The Fool by SATE
Suffice it to say, this album sates my thirst for an ominous garage rock album with weird noisy interludes. At least, I sure hope that suffices to say because I can’t think of anything else.
Highlight: “0: Loofeht.”
3.25 stars out of 5.
TAO by Shad
Shad’s got “good bars,” as they say. Come to think of it, I’m not sure whether “bars” refers to the lyrics, the beat, or the cadence. But I’ve already written it down, so I’ll just leave it. Point is, this was an agreeable listen. The piano samples were upbeat & there were a few clever turns of phrase here and there. And, like, if I’m gonna pick an album to listen to precisely one time and then move on with my life, there’s a lot of worse options out there.
3.5 stars out of 5.
Communion by Sister Ray
A series of plaintive folk rock breakup songs that communicate the web of mixed emotions one might feel after the end of a relationship. “If anybody’s gonna get crucified, I want it to be me tonight,” Ella Coyes sings in “Crucified,” a lyric that resonates with my own tendency for self-condemnation after mistakes.
Highlights: “Good News,” “Jackie in the Kitchen,” “Prophecy.”
3.5 stars out of 5.
Life After by Snotty Nose Rez Kids
Snotty Nose Rez Kids are one of those bands I wish I liked more than I actually do. Young D and Yung Trybez offer socially conscious lyrics about the racism and economic precarity faced by First Nations people. On the other hand, they’ve got the tinny drums characteristic of trap music & I find many of their vocal inclinations kind of annoying. That’s on me, though.
Highlight: “Grave Digger.”
3 stars out of 5.
From Capelton Hill by Stars
Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell sounded positively bored here. Nothing musically or lyrically held my interest. This is background music par excellence.
2.5 stars out of 5.
Tongues by Tanya Tagaq
With this album, Tagaq confronts the horrors of the foster care system and of sexual abuse and denial of culture at residential schools. The eerie synths and guttural throat singing create a haunting atmosphere. It’s good, but I’m gonna be an asshole here and say that I wish the electronics were either more abrasive or more melodic. I don’t know.
Highlight: “Tongues.”
3.5 stars out of 5.
Dawn FM by The Weeknd
Not bad! Some decently catchy electropop. The lyrics are a complete non-factor (which makes it insanely funny to think about how many people contributed to them), but that’s not what most people are looking for in their dance music. So who cares?
Highlights: “Take My Breath,” “Sacrifice.”
3.5 stars out of 5.
Alpha by Charlotte Day Wilson
Wilson has a nice voice. However, as I’ve mentioned previously, R&B isn’t my favourite genre, so few of these songs did anything for me. It was still a not-unpleasant listen, though.
Highlight: “Changes.”
3.25 stars out of 5.
Well, that’s it. That’s all forty! Here are my ten favourites:
- I LIE HERE BURIED WITH MY RINGS AND MY DRESSES by Backxwash
- Talk Memory by BadBadNotGood
- LABYRINTHITIS by Destroyer
- I Thought of You by Julie Doiron
- Joyful Joyful by Joyful Joyful
- Depuis by Lydia Képinski
- PICTURE DE IPSE: Musique directe by Hubert Lenoir
- Hang Time by Cedric Noel
- Sewn Back Together by OMBIIGIZI
- THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND by PUP
LABYRINTHITIS is my preferred winner, but any of these would do just fine. Come to think of it, I’d tolerate any winner because this is just a silly little award, so who gives a shit. Thanks for reading.
ruminations of a sad oaf. 