Well folks, my last Wednesday Listens post was back in January… holy! And let me say, a lot has changed since then.

If anyone knows me, music is a big part of my everyday life. With all the changes that have happened since January, music has been a big factor in guiding me through the redirection of many areas of my life; it helps validate what you’re feeling as you can find songs that relate to what you’re going through. Aight… with avoiding getting too personal with the context let’s get to the recos:

“Bubbles” – Hippo Campus

Hippo Campus have an interesting sound and I would love to see this song live. Fair warning – the bridge grabs you by surprise. Intention here being, from what I take from it, is that you have all of these things to say that they come out all jumbled out – your thoughts are bubbling over if you will. I paired this song often with “Buttercup” which is another favourite. Good for those that need a real boost to tackle their day.

“t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l” WILLOW feat. Travis Barker

Honestly, I’ve checked out a few more of WILLOW’s songs and her music has developed since “I whip my hair back and forth” days. Her latest album – lately I feel EVERYTHING brings on a more punk-rock vibe which is awesome to see how versatile WILLOW just is. Be sure to check out “Wait a Minute!” which has more of a psychedelic indie/chill vibe to it.

“Treat Me Like Fire” – LION BABE

Came across LION BABE a couple of months ago on a playlist and discovered I’m very late to the game (song came out in 2012). Regardless, happy with the discovery of this unique R&B duo.

If you like the above recos and are looking for a nearly 6hr playlist spanning back to oh 2016 and is completely all over the map: follow this playlist on Spotify here.

One of the artists I came across in 2020 was BabyJake. Introducing one song I love from him: MadHappySad

To me – this song encapsulates all the emotions someone in your life provides you. It’s about that person that when they give you attention, you are on top of the world. Then the comedown follows when they start drifting away making you mad for following the pattern, and eventually sad when they are absent. The vicious cycle repeats until you finally make the difficult decision to say goodbye.

The second song I leave you with is from Sampha. I came across this song after watching Insecure (which has a killer soundtrack each season). Sampha is a song artist, writer, and producer working with a number of musicians (Drake, Kanye West, Solange). Incomplete Kisses is one of the tracks from his first LP Process (released in 2017).

Incomplete Kisses is a song about a love not fully realized, but despite the song suggesting a missed romantic connection, it can relate to other aspects of our lives. What parts of your life are you over-analyzing and opportunities are you missing out on? Sampha is telling us to be spontaneous.

Oooh I haven’t posted one in a few weeks my loves. Let’s get to it, shall we? Because my thoughts have been driving me crazy lately!

One of my all-time favourite tracks off of the VS. mixtape. Bastille pairs with HAIM to bring us listeners to a delight of a soundtrack.

You don’t have to look any further//I’ve been waiting here for you for time//You don’t have to look any further//You’re missing what is right before your eyes

Hits it right on the head? Doesn’t? Once you realize the lyrics basically describe your life, you also realize the beat is super sick, and gets ya grooving in time.

“falling for you somehow”

The latest single from Milky Chance brings up some stellar beats. Milky Chance want their newest album to show the development of the band. Instead of pure electronic sounds, we are hearing more of a rock tone.

I love this take on Ellie Goulding’s “On My Mind.” I like how it’s less “pop-y” and there is more percussion.

Realizing the direction of this playlist, oooops. C’est la vie. Sadly.

Exited to see where this Toronto band goes. They give off a Runaways or Heart vibe. I love the bad girl feel to the song, and the keyboard tune? Yeah can’t deny those excellent sounds.

Which leads us to The Runaways. An iconic group breaking traditional feminity stereotypes in rock n’ roll. Look at these badasses on stage.

Another strong all-female group is HAIM. Three sisters with some stellar bass face if you watch ’em live. They’ve got strong vocals and work great together.

Oh wow. I haven’t posted one of these in a few months. I do apologize. So to get things back on track, here are three tracks that have been on loop this week.

LÉON

I’m really excited for this Swedish artist. Her debut album will be legit fire. Her tracks bring out raw emotion that no one wants to say out loud. Her vocals are unique and are definitely strong. I have listened to this song on repeat, I love the beat during the chorus, and the piano is complimentary.

Be sure to check out her debut single, “Tired of Talking.”

“If it’s love, it is rough. Why am I, not enough?”

Jessie Reyez

A Canadian artist that is making her mark with this strong single. Again, another female with raw emotion. This song is about being in love with someone that treats you poorly. A feeling most can relate to.

The xx

Glad to see The xx back with this single “On Hold.” A song about a broken relationship. The title suggests that the relationship is “on hold” much like a person being “on hold” on the phone. Do they stay on the line to wait for the call to resume, or do they hang up?

Fun fact: Hall & Oats is sampled in this song during the chorus.

Interested in more of what I’m currently listening to? Follow me over on Spotify.

This week only features two tracks. But, two amazing tracks.

I like to stay ahead of the music curb, so call me a music snob if you will. But let the record show I am showing you this band before they are big. Kaleo are going to be huge, and I am so looking to see their success. Indie folk band from Iceland. Some songs give off a Lumineers feel, others remind me of Bon Iver. They are without a doubt, musically talented. VOCALS are very pleasing.

One of my favourite memories is seeing these cuties at the Opera House two years ago! The small venue made their sound even bigger and more intimate. The crowd that was also there were truly there for the music, so it was a nice scene. KONGOS are a group of brothers, who have lived in South Africa for most of their life. However, were born in London, and are now based in Phoenix, Arizona! They have a good, alt sound, and aren’t afraid to bring the accordion into play. One of my fave songs off Lunatic is “I Want to Know.” Because, who doesn’t want to know?

I’ve been trying to figure out the direction I wanted E26 to take. I’ve decided, like always, indie alternative was the way to go, with a focus on Canadian musicians (#CanCon represent).

I’ve heard “Oh Cecilia” on the radio a few times, and kept meaning to write the band down as I could never find it when I searched later on. Man oh man is this song catchy and has a great sound to it. Like Kathy Byers, this song is a good tune to dance to. It has a smooth sound to it, and has an intoxicating feel too.

What adds to the fun? Kathy Byers is a dancing crossing guard in Toronto, and Born Ruffians are from MIDLAND. That’s right, Midland, Ontario. Some good ‘ol Canadian boys, no wonder I love their sound.

The Zolas are another favourite Canadian band, and I always find comfort in their music. This is a nice track that brings homage to Toronto. The Zolas always have strong lyrics with multiple meanings.

Down for getting dark cause the dark gets me//And all the other lovers make it so heavy//Takes a little emptiness to feel complete//When crowds come ever-thicker and liquor it comes free

You may have already heard “Swooner” on the radio, I know Indie88 has been playing it. It’s the title track off the album, and it’s also pretty swooooonish. Don’t you just hate it when someone swoons you? Swoon, what a good word.

Ahhh I have a mild crush on Half Moon Run. Their guitar strumming and plucking is seriously so in line with their tight drumming. Like The Zolas, Half Moon Run also has solid lyrics with deep meaning. I just can’t help but be in love with their second album.

Thank God for good music, eh? It really does keep me going, which is why I share it so often.