I love the Friday of the May long weekend. It’s the unofficial beginning of summer and a time to anticipate the potential of the next few months. This New Music Friday offers some suggestions to kick things off.
Singles
1. Billy Talent, M&M (Warner)
Before there was a Billy Talent, there was a group called Pezz. But then the candy people came calling, complaining that they had rights to that word. So rather than a small, broke Mississauga band fighting Big Candy, they changed their name to Billy Talent, altering the spelling of a character’s name in the movie Hard Core Logo. The one-and-only Pezz album has been available for some time, but a newly remastered version is about to be released. M&M is the official single.
2. Boston Levi, Pretty Little Heartbreak (Frontside/Known Accomplice/745 Music)
Here’s a four-piece arena-rock-ready band from Ottawa who also incorporates bits of country and pop into their sound. This single was co-written by Jay Emmons of Glorious Sons (someone they’ve toured with) and will be part of an upcoming EP. Tour dates start later this month.
3. Halcyon Loop, Snorkel (Independent)
Coming out of Edmonton, we have another four-piece that has been together since the spring of 2022. There’s fuzzy mid-90s alt-rock feel to this single, although I can’t help hearing a pit of Tom Petty in the vocals.
4. Sam Morton, Double Dip Neon (XL Recordings)
Not a strictly a person but actually the duo of actor/director Samantha Morton and producer/songwriter Richard Russell who explore some interesting electronic sounds. A debut album entitled Daffodils & Dirt will arrive June 14. You’ll need a good subwoofer for this one.
Albums
1. Arkells, Disco Loadout Vol. 1 (Independent)
Arkells have always loved covers (and if you’ve ever seen them live, you can back me up on this.) There was even a 7-inch single back in 2014 entitled Arkells Sing Motown. They’ve now assembled some of their favourite goofy pop covers from the past in what appears to be the first of a number of collections. This one includes material by Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, ABBA, Dolly Parton, Peter Gabriel, and more. Sounds like a fun campfire album.
2. Beth Gibbons, Lives Outgrown (Domino)
This is the first solo outing from the singer of Portishead and it’s everything (I think) fans want from Beth. Yes, it’s long overdue (16 years after the last Portishead and just 11 years after she announced that she was doing a solo record), but it was worth the wait. The album is filled with amazing soundscapes and sonic textures that promise to deliver to new things each time you listen to it. Astonishing stuff.
3. Billie Eilish, Hit Me Hard and Soft (Darkroom/Interscope)
It’s her third album and given all the attention she’s received over the last few years, the pressure to deliver continues. There are no singles from the album with Billy demanding that everything be released all at once so the people can choose their favourites. (Radio programmers: “Gee, thanks.”) Maybe the best thing that we can do with this one is drop into the listening party.
4. Cage the Elephant, Neon Pill (RCA)
They’re up to six albums now with this one being born out of some personal strife (singer Matt and his brother, guitarist Brad lost their father; Matt was arrested on firearms charges; a bad reaction to some medication; rehab; spousal split and reconciliation; and two friends died in quick succession) leading to plenty of melancholy nights. The band also says that for the first time, they felt free to make a record without having to rely on the influences which originally shaped the band.
5. Shellac, To All Trains (Touch and Go)
The music world is still reeling from the sudden death of Steve Albini, the recorder (he hated the term “producer”) behind dozens and dozens of alt-rock album both big (Nirvana, Pixies, PJ Harvey) and small (too many to mention). He died of a heart attack at his Chicago studio as he was preparing for the release of this album by his current band. It is Shellac’s sixth (and final) studio album and first since 2014. Dammit.
6. William Shatner, Where Will the Animals Sleep? Songs for Kids and Other Living Things (Cleopatra)
Captain Kirk has released a children’s album? Yes. It’s a storytelling record done in conjuction with Dan Miller, the longtime guitarist for They Might Be Giants. This might be one for the kids on those long summer car rides.
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