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With a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19 Pandemic, St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival did not disappoint, wrapping up the travelling festival in Perth on February 12th. Taken place in Wellington Square, festival goers were in for a hot one, with temperatures rising up to 28°. But with sunscreen and water being offered throughout the entire day and a wide range of food trucks scattered throughout the festival grounds, it was clear that organizers came prepared to give music lovers the best experience possible. This genre-bending festival had a star-studded lineup, with fan favourites including Fred again.., Phoebe Bridgers, FINNEAS, girl in red and Joji taking the main stage. From 100 gecs bringing hyper pop to Western Australia to slowthai, Tasman Keith and Knucks serving an energetic crowd of rap fans, Laneway had an artist for every type of concert fanatic. Not to mention the energy and synchronicity HAIM as they closed out the main stage—the three sisters showing what it means to put on a performance. Check out the photo gallery captured by Kianna Sumitani below: Haim Joji Fred Again… Girl in Red Fontaines DC Finneas Phoebe Bridgers Mallrat Slowthai Tasman Keith While the St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival tour has come to an end for this year, its organization was top tier. From the well-curated lineup to the friendly staff and peaceful festival attendees, Laneway Perth 2023 was a prime example of what a music festival should be. If this was the event after taking a few years off, we can’t wait to see what’s in store for Laneway Festival 2024. Photos and writing by Kianna Sumitani.

On February 14th, Toronto R&B singer and Juno award nominee Dylan Sinclair performed an intimate hometown show at the brand new TD Allied Music Hall. Since it was Valentine’s Day, numerous couples were in attendance to hear Sinclair’s classic R&B tunes. He performed songs off of his EP “No Longer in the Suburbs” such as “Open” and “Lifetime”. He was supported by fellow Toronto musician and alt R&B singer Rowena Fysx. All photos by John Mendoza.

Back in January, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival announced their lineup for their 22nd edition of the festival. Over two weekends in April from the 14-16th and again on the 21-23rd well over 100,00 people each day will dance, vibe, rock out and party. As usual, the biggest and most prestigious fest in America didn’t disappoint fans. Sure a lot of the buzz will inevitably be about the headliners, but with 161 acts currently listed there is plenty to discover. Let’s start with the headliners, first is the Puerto Rican reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny. The singer and rapper has released four solo albums and twice has been Spotify’s most streamed artist of the year, a feat that makes him one of the biggest musical stars in the world, causing the explosion of Spanish-language music to surge in popularity. While girl and boy pop groups have faded in popularity in North American after the peak in the early 2000’s, in Korea they never stopped topping the charts. BLACKPINK who only put out their debut album in 2020 are the biggest girl group to ever come out of the K-Pop scene. Helping their breakthrough in English markets has been their collaborations with artists such as Selena Gomez, Cardi B and Lady Gaga. Interestingly enough both Bad Bunny and BLACKPINK played at the 2019 Coachella festival, both appearing early evening on their respective days. The last headliner is the reclusive Frank Ocean. The RnB titan was originally scheduled to make his headlining debut back in 2020, but the festival was cancelled for two years for obvious global pandemic reasons. While it has been seven years since he put out Blonde and Endless, he still commands the respect and adoration that a headliner deserves. With Ocean popping up on the lineup, it has fans hoping that new music might eventually be on his way. He hasn’t played a live show since 2017 and is known for his perfection, to the point of stopping and restarting songs if he feels he isn’t playing them right. But a festival like Coachella isn’t just about the headliners. Plenty of big names will grace the and whatever genre you like there will be something to discover. With almost a dozen stages spread across the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California there is something for everyone to rock out to. With the surge in popularity of EDM you have the cream of the crop playing the festival. Whether you are there for legends like the Big House king Calvin Harris, techno icons The Chemical Brothers or Eric Prydz presenting his HALO set (where giant holographic images literally appear over the crowd), the old ravers will be satisfied. If you want more current dance music you can jam with the loop daddy Marc Rebillet in your bath robes, watch Kaytranada blend hip-hop with electronica or see Alison Wonderland’s new alter ego Whyte Fang. If you are more of a rocker you can punk/new wave originators Blondie, you can relax on your chaise lounge with recent Grammy winners Wet Leg, or get sad with boygenius (the supergroup consisting of Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus). You also have the likes of Alex G, Snailmail, Weyes Blood, Knocked Loose and The Breeders depending on your subgenre of choice. Pop thrives at Coachella, and this lineup won’t disappoint. Rosalía, one of the biggest stars in the world brings the Spanish heat, Charli XCX has the hyper pop to get you going and Christine and the Queens will teach you about alternative disco. Are you into rap and hip-hop? You can guess what guests Metro Boomin will bring out from his stable of collabs, Pusha T brings his decades of experience to the desert and Latto will have your boss girl anthems. You can party with Saba, GloRilla, EARTHGANG and more too! There are so many massive names playing the festival it would be a shame to not mention Damon Albarn’s cartoon band Gorillaz, which will surely feature some fun guests, experimental queen Björk, Deadmau5’s techno side project TESTPILOT, dance floor starters Sofi Tukker, The xx’s Romy, latin popstar Kali Uchis and the very first performance ever by Jai Paul. Seriously if you don’t know about his album leak from 2013 and public disappearance you’re in for a wild ride. The only real question left is, who is 1999.ODDS? The name appears on 5th line of Sunday’s billing, there is no social media presence, no songs on Spotify and no word from the festival. The likeliest answer is that it is someone’s unannounced side project, with the best guess being James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, who will likely be present all weekend as his vintage club Despacio will be running both weekends. Who are you most excited to see this year? 34 names are listed above and that is barely scratching the surface of this incredibly deep roster of names. Will you be at the Fisher + Chris Lake set, Underworld’s, Cannons, Dominic Fike or somewhere completely different? Stay tuned at The Soundtrack for more great Coachella content! Written by Dakota Arsenault

