Toronto-based trio The Mooks combine their jangly power pop sound with spirited melodies and enduring structures to recall a myriad of influences, taking nods from bygone-era rhythm and blues to gleaming indie rock.
Formed in late 2017, the group independently released their debut EP Singles on June 1, 2018. After a heap of performances in 2018 (including spots at CMW & Indie Week), the group has cemented their reputation as one of the most exciting, up and coming acts out of Toronto.
In 2019, the group re-emerge with their recently recieved EP I Hope That You Feel The Same. The single So Kind was released in March to positive reviews, accompanied by the follow-up single Let It All Fall Down; out on May 24. The self-produced album was heavily recorded live off the floor with Calvin Hartwick at Dreamhouse Studios in Toronto, seeing the band embark into new territories of sound and concept.
Responsible for this smooth roller of a record, Drew Austin harnesses the delectable sensation of Summer on his brand new single ‘How It Feels’.
STREAM/PURCHASE: DREW AUSTIN – HOW IT FEELS
Opening with a soft, beautiful and affecting piano rift, the track begins to layer and build as it merges choral tones and jaunty piano playing whilst teasing the drop, which kicks in with thudding breaks to form an elegant banger with added kick.
Drawing you in with its smooth and sensual vibe, the record gains pace flawlessly, as the vocal is sprinkled throughout, following in the form of classic piano-house records, which send your emotions spiralling.
A relative new-comer to the House scene, Drew Austin has been producing records which think little of crossing genres and focus more on inspiring emotion and feels. Previous records including ‘Echo’, taken from his Distraction EP release, received support across the club scene, establishing his profile as ‘one to watch’.
Out now across all DSP’s to stream and download, prepare for an injection of joy in your summer playlist with ‘How It Feels’.
Emi Jeen has just released her brand new single West Of The Blue. On the single the songstress says;
“I fell in love travelling in a new country, but under the circumstances I never knew if it was just a summer fling or something real. Sometimes I wish I could go back there to figure it all out. “West of the Blue” paints a picture of a mythical paradise; sun-soaked bliss by the ocean, moments of fleeting love. It’s about finding that perfectly written postcard that never made it to its destination”.
Creativity relies on vision in a figurative and literal sense.
Though he may be a singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, Kuri chiefly describes himself as “an observer.” His keen insight and sonic curiosity thread together an intriguing framework of carefully constructed and composed alternative on 2019’s debut album No Village [Nevado Music]. The foundation remains rooted in organic performances, classically infused orchestration, jazzy freeform spirit, cinematic ambition, and ultimately inspired observation. “I like to watch, analyze, and create systems in my brain,” he affirms. “As a solo artist, I enjoy the freedom to express exactly what I want by drawing on what I see.”
Born and raised Scott Currie in the city of Abbotsford, British Columbia, he found himself constantly looking outward. The small Mennonite community he grew up in incited “a sense of questioning everything to figure out why we do what we do.” As the youngest of four brothers, mom bought him a drum set to jam with his guitarist siblings. Soon, he transitioned from behind-the-kit to an old piano in the house by the age of twelve.
Scott began writing under the name Kuri in 2017. Galvanized by influences ranging from Robert Glasper and Radiohead to Africa’s Tinariwen and composer John Cage, he arranged an expansive sonic palette informing his signature sound. It’s comprised of an ever-growing arsenal of instruments, including piano, drums, congas, strings, horns, bass, guitar, and more. “Every instrument has its own language,” he goes on. “I try to hone the language of each one. It helps articulate the overall goal.” After entering the CBC Searchlight competition, his songs caught the attention of Nevado Music, and Kuri signed to the label during 2018. Now he has brand new visual for the track entitled ’The Great Orator’ which capture the feelings of intensity and defiance, highlighting a sense of danger, adventure and newfound identity, all while counteracting it with the innocence of children.
Celebrating boldness and individuality, ‘No Limit’ is a 6-track testament to the fearless and their pursuit to break barriers, and with the lead single of the same name featuring UK Rap great Shystie, the power combination can’t help but set the unstoppable tone of this EP.
Rooted in friendship, the music is a by-product of teamwork, fierce resolution and the talent within Hannah V’s circle. Lead single ‘No Limit’ features Shystie and Pepper Rose and is anthemic in its charm with a valiant hook and the infectious, quick firing delivery of rap. Within the other 5 records that make up the EP, Misha B, Cherri V, Ama Schreyer, Nicky Brown and Mike Ellison join Hannah V on the journey and it’s packed to the brim with soul, depth, meaning and instrumental heaven. Think of it as a road trip, with all of your friends and different discussions happening along the way, emotions pouring out at varied pace, some getting soulful and deep whilst ten minutes later you’re all singing together with the windows down. Hannah V captures it perfectly on this EP, only on this trip, there’s ‘No Limit’ as to where the road will take you and how fast you need to go, just as long as you continue to break down barriers and keep it moving.
