Let’s just not talk about the state of the world in 2019. We can safely assume it’s burning. Neil Young had something to stay about that, but probably not in this context. Rather, let’s focus on the music that’s being created despite it.
Through careful research and data collection, our team at The East have been able to scientifically catalogue, dissect, and distill every tasty little earful to arrive at this: our list for The Best Music of 2019 (so far).
Corey Isenor – Teenage Blues
Ever feel a deep nostalgia for your teenage years? Corey Isenor touches on that feeling and how teenhood was not actually all that great anyway in “Teenage Blues.”
Maztradamus – Strange Birds
“Strange Birds” is a mix of beatboxing and vocalizations that have been filtered through the thickest of synthetic muds, and a tin can. But in a good way.
Pretty Archie – Stay the Same
Pretty Archie take an outlaw musician approach to life on the road and recognize that we’ve all got a shelf life.
Bridget & Dahlia – Hide
Crystalline harmonies are at the core of this track from Newfoundland’s Bridget & Dahlia as they return to the bones of classic folk.
Sound Drown – Radio Song
Sound Drown’s “Radio Song” is about making a connection with an audience who are increasingly dependant on a digital market. You’re welcome.
Smaller Hearts – Circuitry
Smaller Hearts reflect on the patterns we each fall into in our lives, and then use fancy computers and wordplay to throw it back at us.
Daughter of the Moon – Casanova
Revisiting the likes of Cher and Nancy Sinatra, Daughter of the Moon similarly finds herself in another disappointing relationship.
Rain Over St. Ambrose – Dedication
Rain Over St. Ambrose recorded with Thomas Stajcer for this ambiguous, Dire Straits-inspired hit.
Valerie – Twin Flames
With a beat that’s reminiscent of Deerhunter’s “Desire Lines,” Valerie’s Palmer Jamieson describes the song as being about two halves of a lost soul seeking to reunite.
Jon Samuel – Jonny Panic And The Bible Of Dreams
Jon Samuel‘s ode to Sylvia Plath takes a far dancier turn than you might expect.
Paper Lions – Rhythm & Gold
Paper Lions’ “Rhythm & Gold” is all romance and adventure. The band even had to travel to another continent to come up with this one.
Wintersleep – Into The Shape of Your Heart
Possibly Wintersleep’s catchiest track from In The Land Of… it’s almost dangerously so, but we’re content to belt out that chorus with them.
Tomato/Tomato – Kite Song
Recorded in Nashville, this has Tomato/Tomato‘s habitual adorableness writ large, while they flesh out their sound with banjo and a horn section.
Villages – Maggie of the Cove
We can safely lean into the cliche of referring to “Maggie of the Cove” as “haunting.” The lilt on this toe-tapper will have you dancing at a slant, all while wondering who this Maggie is.
bleu – yurt
bleu places listeners squarely in the headspace of being caught up in an intimate yet potentially fleeting connection in this upbeat and gentle track.
Còig – Uncle Leo’s Jig’s
We don’t know who Uncle Leo was, but he sounds lively. Còig keep things exciting with this traditional jig.
Beauts – The City Loves Me
Beauts sound pretty confident about their place in the world. Or at least within their own municipality.
The Drug Rugs – Sandbar
The Drug Rugs get reminiscent of Joy Division while singing about someone who under-delivers.
Don Brownrigg – Bad Timing
Brownrigg sings of the trouble with breaking up with someone who does not want to let go, and brings the cycle of his relationship full circle.
Kids Losing Sleep – Maybe You’re Right
Halifax’s Kids Losing Sleep jump in with both feet on”Maybe You’re Right,” an emo punk track that’s straightforward in its lyrics about dwelling on a relationship.