One of Canada’s fastest-growing chains Mary Brown’s Chicken unveiled its new Tasty Mix series – an initiative built to shine a light on the distinct sounds of emerging Canadian DJs from coast-to-coast. This first of its kind project is launched in collaboration with world-famous (and Canada’s own) DJ Charlie B. DJ Charlie B has had an outstanding career in music. His hit song “30,000 ft” with Northside Benji was nominated for Rap Single of the Year at the 2022 JUNO Awards, and is certified GOLD in Canada. He’s also worked with some of today’s leading performers, such as Cardi B, DJ Envy, DJ Drama, Roy Woods, YG & Punjabi Music Sensation Karan Aujla to name a few. Most recently, Charlie B performed at the iconic Rolling Loud festival, which took place in Toronto last summer. Charlie B chatted with me about his history and passion in the music scene: How are you doing these days, and getting through the end of winter? I’ve been doing well. Keeping up with new projects and I’ve also been prioritizing my health. Being a now world-famous DJ, what does it mean to work with a Canadian brand to showcase Canadian talent? It means the world to me. Although I’ve been touring different countries in cities all over the world; I never forget where it all started and where I come from. Mary Brown’s and myself have both started from humble beginnings and we share a common vision in supporting the local communities that have helped raise us. Can you share some more information about Saturday Love? How did this help DJ’s, and do you have any plans for this project this year? The Story Behind Saturday Love- – After speaking with other DJs across the nation, both industry staples and those less experienced, it quickly became evident that the impacts of COVID-19 were far greater than a simple health-threat. The more influential and experienced DJs, such as myself, may have had a minor disruption in finances, whereas the newer DJs, or those that don’t have regular gigs, may have felt it much more. For some individuals, bringing nightlife entertainment to life may have been their primary source of income. Whether that was DJing, bartending or other roles in the industry, the pandemic brought their main source of income to a complete halt. This disruption was felt across the entertainment industry and did continue beyond the quarantine period, impacting much more than just finances as mental health issues often stem from monetary challenges. In different ways, many people lent a helping hand to lift me up when I was a young DJ and I felt obligated to pay it forward. We organized a 12 Hour DJ-A-Thon on Twitch and raised $25,000 which helped 50+ DJs across Canada from all different genres that got them through a tough month. Although Saturday Love was specifically geared towards helping DJs during the pandemic; I plan to organize other functions to continue to bring DJs together. Tell me a bit more about Tasty Mix, and what drew you to this project? Helping others and inspiring young creatives is in my DNA. The moment I had the opportunity to be apart of something like “Tasty Mix” I knew it was a perfect fit. Mary Brown’s and I came up with this idea to unite up and coming djs and encourage them to follow their dreams. “Tasty Mix” is an initiative to showcase DJs across Canada through social media platforms. We’re excited to put on a great show for the audience which will include a diverse group of talented individuals. What opportunities can participants potentially expect should they succeed in Tasty Mix? They can expect increased visibility which hopefully will lead to further opportunities for work. Can you offer a couple of short but effective pieces of advice to up and coming DJ’s? The audience will respond to a genuine performance. Stay true to your authentic self. Never give up on your dreams. Your reputation will always enter a room before you do, be kind to others. Never forget “The Why”. Lastly, what is your favourite menu item from Mary Brown’s currently? My favourite menu item would have to be the Big Mary Sandwich with Large Taters! By: Gemma Mastroianni

Music has been a part of human culture for thousands of years, and its impact on our mental health is well-documented. From soothing a broken heart to lifting our spirits on a bad day, music has the power to influence our emotions and improve our mental wellbeing. But what is the relationship between music and mental health, and how can we harness its power to improve our mental wellbeing? The Therapeutic Benefits of Music Music has been used for therapeutic purposes for centuries, and recent research has backed up the traditional wisdom. A study by the University of Helsinki found that listening to music reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in patients with mental health issues. The same study also found that music therapy improved the quality of life for patients suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses. Music therapy is a form of therapy that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. It can help people with mental health issues to cope with their emotions and to improve their mental wellbeing. Some of the benefits of music therapy include reducing anxiety and stress, improving mood, and increasing feelings of calm and relaxation. The Power of Music to Reduce Stress Stress is a major contributor to mental health issues, and music can help to reduce stress levels. When we listen to music, our bodies release endorphins, which are natural painkillers that can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Additionally, music can help to slow down our breathing and heart rate, which can have a calming effect on our bodies and minds. Music has been shown to be effective in reducing stress in various settings, including the workplace and the home. A study by the University of Maryland found that listening to music reduced stress levels by up to 65% in people who had experienced a traumatic event. This study demonstrates the power of music to help us cope with stress and improve our mental wellbeing. The Impact of Music on Mood Music can also have a powerful impact on our moods. It can help to lift our spirits when we’re feeling down and to calm us when we’re feeling anxious. The impact of music on our moods is largely due to the way that music stimulates the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. For example, listening to music has been shown to increase levels of serotonin, which is a mood-enhancing neurotransmitter. One of the key ways that music can improve our mood is by triggering positive memories and emotions. Many of us have specific songs or pieces of music that are associated with happy times in our lives. Listening to these songs can evoke these positive emotions and help to improve our moods. Music and Sleep Sleep is essential for good mental health, and music can play an important role in helping us to get a good night’s sleep. Music can help to slow down our breathing and heart rate, which can have a calming effect and help us to fall asleep more easily. Additionally, music can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels, which can also contribute to better sleep. There are various types of music that are specifically designed to help people fall asleep. For example, “sleep music” is a type of music that is slow, soft, and repetitive, and is designed to help people relax and fall asleep. This type of music is particularly effective for people who have trouble falling asleep due to stress, anxiety, or other mental health issues. The relationship between music and mental health is complex and multi-faceted. From reducing stress and anxiety to improving mood and helping us to get a good night’s sleep, music has the power to enhance our mental wellbeing. Whether you’re struggling with a mental health issue or just want to improve your mental wellbeing.

