It’s a long weekend Canada. Whether you call it Family Day (Alberta, BC, New Brunswick, Ontario), Island Day (PEI), Heritage Day (Nova Scotia), or Louis Riel Day (Manitoba), New Music Friday has you covered with some extra tunes.
Singles
1. AWOLNATION, Barbarian (Unplugged Live) (Better Noise Music)
Aaron Bruno and his crew is offering an acoustic twist on this song from The Phantom Five album ahead of a North American tour. I quote Bruno: “I’ve always loved the idea of reinterpreting songs and exploring them in different ways. The acoustic version of Barbarian brings a different kind of vulnerability to the forefront, and I’m really excited for fans to hear this new rendition alongside the original. It’s a unique way to experience the song from two very different angles.” There’s also a new AWOLNATION podcast called Totally Committed.
2. Cleopatrick, Bad Guy (Thirty Tigers)
The duo from Cobourg, Ontario, has just released the third advance single from their send album, Fake Moon, which is ready for release on March 14. If you’re looking for a song that dives into guilt, this might be for you. According to the band, it was “recorded, produced, and mixed on a Nintendo GameCube.” What does that mean? Have a listen.
3. PUP, Hallways (Little Dipper/Rise Records)
A new album from Toronto’s PUP is always welcome. Their fourth album, Who Will Look After the Dogs?, will be released May 4. The last recorded garnered all kinds of critical praise from around the world, so anticipation for this record is high.
Mark Pritchard and Thom Yorke, Back in the Game (Independent)
Mark Pritchard asked Thom Yorke if he might be interesting on collaborating on another record, something they’ve done a couple of times since 2016. Thom’s voice has been funneled through a H910 Harmonizer, given him an interesting sound.
Albums
1. Art d’Ecco, Serene Demon (Paper Bag)
I think Vancouver’s Art d’Ecco is one of the country right now. His fifth album was co-produced by Joe Chiccarelli, who hass wored with Morrissey, The Strokes, Alanis Morissette, The White Stripes, U2, Beck, and a ton of others. The video for this single seems to be right out of Severance.
2. Horsegirl, Phonetics On and On (Matador)
Horsegirl (est. NYC) is part Breeders, part Sonic Youth, part Stereolab. Their second album was recorded at Wilco’s studio in Chicago. It’s an all-woman affair, right down to producer Cate Le Bon. Highly recommended.
3. Lacuna Coil, Sleepless Empire (Century Media)
While Italy has a lot of metal bands, the biggest and longest-lasting is probably Lacuna Coil. This is their 10th album and first in five years. Randy Blythe of Lamb of God is one of the guest producers.
4. The Lumineers, Automatic (Dualtone)
Now up to their fifth album, Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites have sold more than a million albums in Canada along with eight Top 10 singles in the country. Canadian dates will be announced soon as part of an international tour. The last time they went on the road, they sold 1.1 million tickets.
5. Manic Street Preachers, Critical Thinking (Columbia UK)
This is their 15th album and, if you want my opinion, one of their best. Nicky Wire is on lead vocals for the first time. As The NME says, “He’s as mad as hell and isn’t going to take it anymore.” Good. It’s what the world needs now.
6. The Wombats, Oh! The Ocean (AWAL Recordings)
This English indie band with a love for cuddly-looking Australian marsupials (their poops are square; did you know that?) are now up to their sixth album. This single perfectly encasuplates how introverts face the horror of going to a party.
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