We’re already halfway through September, and people are bored with pumpkin spice lattes. Meanwhile, the guy on my street who never bothered to take off his snow tires over the summer is looking kinda smug. Meanwhile, the Five Songs You Must Hear list is 100% fresh.
1. grandson, Autonomous Delivery Robot
Inertia (XX Records)
Recommended If You Like: Being worried about state surveillance
I’ve always been impressed by the talent and ambition of grandson (aka Toronto’s Jordan Benjamin—and yes, he wants us to spell is name with a lower case “g.”)For this song, the first from his just-released album, goes after increased surveillance and the threat of AI. The rest of the record touches on other raw nerves.
2. bar italia, Fundraiser
Some Like It Hot (Matador)
RIYL: Lower case bands
London UK’s bar italia (yes, in lower case) is on track to release five albums in five years. The fifth, due next month, is said to be a nice mix of rock, indie, ballads, and folk.
3. Deftones, Infinite Source
Private Music (Warner)
RIYL: Unrelenting layers of heaviness
The last few months have been Deftones-heavy, with a big tour and plenty of airplay for tracks from their tenth album. It’s nice to see an intense band do so well (hey, this kind of stuff is definitely my jam) after a hiatus of five years. This might be one of the more accessible tracks on the album and a great place for newbies to start.
4. Sierra Pilot, Zeroed
Single (Independent)
RIYL: Up-and-coming Canadian rockers
I’ve been watching this band from Kitchener for the past couple of years. Are they on the verge of a big breakthough like we once saw with bands like The Sheepdogs and Glorious Sons? I think so. Their singles have been consistently good, plus they’ve had opening slots with bands like Pop Evil and Bad Wolves. Get on board now.
5. Westside Cowboy, Drunk Surfer
This Better Be Something Great EP (Hit or Heist)
RIYL: Whatever they’re doing in Manchester
This four-piece band describes what they do as “Britainicana”—which is…what, exactly? Maybe it’s what happens if you take the stylings of Wilco or The National and rock it up British style. Or it could be a UK take on groups like Pavement or perhaps Guided By Voices. Whatever, the case, this band began by performing Hank Williams and Bob Dylan covers, eventually working their way up to winning Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent contest. Interested.
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