Dan Mangan played Longboat Hall on January 19th. Check out the photo gallery below capture by Katrina Lat: Setlist Just Know It Cold in the Summer Road Regrets Lay Low Leaves, Trees, Forest Tina’s Glorious Comeback Troubled Mind Easy Fool for Waiting In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Peaks & Valleys Just Fear All Roads Sold Which Is It Fire Escape Pine for Cedars The Indie Queens Are Waiting In Your Corner (For Scott Hutchinson) Race to the Bottom Basket Robots So Much for Everyone

Experience the Best of indie music with Tallies, Nyssa, Bonnie Trash, and Blue Material at Lee’s Palace. Mark your calendars for the second edition The Soundtrack Live featuring the rising talents of Tallies, Nyssa, Bonnie Trash, and Blue Material. In addition to the fantastic lineup of musical acts, there will also be unique vendors and a photo display from The Soundtrack photographers, giving attendees the opportunity to immerse themselves in the full experience of the indie music scene. Check out more information on the artists playing below: Tallies Tallies, a band from Toronto, Canada, is known for their dreamy soundscapes and lush harmonies. Coming out of Toronto, this indie pop band was formed by lead singer and guitarist Sarah Cogan and guitarist Dylan Franklin, with Cian O’Neill on drums. TALLIES defies all expectations with their latest album “Patina” featuring single “No Dreams of Fayres.” It is both a direct continouatikn of the bands sound and an evolution into a stronger, wiser, and more mature version of TALLIES. Nyssa Next, we have Nyssa, a Toronto-based artist known for her ethereal sound and emotive lyrics. Her show is filled with a ton of energy and a big sound. Check out her latest releases here. Blue Material We’re excited to welcome Montreal based band Blue Material for their Toronto debut. Created by Thom Gullies (co-founder of Vesuvio Solo, former member of TOPS), the band is currently working on finishing the second LP with long-time friend, collaborator, and bassist Scott Mallory. Check out their latest EP “You’re Doing All The Talking” here. Bonnie Trash Bonnie Trash is the darkened shoegaze/post-punk drone project of twin sisters Emmalia and Sarafina Bortolon-Vettor. Their 2022 debut album Malocchio unspools a real-life horror story based onthe stories told to them by their Italian grandmother. Over heavy, hypnotic riffs, pounding drums and spooky soundscapes, the lyrics pull the listener into the meaning of the “evil eye.” Sonically, it connects threads between metal, post-punk, shoegaze, and gothic rock. This is going to be another event you won’t want to miss. Lee’s Palace is the perfect venue for experiencing the best of indie music, and Tallies, Nyssa, Bonnie Trash and Blue Material are sure to deliver an unforgettable night. Don’t wait – get your tickets now at transmitpresents.com .

