For an industry under siege, Atlantic Canada’s musicians seem to have turned out a more than respectable effort this year. You’ve already heard from our reviewers on who we felt knock it out of the park over the course of 2020. Now, as per tradition, we’ve asked some of our favourite musicians who their favourites were. Here’s what the pros had to say.
Nap Eyes – “If You Were in Prison”
Nap Eyes have been a mainstay in my listening over the last five years. Nigel Chapman captures his internal monologue like no one else and Brad Loughead’s guitar work has become god-level over the past few years. They are truly a special band.
Their latest record, Snapshot of a Beginner, is their best and easily one of my most-played records of 2020. Songs like the Zelda-referencing “Dark Link” and the meditative opener “So Tired” will be forever linked to this wild year.
However, the song that I’ve found myself thinking about the most is a 2-minute blast of chugging shoegaze called “If You Were in Prison.” Throughout, Chapman repeats the refrain over and over, asking “what would that make you feel like if you couldn’t do the things that you like to do anymore?”. Nigel, I think we have an answer. (Travis Ellis, Villages)
Nap Eyes | WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Rich Aucoin – “Reset”
Reset will be the song I hear in 10 years and 2020 will come flooding back to me in a wave of resentful nostalgia. This song perfectly invokes the collective effervescence we’ve all been either missing while stuck in our homes and/or experiencing as we go out to take a stand or fight for change. Get out your sharpies and bristol board: this is the anthem we needed to get us off our asses, the drumbeat we need to march to, and the reminder that if we all yell ‘reset’ people will hear us. (Kim Carson, Like A Motorcycle)
Rich Aucoin | WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Mo Kenney – “Game of Pricks”
Gosh, there were so many great releases this year from all over the East Coast, but I think this Guided By Voices cover was a bit under-appreciated and deserves a shoutout. I’ve seen Mo cover this song with their band in its’ power-pop glory, all jangly guitars, raucous drumming, and fuzzy solos. But Mo’s knack for arranging and re-arranging is an inspiration. On this version, it sounds like Mo is softly, darkly singing while a cat gingerly tiptoes across the piano. It’s a total left-field decision that really amps up the paranoid aspect of the song, when anyone would be happy with a poppier, standard-fare acoustic guitar take straight from a songwriter’s circle. And for that, I think Mo wins this game. (Matt Steele, Matt Steele & The Corvet Sunset)
Mo Kenney | WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Justyn Thyme – “Never Be Lonely”
This was a song that got leaked a little early to the Charlottetown music scene, so when the time came for the official release, we were already singing along. I recall Justyn performing it at a campfire in Savage Harbour one magical summer’s eve. When he sang, it was as though he was a musical shaman taking us on a collective journey of the heart. The chorus is super catchy while the verses take a silly, whimsical approach as they describe a heartbreak. It’s become my song of the summer and one of the best of the year for sure! (Lawrence Maxwell)
Justyn Thyme: FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
NightTimer – “ROACHETS”
NightTimer released this album back in August. I didn’t see a whole lot of buzz about it but it checks all my math/post-rock boxes and I hope these boys get some more credit for the beautiful music they are writing.
The track “ROACHETS” opens with one of my favourite stand-alone riffs from the release and hits home when the beat comes in. For anyone that is already familiar with Maritime staples Force Fields, I think this track would be a great entry into NightTimer. (Matthew Schwartz, Plural)
NightTimer | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER
Like A Motorcycle – “Wide Awake”
Like A Motorcycle have been a standout live act for a while now since we’ve gotten to share lots of bills over the years thanks to the community of Nova Scotia music-making eclectic showcases. I first fell in love with their music watching them shred; I’m always a sucker for anyone who can shred drums and vocals at the same time too.
Dead Broke is my favourite body of their work to date. Such a well-polished album with kinetic energy just pouring out from your speakers upon playing. Its artwork is also a similar great idea that’s been perfectly executed. “Wide Awake” is their magnum opus starting with a pulse of tight guitars and then the fevered eighth-note drive starts 14 seconds in and doesn’t let up. The stereo image of the guitars and vocals wraps around you as it builds… the push at 51 seconds just has you full driving with them and the gangs at the minute mark make you feel in the middle of an urgent mosh pit (remember when we could do that?). Holding back on the true chorus until 1:42 is such a rad move too cause then it just builds on the chorus until the crashing finish. This whole song’s structure is really beautiful and reminds me of a right-to-it faster/cleaner Sonic Youth, Goo-era. (Rich Aucoin)
Like A Motorcycle | WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Moira Bren – “Afraid of Your Heart”
In a year filled with unfortunate circumstances but great music, I found it difficult to pick just one song but finally settled on Moira Bren’s simple yet transcendent “Afraid Of Your Heart”.