Really Well, the new record from Halifax band Mauno, is an expansive, idiosyncratic study in the creases in intimacy, authenticity, and labor, and the ways that music–guitars, bass, drums, synths and vocals— can explore and express them. Written by vocalist/bassist Eliza Niemi, vocalist/guitarist Nick Everett, guitarist Scott Boudreau and drummer Adam White and recorded at Chad VanGaalen’s Calgary studio, the record collapses the personal and the professional within critiques of capitalism and creative labour. Musically, too, it is non-linear, jutting from the twisted, plucky indie-skiffle of the opener “Really, Really” to the charged post-punk march of “Half It”, to the spring-reverb-tweaked riffing of “Reeling II”, to the dreamy, sidestepping guitar pop of “Expectations”, to the gorgeous, macabre slow-jam of “Vampire”.
Lyrically, the record deals with Mauno’s preoccupations with the nature of creative labor, relationships, and the self under capitalism. They note that their critiques are filtered through a lens of the absurd, turning them playful. “There’s something about humour and laughter that is very subversive and deeper than I think a lot of people realize”, Niemi says. “With these songs, I was trying to sort of dance on the line”. “There’s a double meaning to everything”, adds Everett. “You have to leave space for people to think. Where is the place for the listener if they’re not going to contribute their own thoughts, or their own interpretations?”
““Take Care” is a play on words — it’s about caregiving as a woman, and also about saying goodbye. It is about filling the role of taking care of someone and self-identifying through that, while simultaneously resenting the expectation of having to do so. The chorus begins hinting at waiting for a relationship to finally feel reciprocal, and ends with the reveal of me actually waiting for it to fall apart / knowing all along that it was doomed.” – Eliza Niemi
Russian electronic pop artist I.L.Y.A. (I Leave You Amazed) is pleased to announce his new EP Hybrid, to be released July 19th. Inspired by his transition from Moscow to New York City, I.L.Y.A creates a 6-track EP that experiments with the sounds of both European and American underground and pop music.
I.L.Y.A.’s EP also includes lyrics that pull from his worldly perspective as heard in his first single “Pour It Out”. The track lyrically enforces the process of letting go and is enhanced with a minor downbeat arrangement. As a songwriter and producer, I.L.Y.A. brings purposeful lyrics to hooky melodies that make his music addictive.
Originally from Moscow, Russia, I.L.Y.A. began exploring music producing in 2008 with GarageBand. By 2014, he released his first single “Talk To Me” and followed up with his 2015 EP Music For You. Gaining traction in Russia and wanting to explore musically, I.L.Y.A. made the decision to venture to New York City in 2018 where the diverse artistic space has only fueled his creativity. He released his first US-inspired single “Franklin”, which was praised by KALTBLUT Magazine, “his sunny demeanor is as effortless as the ease with which he flits between his songs and delivery.” Now I.L.Y.A.’s ready to bring more hybrid music to his fans.
Currently, I.L.Y.A. is preparing for the release of his single “Pour It Out” on June 21st. The single will be proceeded by a music video which was directed by Madina Akhmedova. Through their collaboration, both I.L.Y.A. and Akhmedova were able to create a symbolic visual piece of who I.L.Y.A. is as an artist. Be sure to follow I.L.Y.A. on social media to stay up to date for the release of I.L.Y.A.’s upcoming EP Hybrid, out July 19th.
(Picture Credit: Bridgette Aikens)
The Weeks are thrilled to announce their new album, Two Moons, to be released on September 13th. Two Moons was recorded in Nashville with Eric Masse (Rayland Baxter, Mikky Ekko, Robert Ellis) and is available for pre-order now. Visit the band’s store at crookedletter.net for exclusive bundles including limited run vinyl, cassettes & CDs. Pre-order digitally HERE. The first single “Comin’ Down” is out now.
“We’re insanely proud of this collection. This is our “studio magic” record, with almost all of the writing taking place within Masse’s “The Casino” studio. It’s a rock record that eats rock records for breakfast.”
In support of their new album, the band has announced their headline Fall US tour running September 12th through November 9th. The tour will feature support from Spendtime Palace, The Vernes, Future Thieves and H.A.R.D on selective dates. Raucous Mississippi rock combo The Weeks got its start in 2006 while all four members were still in high school. Staffed by twin Brothers Cyle (lead vocals) and Cain Barnes (Drums), Samuel Williams (guitar, vocals), and Damien Bone (bass). They released their debut album, Cadillac Comeback, in 2008. Their swaggering, sludgy, and slightly southern indie rock was further expanded with the release of five total albums including four studio albums and one live project.
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