeat 5 times over already and the impact never lessens. The insistent groove of that guitar line (courtesy of Dean Drouillard) draws you right in and then Persaud's devastating vocals knock you right out. This is some rope-a-dope music right here. Plus there's a FLUTE LINE accenting the climb her vocals make as she sings "I can't let you take more of me."

Is this a break-up song? Persaud concludes "all I ever do is leave" so she could be singing about all her past relationships, but if there's one particular person this song is about I have some sympathy for them because this is a devastating send-off.

Damon Locks - Black Monument Ensemble - "The Colors That You Bring"

I'll be playing another selection on my show tomorrow night, but right now "The Colors That You Bring" is the only track from Where Future Unfolds available for streaming.

BUT OH WHAT A SONG.

It's a great entry-point to the expansive music that Damon Locks - Black Monument Ensemble craft. And I do mean 'craft' - there's an attention to detail, but also a hand-hewn quality to this spiritual-jazz record that is infused with the spirit of its creators. Sometimes - as on "The Future?" - it can feel a little sloppy, but at other points it simply hums with the collective energy and talent that sound & visual artist Damon Locks and collaborators including Angel Bat Dawid (who is a force on her own record) among others.

 The full-length drops May 31st on the always reliable International Anthem.

White Denim - "NY Money"

I love it when a rock track has the room to stretch out and breathe. "NY Money" from the new White Denim album Side Effects does just that. Clocking in at nearly seven minutes, this one creates an atmosphere and while drummer Joshua Block's work is insistent and pushes forward, there's space for Austin Jenkins to just dance all over past the 4-minute mark.

The Mandatory Eight - "Turn It Out"

No shade against the A-side, "Soul Fanfare #3" but this is one of those instances where the flip-side is even hotter than the ostensible single. Leeds UK's The Mandatory Eight may draw inspiration from classic backing-bands like the Bar-Kays, but they deserve a spot at centre-stage. This 7" comes out on ATA Records, a label that should be familiar to RR readers.

Alex Lahey - "Am I Doing It Right?"

Yes. Yes, Alex, you are doing it right. Best of Luck Club comes out May 17th on Dead Oceans