Forgiving me for bringing sports into this, but I must say that my attention has been largely occupied with Leafs playoff hockey over the last week or two. Doesnât matter now because they choked (again) so now I can fill the giant puck-sized hole in my life with more music (or possibly more work and child rearing⊠yeah, probably those things).
Thereâs a meme from Twitter that contrasts the enjoyment of reaping with the downsides of sowing the come-uppins resulting from your previous actions. In the case of this weekâs note, the sowing has no downsides - I previously highlighted a lot of singles from the artists below and now theyâve got albums out. Itâs like doing a bunch of research for a paper ahead of time and then sitting down later to write it realizing youâve already done the hard part⊠as opposed to researching AND writing for the 12â18 hours immediately preceding the due date which is absolutely what I did in my academia days.
đ Goings On About Music
Let us take a look at some new(ish) albums and singlesâŠ
đż Albums
Dayglow - Harmony House ( Apple | Spotify )
I stand by my earlier characterization of Dayglowâs sound as being straight out of the school of sounding like Hall & Oates (speaking of the Leafs!). Close To You especially, but the rest of the album is full of feel-good 80s-styled upbeat synthy tracks that, if itâs your thing, will brighten even the worst of your moods (speaking of the Leafs!).
fanclubwallet - Hurt is Boring ( Apple | Spotify )
Just a quick five song EP (one of which I included in a previous note) from our nationâs capital. Filled with chords that sound ever-so-slightly out of key (but arenât) and off-time (but arenât) and an unassuming vocal quality that gives this absolutely polished album an unpolished feel.
Madisyn Gifford - Learning to Exist ( Apple | Spotify )
In keeping with the previous two albums, I also featured a single from Madisyn Gifford in a previous note. At the time I mentioned that I got a bit of an Amy Winehouse vibe from her vocals but listening to the full album Iâd like to correct the record and say thereâs way more Adele than Amy. Now, thatâs not to say sheâs in the same league as either of those two (she isnât), just that I noticed similarities. The Voulez-Vous single was synthy, poppy, and upbeat, but taking the album as a whole, itâs features her vocals way more than the music. Itâs not necessarily an album youâd put on to unwind and relax, but it is definitely slower than what I was expecting.
đ” Tracks
Lord Huron - Mine Forever
I didnât skip this album last week - at least when it comes to listening to it. I listened to it and I really liked it. I wasnât worried about not highlight it because I knew that if this kind of music appeals to you, it was probably already on your radar (and I had a hunch it would be covered in another place where I know I share a lot of readers). One thing I couldnât escape - especially with this track - is how familiar the music sounded. Itâs new, obviously, but it sounded like I had heard it dozens of times. I finally placed it - and I donât mean this in a negative way - but this track is modern-day Roy Orbison.
Elliott Brood - Runaway
The vocals are unmistakable - presuming youâre familiar with Elliott Brood - but the rest of the tracks meanders through western-styled slowly-strummed chords and doo-wop inspired choruses. The worst part is that the song seems to end just as youâre getting into it.
đ§ In My Queue
I came to learn of Frank Turner late in their career with the song 1933, a sort-of anti-Trump, anti-facist anthem featuring an all-time great lyric about dumb people with their heads buried in the sand, âDonât go mistaking your house burning down for the dawnâ and now Iâve stumbled across his new single thatâs a different kind of anthem - one about getting back out their and drinking with the lads⊠Coeur De Pirate released an instrumental piano album a few weeks ago but sheâs back now with music featuring her best (in my opinion) instrument, her voice⊠The Arkells continue their string of singles and this one has a vocal track that sounds like it was recorded with Max singing across the room from the actual microphone. I thought at first something was wrong with my headphones but I guess it was just what they were going for. Regardless, solid Arkells track and I welcome any and all references to the âIrish goodbyeâ in popular culture⊠and, as usual, songs from the singles and albums noted above.
Elliott BROOD - Runaway
Lord Huron - Mine Forever
fanclubwallet - Car Crash in G Major
Frank Turner - The Gathering
Arkells - All Roads
Dayglow - Medicine
Madisyn Gifford - Already Gone
CĆur de pirate - Plan Ă trois
Subscribe to the In My Queue playlist on Apple Music or Spotify. Itâs updated weekly with the new tracks.
Check out my profile Apple Music or Spotify for links to the playlists from previous weeks.
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