As we close another great year, it is time to share our best 50 albums that came out in 2022. The theme this year seemed to be artists finally releasing new music. Whether it was SZA at five years, Yeah Yeah Yeahs at nine years or Alexisonfire at thirteen years, fans this year were treated to some great new music. Albums were nominated by a team member and if it reached a specific threshold of votes, it was eligible to make this list. A total of 229 albums and EP’s were nominated. As The Soundtrack is a Canadian publication, we feel it is our duty to highlight the many great acts from this country as denoted with a flag (🇨🇦) next to the title. 50. Sylvan Esso – No Rules Sandy 49. The Black Keys – Dropout Boogie At one point The Black Keys were one of the biggest bands in the world, then they went on hiatus and it was doubtful they would ever come back. Since their return in 2019, they’ve put out three records, none of which have hit the commercial highs of their earlier efforts. With Dropout Boogie, they dig into the cousin of blues in soul. An album that sounds like a cross between Muddy Waters and The Commodores is a new direction for them. If you were a fan of their pre-Brothers music, this album would have been right up your alley. – Dakota Arsenault 48. Lizzo – Special There’s no denying the world domination Lizzo has earned in the last few years, but her music is a masterclass in pop craft. Sure “About Damn Time” is overplayed, but listen again to it, the funk throwback is impeccable, the bass line, the flirty flute it’s all there. For fans of the Beastie Boys there is the fun sample of “Girls” on her track “Grrls”. Lizzo even gets in on the disco bandwagon with “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)”. This album is chock full of bangers and deserves all the attention it gets. – Dakota Arsenault 47. Perfume Genius – Ugly Season The sixth studio album from singer-songwriter Perfume Genius dropped back in June, originally composed to accompany choreographer Kate Wallich’s contemporary dance piece, The Sun Still Burns Here. It also accompanied short film Pygmalion’s Ugly Season directed by visual artist Jacolby Satterwhite. The album is experimental, queer, and eclectic. – Gemma Mastroianni 46. Harry Styles – Harry’s House 45. The Weeknd – Dawn FM 🇨🇦 “Dawn FM” was one of the first albums to release in 2021, and its hard-hitting dance and 80’s influence sure left an impression for the remainder of the year with several remixes and consistent radio play. Singles “Take my Breath”, “Sacrifice”, “Out of Time”, and “Less Than Zero” all made it to the top six of Billboard charts, and the album reached number one in over ten countries. The vintage radio theme throughout the album keeps things interesting, and takes listeners on a groovy journey like no other. – Gemma Mastroianni 44. Mt. Joy – Orange Blood Orange Blood, indie rock band Mt. Joy’s third studio album, encapsulates the warmth and freedom of summertime in a lush sonic landscape. While the band are known for shifting in and out of folk, Americana, pop, and jazz, and prolonging groove filled jam sessions, their latest effort finds them condensing their sound into a refined, deliberate sound that borders on alternative, psychedelic, and pop-rock ideations. Tracks like “Orange Blood,” “Lemon Tree,” and “Evergreen” create a raucous palpitation that gives heartbeat to the album, rhythmically guiding listeners on a trip of their own that ends in both joy, enlightenment, and contemplation. – Emma Furrier 43. Charli XCX – CRASH Social media’s favourite hyper pop girl is back with her final album on her Atlantic record contract, possibly setting her up to be a major free agent. Here she gets guest turns from some favourites in the underground pop community like Rina Sawayama, Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek. The centerpiece of the album is “Good Ones”, an 80’s synth rock banger about only dating the baddest of boys. The album is more mainstream and focused than her more experimental EP’s, so expect tracks from this record to consistently pop up on playlists and be heard in the clubs. – Dakota Arsenault 42. Band of Horses – Things are Great The sixth studio album from Band of Horses released on March 4, 2022. Lyricism reflects on past anxieties, emotional memories, and coping with trauma. Despite longtime members Tyler Ramsey and Bill Reynolds departing the group in 2017, the two assisted with recording this album. The album also featured new bass guitarist Matt Gentling and guitarist Ian MacDougall however, MacDougall departed the band two months ahead of this album’s release. The album received great praise and positive reviews for its intricate lyricism, and big sound. – Gemma Mastroianni 41. Alvvays – Blue Rev 🇨🇦 Alvvays took time between their first and second albums, but really made fans wait for their third effort. A long and arduous five years without new Alvvays music (to be fair, a worldwide pandemic did take up some of those years) made fans very thirsty. The band took what they do best, jangle pop, and made their sound more aggressive at points. We get classic sounding tracks like “After the Earthquake” where Alec O’Hanley’s familiar guitar tones dominate the track, but we get more experimental songs like “Pomerian Spinster”, which sounds like a proto-punk epic. It’s same-same, but different and very good. – Dakota Arsenault 40. Beach House – Once Twice Melody Beach House delivered a double album of 18 tracks, which were all as we expected – dreamy, emotional, and transportive. There is a theme of moving through seasons as in the beginning of this LP it begins with lyrics “out in the summer sun” and ends with “into the darkness” on the final track. Each song is dynamic, majestic, and atmospheric. Does Beach House ever disappoint? – Gemma Mastroianni 39. Carly Rae Jepsen – The Loneliest Time 🇨🇦 In her post “Call Me Maybe” career, Carly Rae Jepsen has become the sage best friend able to talk about relationships and sex in a fun and adult manner. Her B-Sides albums are filled with tracks that would make other artists jealous of Jepsen’s talent. Her latest foray into disco infused pop music has her reliving all the terrible dates she’s gone on (the deliciously sadistic “Beach House”) to butterflies you get when you fall in love (the mellow and hypnotic “Western Wind”). Here’s hoping we get The Loneliest Time B-Sides as well. – Dakota Arsenault 38. Animal Collective – Time Skiffs Animal Collective finally made their