With lyrics that paint familiar, vivid portraits of love and loss of sleep, she calls back to the Roman romantics by describing the side of love that feels more like agony than ecstasy. Although the lyrical imagery is evocative of dark spaces and creaking floors it’s all wrapped up in a charming musical bow of upbeat ukulele and masterfully woven harmonies that have you humming along with the dread. It absolutely captivated me with its heart, joy, and melancholy, making it my favourite east coast tune of 2020. (Keats Conlon)
Moira Bren: FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BANDCAMP
Stewart Legere – “Wrong Machine”
The song brings me to an introspective place under a canopy of effects pedals, a continuous and contrapuntal counter-melody on the wurl. Filled with a mass of voices cover overhead calling a subdued anthem -when the drums do satisfy. The lyrics are minimal -as to not take over the symphonic experience of the piece. Harmonies are rich, chord progressions twist the ear with just the right oddities. The whole thing is a heavy hug that lightens the heart. It’s an experience as well as a song. “Wrong Machine” feels like a lifting acceptance of whatever circumstances a listener conjures, and it is so appropriate for times like these. (Kristen Cudmore, Language Arts)
Stewart Legere | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM
Jane Blanchard – “Settle”
Since the first time I saw Jane Blanchard and Stefan Westner perform at The Timber Lounge (RIP) I’ve maintained that they’re secretly the heaviest band on the east coast. They may not reach the decibel levels of Worst Part, Shelley or Like A Motorcycle but they utilize softer moments of sweet melancholy to make their harsher riffs pop off with such a sense of explosiveness. Each of the five songs on July’s Still, Again show off Jane’s artistry in a unique way but I think “Settle” presents this dynamic range in the sharpest fashion.
I could go on about Jane’s voice, songwriting, guitar tone and how tight this two-piece is but I’m not an experienced music writer and it would turn into me making a bunch of “sounds like/for fans of” comparisons which I think is some kind of faux pas so just go listen to this friggin record. Chef’s kiss. (Cailen Alcorn Pygott, No, It’s Fine.)
Like A Motorcycle – “Punk Two”
This song is full of energy like a Jägerbomb. An anti-capitalist jolt. (Lucy Niles, Partner)
Like A Motorcycle | WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
KINLEY – “Run With You”
To know Kinley Dowling is to love her. To hear her music is to be completely enchanted.
Her musicianship comes in at such a high level that I never want to make an album again without her magical string arrangements, violin, and breathy background vocals. She is the secret weapon of many producers in Atlantic Canada. However, her own offerings are where it’s at. Her songs run from quirky and fun, to some of the deepest, darkest matters. But no matter where she is taking you, she carries you with beauty, power and brilliance. I have rarely met such an authentic and humble person with that level of talent in my life, and I’ve been around.
Her album with Dennis Ellsworth, Everyone Needs To Chill Out, was my favourite the year it came out. Her song, “Golden Days”, literally made me move home to PEI. “Microphone” proved that there was no limit to how badass she was with her honesty and activism.
This year, she gave us a new album simply called KINLEY that is filled with perfectly produced, understated gems and overtly pop hits.
Her single and video for “Run With You” give me fathomless joy. Filmed at the race track, we are gifted with a beautiful, colourful, bouncy throwback vibe, complete with historic footage of our beloved horse races. I love her voice and the way she delivers a kind of self-deprecating performance but then opens up her heart wide on the chorus, like a horse heading for the finish line, holding nothing back. Kinley is always a musician we can bet on and win large. (Tara MacLean)
KINLEY | WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Jah’Mila – “Chant Their Names”
This song is my favourite of 2020 because it reflects the times and captures a significant moment of this past year. The momentum of the black lives matter movement that followed the death of George Floyd was a big theme of 2020 and I hope it continues into 2021. On top of that this song is just good, has a good groove and makes me want to dance. (Sam Wilson)
Jah’Mila | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BANDCAMP
DognotGods – “Take U Away”
The perfect blend of 1,2,3,4 Ramones punk and heavy thrash metal! My personal favourite band in Atlantic Canada. (Tyler Adams, The Follow Ups)
DogsnotGods | FACEBOOK | BANDCAMP
Sleepy Kicks – “Serving Money”
Man, where did these guys come from?! So stoked to give a shout-out to these underdogs this year. “Serving Money” has been my absolute jam since the day it was released and there was about a month where it was on rotation 3-4 times per day, which is saying a lot given my sporadic library!
This tune is polished in so many impressive ways for this band’s first release. The songwriting is mature and the form flows with ease but not predictability. Their melodies are absolutely contagious, and your mom, girlfriend, and grandpa will all be singing along to Serving Money in no time. Not to mention the mix is stellar, production is minimal but essential in all the right ways, and most importantly Sleepy Kicks is consistently pumping out good vibes amidst a not-so-good-vibes year. Kudos to them for the hard work on this one and I’m confident it’s the beginning of a big thing. (Morgan Zwicker)
Sleepy Kicks | WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Jenn Grant – “Happy Birthday, Baby”
I’m captivated by the understated beauty of Jenn’s Grant’s “Happy Birthday, Baby.” Her stream-of-consciousness account of becoming a mother is raw and honest and almost meditative. Welcoming a child into the world is simultaneous terror and ecstasy. Despite the deeply personal lyrics, I feel so closely connected to the song as a fellow mother. (Rachel Beck)