Scott MacKay - Half of Everything

It's Valentine's Day this week, so what better time to have on the blog a song about divorce? Our timing is always impeccable.

"Half of Everything" by Canadian singer-songwriter Scott MacKay is a country-inflected song that takes the idea of splitting everything 50/50 after a romantic split, and taking it to its most logical, ridiculous conclusion. The song's got a classic singer-songwriter county feel to it, sounding something a bit like Jake Bugg, if he had a sense of humour.

"Half of Everything" is out now.

Basement Revolver - Johnny Pt. 2

We all enjoyed "Johnny", the debut single from Hamilton, Canada based trio Basement Revolver, didn't we? The answer to that is yes. Yes indeed we did. For that single went on to accumulate over half a million streams on Spotify, and the eponymous E.P that it was taken from picked up a lot of love from all the cool blogs.

Well, it turns out that the band loved "Johnny" so much that they've written a sequel to it. Actually, 'loved' is probably not the best operative word, seeing as "Johnny Pt.2" was written directly in aftermath of the break-up with the titular fellow. In comparison to the more wistful "Johnny", the follow-up seems quite a lot more forceful & hopeful, underpinned by the punchy drums, and the central refrain of "my doors will always be open for you", a statement not of yearning for the past, but of hope for a fresh new future. Another solid slice of reverb-drenched indie-pop from Basement Revolver.

"Johnny Pt.2" is taken from the band's upcoming E.P "Agatha", which is released on July 21st.

Basement Revolver - Words

Hamilton-based trio Basement Revolver picked up quite a big of blog love off the back of their debut single, the wistful "Johnny", back in April. Of the back of its acclaim, the band signed a deal with a UK-based label to release an E.P next month, and the group are about to undertake a tour of Canada to support the release.

What's more, they've just released a new single in anticipation of all the exciting shenanigans ahead, called "Words". The song is about how words come to be meaningless when you think about them (like 'dreamt'. That's a very weird word when you say it over and over and over again). It follows on from their debut single in its mix of fuzzy guitars, Alvvays-esque indie-pop and the wistful delivery from Chrisy Hurn. If they can deliver more great singles like this, then maybe at some point they'll receive the same plaudits as their indie-pop contemporaries.

"Words" is taken from Basement Revolver's self-titled E.P, which is out on July 15th, as a download and on cassette.

Basement Revolver - Johnny

Indie-pop of the more wistful variety - don't you just love it? We definitely do, which is why we were so smitten by "Johnny", the debut single from Ontario trio Basement Revolver. It's use of scuzzy guitars and a rather infectious chorus, coupled with lyrics very much at the sad end of the pop spectrum calls to mind the sound of fellow Canadians Alvvays, in particular their song "Archie, Marry Me". It is a lovely introduction to the band.

"Johnny" is taken from their debut E.P which will be released in July, and can be downloaded on a pay what you like basis.

HAWKING - Books On Tape

Hailing from Vancouver, 4-piece HAWKING have been entertaining crowds for the last few years with their combination of indie-rock and math-pop. They've got a new E.P coming out next month, and taken from it is the great "Books On Tape". The song calls to mind Two Door Cinema Club, albeit with a harsher edge to it and a more technical approach to their guitar lines. And unless my ears are deceiving me, it has one of the strangest opening couplet of any song released this year.

"Books On Tape" is taken from the band's self-titled E.P, which will be released on July 14th.

Alvvays - Next of Kin

Although there's still three months to go until the end of the year, it is looking very likely that our favourite new act of 2014 is going to be Canadian five-piece Alvvays. After becoming smitten with them after catching them by chance at The Great Escape, they solidified their place in our hearts with the release of their self-titled debut album, a fantastic, subversive album that reminded us that 'indie-pop' and 'twee' should not always be used synonymously.

The band have just released the music video for one of the songs on the album, and I cannot tell you how overjoyed I am at it. "Next of Kin" was the overwhelming highlight of the album, a fantastic song, which is likely to be the jauntiest tune about a riverside drowning that you're likely to hear this year. The chorus is just a thing of wistful beauty, and the stop-motion video they've made to accompany the song fits it very well. I'm absolutely delighted that the song's made the upgrade to single status (or 'focus track', or 'stream grabber', or whatever they're calling it these days). It's a fantastic song, and (SPOILER) is a top contender to be the blog's favourite song of 2014 when December rolls around.

"Next of Kin" is taken from Alvvays' self-titled debut album, which is available now. If you want more reasons to buy the album, check out my review of the album on Drowned In Sound and wonder why this album hasn't yet entered your life. 

Album Review: The Zolas - Ancient Mars

(Light Organ Records)

"Ancient Mars" is the follow-up release from Canadian duo The Zolas. Having previously been members of cult indie-rockers Lotus Child, the group released their debut album, the cabaret inspired "Tic Toc Tic", back in 2009. According to the band, they have "traded in the cabaret glitz...for reverbed pianos and tough, minimalist production" in the intervening years, something which shines through over the album's 40 minutes.

The album kicks off with "In Heaven", a track which kicks off with a simple piano line, erupts in a chorus of guitar lines before reaching a serene conclusion. This is followed by the album's stand-out track, "Hole In My Heart", which features a glorious, ELO sounding chorus and wonderful lovelorn lyrics. 

Elements of spaced-out rock with a pop aesthetic appear throughout the record, which is quite apt given its name. The title track is a blissed-out jam with lyrics about wanting to be able to travel back in time, whilst "Escape Artist" goes from sincere piano balladry into something slightly far out over its running time. "Strange Girl" is the closest the band get to a proper rock track, in spite of featuring a Wurlitzer throughout, and "Observer", the album's other big pop number, features some wonderful uses of dynamics.

The only real disappointing tracks on the album are the ones that have been left to the very end. The minimalist, lo-fi approach to "Cold Moon" remains somewhat distracting and out of place given the music that has preceded it, and whilst bonus track "Cultured Man" does improve things a little, it doesn't live up to the earlier tracks' promise. 

"Ancient Mars" by The Zolas is a decent album by a group who don't consider pop to be a dirty word. It's a record that features great choruses and well thought-out production, yet one that doesn't feel artificial or laboured. 

Released: 3rd December 2012

Highlights: "Knot In My Heart", "Observatory".

Le Roi Crocodile - Ghost Speak

 

When I was a young, sprightly 16-year-old, the closest I ever came to making decent electronic music was when I used a simple computer programme to stick an 'Amen break' over "Connection" by Elastica to make a 'dance remix'. Therefore, it's great to see a good lot of tech-savvy kids coming through who are making electronic music which belie their years. One such artist is Vancouver based teen Le Roi Crocodile (King Crocodile), whose sleek synth-pop sound of "Ghost Speak" meshes up the chillwave of artists like Washed Out with the poppier sensibilities of Owl City. So far it's the only song that he's uploaded to his Soundcloud page, but it bodes well for his future releases.