Braden Lam – Maya
Do we have too much Braden Lam on here? Probably not. “Maya” is a cross between The Faces and Jack Johnson.
Calm Baretta – Slack Royalty
Prince Edward Island’s power-pop engine Calm Baretta lure you into a world of dreamy decadence.
Good Badger – Galaxy Trio
Alex Good might as well have given us an alternative soundtrack to Stranger Things with “Galaxy Trio.”
Construction & Destruction/Steven Lambke – At the Start of the Song
Surprise studio time between three of the east coast best song-writers years strange results with this collaboration between Construction & Destruction and The Constantines‘ Steven Lambke.
Bleum – Visit
Fredericton-based power-pop duo Bleum get into it with this slick post-break up take-down.
Designosaur – Runaway
Designosaur’s “Runaway” is probably the most fun you can have with the simplest chorus.
Tomato/Tomato – Take It On The Road
From Tomato/Tomato‘s upcoming album, “Take It On The Road” is a song about what they do best.
The Stanfields – Desperation
The Stanfields almost deserve their own category as this point. Post-apocalyptic Celtic rock?
Cyrus R.O. – Black Sheep
Imagine if Britpop wonders The Kooks had been born in Atlantic Canada, you’d get Cyrus R.O..
The Muddle – Invincible
Jeff Hennessy’s “Invincible” is a sugary sweet pop piece with a rhythm section that might have been supplied by the Energizer Bunny.
Sleepless Nights – Kids on Drugs
A.A. Wallace barrels head first through this fun little number about the hope of the future being grounded in synths and guitars.
The Blue Lane – Penny Jenson
The Blue Lane combine some of Hendrix’s jazzier influences with the lyrics delivered in the rapid fire style of the Buzzcocks.
Ryan Cook – Cult of my Own
Ryan Cook created a lifestyle from touring and living the #VanLife, but he came to learn it had some dark secrets…
Christine Campbell – Butterfly
Christine Campbell’s “Butterfly” fell into the 90s trap, complete with a video that probably would have made The Tea Party very proud.
Hillsburn – Sun Ought To Shine
We may have over-indulged on Hillsburn this year. Their sophomore album The Wilder Beyond successfully avoided the nefarious slump, and we gorged our ears on it. Otherwise we would have ranked this track hire. Our bad.
Mike T. Kerr – The Letter You Wrote
One of the most lauded and widely anticipated albums of the year, Mike T. Kerr‘s music is only outshone by the amazing cross-stitch of his album art.
Brandon Voyeur – IIV
Brandon Voyeur set off on “IIV” with the full encompassing design of performance artist. It is as much theatre as it is music. We’re looking forward to seeing where this journey takes him next.
Social Smokers Club – Speak in the Dark
2018 has been, among other things, a strong 90s revival. In keeping with that, the Social Smokers Club’s “Speak into the Dark” fits in among the likes of Pearl Jam, Bush and more. As the first song they ever wrote as a band, it demonstrates a direction we feel the band should keep with.
Taylor Ackerman – Never Ever
As the first single off his album Taylor Ackerman’s Global Acid Reset you might quickly assume the track is nothing more than a noisy rock off, but as Ackerman explains the song is about the self and society, and their relationships, in particularly Ackerman’s journey as a new parent.
The Galpines – Dog > Baby
Who needs the responsibilities of a whole other human being, when dogs are already guaranteed to be your best friend? The Galpines aren’t prepared for any level of commitment greater than a game of fetch.
Braden Lam – Halifax Girl
Braden Lam’s short-but-sweet Halifax girl came as a teaser for his Driftwood People album, which he released in September. His gentle percussion and drifting string arrangements pull us into the emotions he feels for a certain east coast girl.
Cassie Josephine – Dear Cassie
Cassie Josephine’s “Dear Cassie” allows listeners to get to know her on a personal level as she gives an account of her life in detail, wrapped in a beautiful melody.
Joyful Noise – Bertha
“Bertha,” off the debut EP of Fredericton’s Joyful Noise, takes listeners deep into funky instrumental sounds that show off the range of their skills.
Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire – Microdosing
Off their massive concept album, Viens avec moi, Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire’s “Microdosing” takes us on a groovy, chiac-laden trip.
The Summer Rabbit – Gottingen Street, 1979
As their first single after two years, The Summer Rabbit’s “Gottingen Street 1979” comes in the form of a fictitious murder mystery and hits listeners with a hard rock edge.