comeback with their eleventh studio album; this being their first release in six whole years. If you know Animal Collective, you’re aware that their music becomes a bit weirder (in the best possible way), ambient, and eclectic with each new album. Animal Collective doesn’t hold back and you can always expect something experimental and out there with each new release, which is exactly what we have here. – Gemma Mastroianni 37. Arctic Monkeys – The Car British hitmakers Arctic Monkeys are fully comfortable in their hard rock retirement. After causing confusion with the release of 2018’s Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, which marked a significant sonic shift for the band and divided their previously unwavering fan base, they haven’t strayed far from their lounge act charade. Their seventh studio album, The Car, continues where they left off, yet trades a space exploration for a grounded quest unearthing mysterious characters and schemes. Bolstering an array of sonic embellishments, the group still flaunts a well-rounded groove and incorporates a newfound element of funk that thrives on tracks like “I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am,” “Body Paint,” and “Hello You”. In an atmospheric, noir-esque style, orchestral arrangements flourish atop intricate, glittering instrumentation and Alex Turner’s precise, observational lyricism. The Car is a trailblazing journey into the serpentine mind and ambitions of Turner and company. – Emma Furrier 36. Hypernatural – Hypernatural 35. Fred Again… – Actual Life 3 (January 1- September 9 2022) I remember camping at Coachella and hearing whispers about Fred Again being the set that everyone absolutely had to see. I had never heard of him before. I popped by the set quickly and left, but boy do I ever regret that. Luckily I had the chance to see him at an after party after his set here in Toronto, when months later I truly realized the magic of his music. Although just gaining true recognition this year following his Boiler Room set, Fred Again has been producing for some of the biggest artists in the game (Swedish House Mafia, Jamie XX, Dermot Kennedy, and more) for many years. In Actual Life 3, he takes sound clips from actual happenings in his life and turns them into exciting dance tracks that expand on the emotions captured in his actual life. It’s amazing to see such a simple concept expand into incredible art. – Gemma Mastroianni 34. Saba – Few Good Things On his third rap album, Saba’s Few Good Things is a masterclass in storytelling through rap. Saba paints a vivid picture of nostalgia, intergenerational trauma, Black pain and the importance of family and friendship. This is all coupled together with a warm atmospheric sound that jumps between energetic drums, neo-soul riffs and layered vocals. Filled with deft lyricism, Saba’s third album presents listeners with an unforgettable experience. – John Mendoza 33. Sharon Van Etten – We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong Van Etten has been one of the steadiest artists of the last decade. Her blend of low-fi rock and folk cut to the core of what it means to be alive, tenderness, rage, love, jealousy, aspirations, grandeur and more are always covered in a SVE album. If you’re new to her music, check out “I’ll Try” or “Anything” to get a taste of her greatness. – Dakota Arsenault 32. Drake and 21 Savage – Her Loss 🇨🇦 ]I can’t say I’ve ever had a Drake album on repeat, but this one sure got me. The collaboration between Drake and 21 Savage has catchy beats, clever lyrical ability, and is overall a fun album to throw on a party. Although not necessarily “deep” or inspiring in any way, it’s a reminder that not every album needs to be. This album is a hard-hitting fun one and I’ve definitely enjoyed the memes that have resulted from it (ha.) – Gemma Mastroianni 31. Taylor Swift – Midnights Say what you want about Taylor Swift…girl can drop an album. Midnights is, objectively speaking, top to tail bangers. Swift has a knack for catchy hooks and singable choruses, and never not once has she pretended that wasn’t her biggest strength as a songwriter. Paired once again with bubblegum producer extraordinaire Jack Antonoff, Midnights is one of Taylor Swift’s strongest albums yet (rivaled only by 1989, perhaps). It goes without saying that liking or disliking Taylor Swift’s music is a matter of taste, but there is no denying she is a pop powerhouse, and she knows exactly what she’s doing. Midnights is no exception, and feels a bit like eating dessert before dinner: maybe it will give you a stomach ache later, but in the moment it’s just too good to resist. – Amanda McMillan 30. Hot Chip – Freakout/Release Did you expect anything less than another exciting disco and dance inspired LP from Hot Chip? Even with themes of heart-ache and struggle, the band still delivers another dreamy and exciting album. The 11 track LP features house, 70s, funk, and 80’s influences and although it features many topics having to do with darkness, it also covers dancing, love, and togetherness, resulting in a well-rounded collection of tracks. – Gemma Mastroianni 29. Maggie Rodgers – Surrender After the massive mainstream success of her debut album, Heard It In A Past Life, Maggie Rogers took three years to carefully craft her highly anticipated follow up. Surrender is a punch to the sky, a white flag soaring high, a total surrender of oneself to life and to love. While writing and recording the album, Rogers was simultaneously getting her masters degree in religion and public life at Harvard University’s Divinity school, where themes in her curriculum translated into the music she was making. There is a stark sense of self autonomy and sacrifice that laces the album together, in a poetic and all consuming way. Rogers excels at churning emotions and wearing her heart on her sleeve, and her sophomore album is this prerogative at its finest. – Emma Furrier 28. Angel Olsen – Big Time Angel Olsen has long felt like this generation’s Dolly Parton or Patsy Cline even if her music has often veered more towards folk or singer songwriter but on Big Time she fully channels her country goddess. The title track is destined to be a first dance for couples at their weddings, with its sweet but never saccharine lyrics about love. Let Olsen’s delicate twang wash over you and be enveloped in her feelings. – Dakota Arsenault 27. Orville Peck – Bronco 🇨🇦 Following the release strategy of Beach House’s album this year, Peck