The Blue Lane – The Wild
The Blue Lane were introduced to us this years as a bluesy expedition into colour-coded landscapes. We might get lost in them from time to time, but we appreciate the change in scenery.
Stonehouse – What’s Going On
Not to be confused with 4 Non Blondes, but pulling from the same decade, Stonehouse is the mid-nineties rock we’ve been missing for the last twenty years. Has anyone even checked on Eddie Vedder lately?
Sorrey – Go Get Ahead
The band’s namesake, Emily Sorrey explains that “Go Get Ahead” as being “omgIcan’tbelieveI’mabouttosaythis – YOLO in their theme.” Take that as you will.
The Crossroad Devils – The Jackpot
Close enough still counts when it comes to grenades and rock and roll. The Crossroad Devils might not hit “The Jackpot” dead center, but it’s close enough to give us flashbacks of the 70s.
The Follow Ups – No Remedy
Amidst all the “oohs” and “aahs” The Follow Ups tell us that “No Remedy,” at its core, is all about mental health, which is a change up from their usual subject matter of girls and heartbreak.
Ryan MacGrath – Scorpion
Ryan MacGrath may or may not have written about an experience he had in Southern France when he discovered a scorpion in the dark of his bedroom late one night. Or it may be about rough sex and one night stands. We will never know.
Bleum – Lose You
Electronica duo Daniel James and Brittany McQuinn debuted as Bleum this year with “Lose You,” their first track following a 30-track project McQuinn was working on as a solo artist with James as producer. Their first release was a low-key electronica dance song about a breakup, of all things.
Pat LePoidevin – Saturn
Pat LePoidevin’s Captain Myles & The SPR would have one the award for Best Concept Album of the Year, if we had any such award. Engaging and catchy, the album should be experienced as a whole, but we’re content to take what singles we get.
Thomas Stajcer – Sad Cowboy
When Thomas Stajcer, arguably one of Atlantic Canada’s most highly regarded and sought after producers, puts out a classic country album and we’re ready to convert.
Tachichi – Everything
Tachichi partners with beat producer Sean One of Fredericton to catch us up on everything he and his Sipset crew have been up to since Chico’s 90s Project.
Rick Sparkes + The Enablers – Nashwaak
Rick Sparkes relates the tale of his grandparents falling in love in rural New Brunswick along the Nashwaak River, but we already love it here.
Sleepless Nights – Pink Popcorn
Sleepless Nights get politically correct about their lyrics on “Pink Popcorn.”
Christina Martin – Impossible To Hold
Christina Martin’s “Impossible To Hold” blends The Tragically Hip’s “It’s a Good Life if You Don’t Weaken” with Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game.”
Get Well Pharmacy – Story of a House Fire
If we went based on readership numbers alone Get Well Pharmacy might top the list. The album review was one of the most read this year. The Prince Edward Island nearly screams John Mayer (as much as John Mayer would) as they lament a relationship gone south.
Rachel Beck – Reckless Heart
Rachel Beck’s “Reckless Heart” not only topped CBC’s charts this year but also appeared on the current television iteration of Anne of Green Gables, Anne with an E.
CHIPS – Modern Days
CHIPS was one of the first indicators we saw for 2018 as a big year for punk rock. Their first release since 2016’s Dingers, “Modern Days” has been just enough to tide us over as a standalone single.
Cameron Nickerson – Gettin’ out of Dodge
From Cameron Nickerson’s Detours album comes the appropriately titled “Gettin’ Out of Dodge,” a song inspired by a phone call with Nickerson’s father about smartening up and bootstrapping himself out of depression.
Bend the River – Through The Long Night
The title track from one of the more fascinating albums on this list, “Through the Long Night” has Ronok Sarkar working with producer Joel Plaskett to build up to crescendo reminiscent of The Band.
Tomato/Tomato – Gotta Get Up
2018 spurred more than a few protest songs, and even Tomato/Tomato, that cheeriest of duos, didn’t manage to escape unscathed. “Gotta Get Up” is the band offering the world a stern scolding.
Little Cities – Girl Next Door
Prince Edward Island’s pop punk scene is thriving. Little Cities probably makes this list more than a few times, but we’re entirely prepared to fuel the music industry on our nostalgia.
Hillsburn – Young Desire
The award-winning Hillsburn are probably one of the busiest bands on the east coast at this point. “Young Desire” is a dreamy anthem for all the things that seem tragic and insurmountable in our youth.
Spirit of the Wildfire – Tell Me What You’re Wearing
Spirit of the Wildfire was one of the many strong offerings of pop punk being far from dead in Atlantic Canada. “Tell Me What You’re Wear,” is a fine example of glorious nonsense that went through our heads as seventeen year-olds.
Jenni & The Hummingbird – A Dark Horse
Jenni & The Hummingbird’s “A Dark Horse” is like The Beatle’s “Penny Lane” on a rainy day.
Smaller Hearts – Summertime III
Smaller Hearts is the east coast’s answer to The Postal Service. “Summertime III” is just one sample of their dancy little synth numbers.
Force Fields – Erase Dwarf
The elusive Force Fields is the younger misunderstood brother to The Olympic Symphonium. We can’t say that we understand “Erase Dwarf,” only that we’ve come to appreciate it.