Jessy Lanza – “Keep Moving” [Listen]
Keep moving
Looking straight ahead
Not thinking of the consequence
Jessy Lanza has just produced easily one of the best local albums of the year with Pull My Hair Back. The Album Release party was held in September at This Ain’t Hollywood where she played the whole album to a captivated audience. The album is a collaborative effort with Jeremy Greenspan of Junior Boys and every track stands out on its own. Beyond the local scene, it’s getting her noticed. Jessy is about to venture to Europe for a string of shows over the next couple of months. She’s doing us proud!
Lorde – “Tennis Court” [Listen]
Because I’m doing this for the thrill of it
Killin’ it
Every night chasing a million things I want
New Zealander Lorde has made waves with “Royals” and her debut album Pure Heroine completely delivers on the hype of that massive single. I already know it will be one of my most played albums this month; it’s perfectly suited to the autumn season. If this is what she has created at 16, she has a promising career ahead.
PUP – “Reservoir” [Listen]
My lungs are killing me
I didn’t even get high
PUP are killing it! Their stellar self-titled album was released this month on Hollerado’s label Royal Mountain and I can’t get enough of this first single. I always look forward to their live show – this month they opened for Hollerado at Casbah (and were also on confetti duty). Catch a cameo by Kyle of The Dirty Nil in the video for this one.
The Great Machine – “Naughty Nancy” [Listen]
Well have you ever heard of
Naughty Nancy
This brand new track from one of my local favourites appears on the compilation Everything’s Alright Forever Vol. 2, curated by the good people over at Exhale. After catching Great Machine recently during Supercrawl at The Baltimore House and hearing some new tunes, I’m really excited for their new material.
Half Moon Run – “Call Me in the Afternoon” [Listen]
You can have it if you don’t mind some or all the others stay with me
You confuse me with your riddles and your sudden generosity
I discovered this Montreal band when they opened for Billy Talent alongside July Talk at the Molson Canadian Studio in September. It was an awesome show and I love coming away from a show having connected with a new band. They’re on my radar as ones to watch.
Kojo Damptey ft. Sara London – “Chasing the Felon” [Listen]
Now you put a barrier in
Don’t know what you see
Don’t know what you hear
Don’t know what you feel
Kojo “Easy” Damptey just released his debut album Daylight Robbery this month. He describes the album as “a soulful record that speaks to the many stories people face around the world. Stories of violence, race, injustice, hope and love.” Kojo will celebrate with an Album Release this Friday, October 11th at This Ain’t Hollywood. Sure to be a fantastic show, the event also features Canadian Winter, Mother Tareka, and Sara London, who is featured on the first single.
Chvrches – “We Sink” [Listen]
We are
Gonna fall if you lead us
Nowhere
Scottish trio Chvrches just released their debut album The Bones Of What You Believe. Their synthpop sounds and Lauren Mayberry’s delicate vocals are providing a nice addition to my autumn tunes.
TV Freaks – “Rewind” [Listen]
Everything I do
I do for you
Hamilton’s TV Freaks just released their sophomore album Two on local label Schizophrenic Records. In comparison to their debut, Two is described as “venturing into more refined and sonically complex territory. The songs are concise, demented, frenzied with repetition and just elaborate enough to stick.” Undoubtedly, the new songs translate into a ferocious live show; I look forward to catching them again. As a bonus – check out their cover of Viletones’ “Screaming Fist” for NOW Magazine.
The Bandicoots – “I Need A Plan” [Listen]
I want
I think I want a new life
I first encountered The Bandicoots when they opened for Dawn and Marra at The Casbah for the duo’s Album Release in August, which was one of my favourite shows of the summer. Along with original music, they have a fun repertoire of covers, including Arkells and Arctic Monkeys. They put out an album this summer, recorded live off the floor at Club Absinthe. Their debut album is on the way, lead by this first single.
Scott Orr – “Slow Down” [Listen]
Where are you going
Moving too fast
I’ll always follow
Nothing will last
Hamilton singer-songwriter Scott Orr just released his new album A Long Life on local independent label Other Songs Music Co.. It’s a beautiful album and the lead single is accompanied by a very creative stop-motion video. There’s even a nice little cameo by Spence Newell of New Hands on another standout track, “I Will.” Catch Scott perform with a full band this Friday, October 11th during Art Crawl at Dr. Disc’s “Raise the Roof” show (which I Heart Hamilton is co-presenting!).
Basia Bulat – “It Can’t Be You” [Listen]
I was practicing what I had left to say
But I can’t say it now
No I never thought that you would have the nerve to go and shoot me down
It’s fitting that Basia’s new album Tall Tall Shadow was released this fall. It was a year ago that I was treated to her gorgeous performance with Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, which I attended with McMaster Alumni. Many of the songs off this album were introduced to the audience at the show. I was floored by this song, and still am. Hearing it live was so honest and moving.
Give the Playlist a spin right now on 8tracks!
– Kristin