opted to release his album in thirds instead of just dropping singles. We get the most bombast and some of the most tender songs of his career so far. Peck was also able to lasso Norman Reedus, Margaret Cho, Kornbread and Riley Keogh to star in his videos. “The Curse of the Blackened Eye” showcases his vocals at his most heartbreaking in a song that reaches into the depths of your soul. If you are looking for boot stompers, check in to “Daytona Sand” and the title track “Bronco”. – Dakota Arsenault 26. Hot Flash Heatwave – Sportswear The third album from Hot Flash Heatwave is filled with themes of nostalgia and reflection, and features a ton of synths and a 2010’s indie psych-rock inspired sound. If you like Tame Impala, Wild Nothing, DIIV, or Inner Wave, you’ll absolutely love this one. With each album their sound progresses from bedroom indie-rock to something bigger, polished, and defined. – Gemma Mastroianni 25. Rosalía – Motomami Spanish singer songwriter Rosalía released her third studio album “MOTOMAMI” in March, 2022. This personal LP is a concept album featuring ideas of struggle with fame, isolation, and feeling homesick, all with a heavy Latin influence. Rosalía features tons of genre bending, collaborations, and pushing musical boundaries in the mainstream. – Gemma Mastroianni 24. Spoon – Lucifer on the Sofa Spoon might be the single most consistent indie rock band ever. You can go back to early albums like Girls Can Tell or Gimme Fiction and listen to their latest Lucifer on the Sofa and see the throughline that connects them. That isn’t any kind of insult. Britt Daniel and company know what people like and they do it really, really well. “The Hardest Cut”, “Wild” and “Feels Alright” will get you dancing in your black skinny jeans and faded band tee with a PBR just like you did in 2005. – Dakota Arsenault 23. ODESZA – The Last Goodbye It’s been five years since the last proper Odesza album (2017’s A Moment Apart), but the Washington state duo are back to transport you to a realm of magic and wonder with arena shaking drums. The centerpiece to the album is the title track “The Last Goodbye”, which features legendary blues singer Bettye LaVette. Other guest appearances include Swedish singer Låpsley on “Equal”, The Knocks on “Love Letter” among others. – Dakota Arsenault 22. MUNA – MUNA MUNA seemingly blew up overnight with TikTok fame with breakout single “Silk Chiffon,” thanks to a special feature by sad-girl queer icon Phoebe Bridgers. It’s about time we had a fun, playful queer pop band make it to the big leagues. Tegan and Sara walked so MUNA could run (fun fact: MUNA was actually featured on Tegan & Sara’s 10th anniversary release of The Con in 2017). MUNA is the band’s third studio album, but it’s certainly a case of third time’s a charm here. With folks like HAIM, SNL’s Bowen Yang, and Ziwe counted as fans…MUNA is a band on the rise! – Amanda McMillan 21. Father John Misty – Chloe and the Next 20th Century Josh Tillman has always teetered between mountain folkie and Vegas lounge act but on his fifth album under the Father John Misty moniker he seems to embrace the easy going piano vibes. He blends folk with smooth jazz and singer songwriter writing styles. It’s the type of album that if you have company coming over for dinner you can throw on and people will ask you who it is. Sometimes you just need something that is relaxing and soothing to the ears and Chloe and the Next 20th Century is that. – Dakota Arsenault 20. Foals – Life Is Yours Foals always brings the energy, and you can expect nothing less on “Life Is Yours.” The LP is filled with disco inspired riff and pop-rock bass lines, and is also their first LP as a trio. – Gemma Mastroianni 19. King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and Lava I don’t think it’s possible for King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard to release a “bad” album. This is their fifth release of 2022, and is certainly best enjoyed from front to back (which I always appreciate) with each song sonically flowing into one another. As anticipated, this album features a vast amount of variety of instrumentation – from flutes to epic guitar shredding, this album leaves listeners blown away. – Gemma Mastroianni 18. Alex G – God Save The Animals Alex G has long bubbled under the surface of the mainstream. He’s nine albums into his career already and a leader in the bedroom DIY scene. With God Save the Animals he seemed to start to make a breakthrough, even if it only reached as high as 144 on the Billboard charts. He doesn’t break the mold here, but each album builds on the one previous. “Mission” is a tender song that features delicate guitar playing, while on the flip side you can listen to “No Bitterness” and see Alex cranking up the compositions. – Dakota Arsenault 17. SZA – SOS SZA is back, baby! And not a moment too soon. The long awaited follow up to 2017’s Crtl is a whopping 23-track epic, featuring notable collaborations with Phoebe Bridgers and Travis Scott, as SZA continues to redefine herself and push the boundaries of genre. If we didn’t have the proof before, we certainly have it now that SZA is one of the best in the game; her flow is effortless, clever, and dynamic. She has a lot to say, getting more vulnerable with her audience than ever before. We’re really getting to know SZA now as an artist, seeing everything she’s capable of. It’s been five years since we’ve had a release from her, and it has certainly been worth the wait. – Amanda McMillan 16. Alexisonfire – Otherness 🇨🇦 2022 was the year of bands returning after long awaited absences. Alexisonfire last put out an album in 2009. Sure there were plenty of singles along the way and more reunion tours than one can count, but it wasn’t a full fledged return to form. With Otherness the band embraces melodic Metal instead of their usual Screamo past. The debut single from the album was “Sans Soliel” that actually didn’t feature any screaming vocals from George Petit, making it sound more like a City and Colour song than AOF. If you’re willing to accept the changes to the band’s sound, you’re in for a very rewarding treat. – Dakota Arsenault 15. Luna Li – Duality 🇨🇦 This debut dream pop album from Luna Li is charming, glistening and genuine. Much like the album’s name, Hannah Bussiere Kim (Luna’s real name) carefully balances the duality between her lyricism and her dreamy production. Among all the orchestral strings, lush synths and delicate keys, Kim’s words are never buried but rather elevated through her thoughts of isolation and self-worth. By refusing to contain herself in one box, Luna Li proves herself to be a driving force in the pop music scene. – John Mendoza 14. Toro Y Moi – MAHAL MAHAL features elements of jazz, psychedelic, indie-rock, and funk. I’ve always had a deep admiration for Toro Y Moi’s ability to genre bend in a way where he almost creates his own unique genre that doesn’t fit in a box with other artists. His unique ability in production and direction allows this album to stand out greatly from other releases in 2022. Featuring more interludes on this album than previous ones takes listeners on a bit more of an escape than the past- a really groovy one, that is. – Gemma Mastroianni 13. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Cool It Down Nine long arduous years. That’s how much time has passed since YYY’s last album, Mosquito, was released. Karen O and company were once at the top of the Indie movement making heads roll. They were dangerous. Now they return as elder statesmen with a record that shows maturity, like on the track “Lovebomb” that makes you reflect on your own aging. But they also know what listeners want from a YYY’s album and give you the bombast with “Wolf” that features a killer orchestra breakdown. Please don’t disappear for nine years again, but if you must, make sure your return is this damn tasty. – Dakota Arsenault 12. Freddie Gibbs – $OUL $OLD $EPARATELY Gibbs shares his first concept album about a fictional Las Vegas hotel, $$$ (“Triple-S”) Resort and Casino. He shares a story about working in isolation on the album in this “hotel.” The theme of gambling is in relation to the risks he had to pursue to be successful in his music career. The LP is filled with high quality production and exciting collaborations with Kaytranada, James Blake, DJ Paul, and more. – Gemma Mastroianni 11. Black Country, New Road – Ants From Up There 10. Wallows – Tell Me That It’s Over Wallows is nowhere near over with their sophomore album ‘Tell me that it’s over.”Melancholy lyrics and catchy instrumentations are riddled throughout the album giving a soundtrack to a young 20 somethings relationship with songs such as “Hard to Believe” with sharp violins leading to the thumping guitar and drums in the chorus. The album gets straight to the point with side A having a fast paced tone featuring songs such as “Especially you”, “At the End of The Day”, and “Marvelous.” The success of this album has lead the band to play festivals such as Coachella and Lollapalooza, and millions of streams. 9. Mitski – Laurel Hell Resident sad girl Mitski is back with another banger of a release to make you bawl your eyes out. Her guitar playing is much more prominent on this release seemingly putting more of a focus on the musicality of her songs with as much emphasis as her excellent lyrics. Songs like “Stay Soft”, “The Only Heartbreaker” and “Love Me More” all have a funky 80’s synth rock feel to it that will get you dancing while you’re in your feelings. – Dakota Arsenualt 8. CINDER – saucers for eyes 🇨🇦 saucers for eyes is the debut EP release from Toronto-based experimental post-punk band Cinder. Written by Sam Reilly and Robyn Bond (co-written by Sean Panacci and Daniel Copithorn), saucers for eyes was one of the strongest releases from the Toronto underground scene in 2022. The EP kicks off with Through the TV. The track begins with a mid-tempo rhythm section groove. Robyn Bond’s drum performance drives the song’s progression as it eventually opens up into huge atmospheric ambience. Cell Phone is the most aggressive track on the record, featuring an ironic critique of social media culture. Death of a Friend is a morbid song discussing the untimely suicide of a past companion. The EP concludes with the track Vaulted Pain, which deals with the bitter discomfort that follows the dissolution of a close friendship. saucers for eyes is a memorable EP with something for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to hear these tracks and more at a Cinder concert in 2023. – Jared Burke 7. Beyonce – Renaissance The seventh studio album from Beyonce is a modern classic. Evidently, this collection takes a ton of inspiration from dance music with each song transitioning and flowing smoothly from one to the other. Many of the tracks also take inspiration directly from house music with the progression and beats featured. Listeners appreciated Beyonce taking more of an experimental approach with this LP and it has certainly left an impact on the music scene. 6. Nilüfer Yanya – PAINLESS “PAINLESS” is by far one of the most unique sounding albums of the year. Yanya creates impactful music with texture, deeply personal lyricism, and a bit of a 90’s rock influence at times. Her unique voice (leaning on the deeper side) draws listeners in while she tells her story of heartbreak, and progresses through it with each track. With this only being her sophomore album, I couldn’t be more excited to see what else Yanya has in store. She doesn’t hold back when it comes to sharing her stories, and marching to the beat of her own drum with sound. – Gemma Mastroianni 5. The Smile – A Light for Attracting Attention It’s been six years since the last Radiohead album and in that time we’ve gotten three solo albums and six soundtracks from the individual members. While the band claims in various interviews that they may or may not come back, fans can rejoice that singer Thom Yorke and guitarist Johnny Greenwood formed a new side project called The Smile that kind of sounds exactly like a Radiohead release. It is more in line with their guitar based work that features jazz like that on OK Computer, Kid A or Amnesiac. Seriously, if you like Radiohead, you’ll love this album. Please come back Radiohead. – Dakota Arsenault 4. The 1975 – Being Funny in a Foreign Language After establishing their career as a band that wears many hats, each era of their work is thoroughly distinguished between sound, style, and aesthetic. On each artistic endeavor, The 1975 are keen to show listeners a new side to the band they know and love. Forever formidable, the Manchester quartet are at their very best on their fifth studio album, Being Funny in a Foreign Language. Drawing inspiration from the sounds of the American South, combined with their Northern English roots, they have conjured up an intricate concept that sounds both familiar and entirely reinvigorating at once.They’re embracing cliches, reflection, pop centric hooks, and as always, blistering saxophone solos. Accepting things for as they are and coming to terms with emotions in a blunt way, Healy’s lyricism is refined and reads almost as dialogue or diary entries (“I’m sorry about my twenties, I was learnin’ the ropes/ I had a tendency of thinking about it after I spoke”). – Emma Furrier 3. Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers It had been over 1,855 days since we had heard any new projects from the modern rap legend Kendrick Lamar, but his fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, was completely worth the wait. A double album, this project is formatted as a therapy session where Kendrick tells stories of battling grief, struggles with mental and physical health, abuse, relationship issues, homophobia, and sexual assault. Kendrick uses an incredible motif of “tapdancing around the conversation” throughout the albums first half eventually leading up to the iconic collaboration between Lamar and actress Taylour Paige in a very heated argument during “We Cry Together.” The 6-minute single shows a lot of similarities to the iconic Eminem single, “Kim,” and the listener feels caught in the middle of the endless hurdles of insults towards one another, with an astounding 85 uses of “fuck.” The album features some heavy topics but also some heavy hitters including “N95”, “Count Me Out” and “Silent Hill” but also includes some great features from Kodak Black, Baby Keem, Summer Walker and Ghostface Killah. – Josiah Botting 2. Wet Leg – Wet Leg No one had a bigger year than Isle of Wight’s newest export, Wet Leg. Founded in 2019 by longtime friends Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, the duo quickly established themselves as outspoken, witty songwriters and soft spoken, emboldened indie rockers. Their playful, whimsical energy is attributed to their close bond and eagerness to look inward in a self-deprecating, yet refreshingly sincere way. Their debut single “Chaise Lounge” blew up in mid 2021 and amassed streaming numbers in the millions. The band’s eponymous debut album was released April 8, 2022 to a mass of new fans and turning heads. With a refuting distinct sense of urgency and laid back attitude, there is a strong appeal to their sound that will leave you singing about “Wet Dreams”, twirling around your rooms, and rolling in the grass. – Emma Furrier 1. Warpaint – Radiate Like This After a six year hiatus and several solo projects, Warpaint seems to have not only reunited, but have returned to each other. Their long history as bandmates is reflected in the flowy ease within each song, sprinkled with their familiar brand of feminine angst. The instrumentality of this album lives on its own wavelength, let alone the stunning vocals (the four part harmony on “Melting” is to die for) and rich, aching lyrics. Radiate Like This may very well be their best work yet, showcasing a sonic sophistication that is enriched by the effortless symbiosis of the band as whole. In a word: Gorgeous. – Amanda McMillan

American multi-instrumentalist Lingua Ignota performed at Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church on December 19, 2022. All photos by Katrina Lat Setlist O Death Satan’s Jeweled Crown May Failure Be Your Noose Sorrow! Sorrow! Sorrow! Fragrant Is My Many Flower’d Crown Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet Main Set Many Hand The Order of Spiritual Virgins Repent Now Confess Now Man Is Like a Spring Flowe Nothing but the Blood of Jesus I Who Bend the Tall Grasses The Solitary Brethren of Ephrata Faithful Servant Friend of Christ Perpetual Flame of Centralia If the Poison Won’t Take You My Dogs Will O Ruthless Great Divine Director Pennsylvania Furnace Jolene

On December 8th 2022, Canadian pop singer-songwriter Tyler Shaw ended off his North Star tour with a majestic show at the Axis Club. He performed songs off of his eponymous album such as “Remember” and “Heaven”. Tyler also performed a stellar cover of Harry Styles’ “As It Was”. He was also supported by R&B singer Preston Pablo. All photos by John Mendoza. Preston Pablo

Australian Psych-Rock Band Pond from Perth, Australia played Lee’s Palace in Toronto earlier this week. Active since 2008, Pond is comprised of Nick Allbrook (lead vocals and guitar), Jay Watson (bass, synths and vocals), Shiny Joe Ryan (lead guitar and vocals), Jamie Terry (Keyboards, synths and vocals), and James Ireland (drums). Pond is well known for being closely affiliated with the popular Australian psych-rock band Tame Impala, as past and present members are long-time friends and frequent collaborators. Pond’s December 4th performance at Lee’s Palace was the group’s first time returning to Toronto since 2018, where they played at the Opera House. Los Angeles three-piece band Cryogeyser was the supporting act. Pond kicked off the night with an upbeat track, “America’s Cup”, featured on their 2021 studio album 9. The song made a great first impression, leaving the crowd excited for more. The band immediately followed with a faster track called “Rambo” (also found on album 9). During the performance, Nick Allbrook notably used a miniature megaphone as a vocal effect. Other notable tracks include “Waiting Around For Grace” and “Paint Me Silver”. Pond’s set was one of the most impressive acts I have personally seen recently. The band consistently brought high energy and enthusiasm to their performance. Pond routinely made efforts to engage with the crowd, with singer Nick Allbrook noting that their Toronto performance was their “best show of the tour so far.” Another observation I made was that Pond has cultivated a fantastic audience that was respectful towards both the band and fellow concertgoers. Pond’s performance was tight and punchy. The mix was fantastic, as every instrument cut through with a lot of clarity. As a guitar player myself, Shiny Joe Ryan’s performance stuck out positively to me. He is an incredibly versatile performer, effortlessly incorporating various playing styles from palm-muted rhythmic chords and intricate picking lines, to atmospheric ambient chords and whaling solos. Singer Nick Allbrook made great use of vocal processing throughout the show as well. Incorporating elements like delays and saturation gave his vocals a lot of depth in the mix. For anyone who enjoys psychedelic rock, Pond is a must-see show. Click here to listen to the deluxe edition of their most recent album “9” on Spotify. Photos by Gemma Mastroianni