Tokyo Police Club – Hot Tonight

Honestly, I must say, there is no debate when it comes to Tokyo Police Club. Their sophomore album entitled Champ was by far one of the best Alternative Rock/Canadian Music albums in 2010, and I think all TPC fans can attest. Classic’s like “Wait Up (Boots of Danger)”, “Bambi”, “Breakneck Speed”. Yes, Elephant Shell had it’s moments but when I heard “Hands Reversed” for the first time, with its slow haunting back beat, matched with wide mouthed (meant as a compliment I swear) raspy voice of David Monks, Champ became more then an album to me, it was the coming of age album for the NewMarket Ontario natives of Tokyo Police Club.

After 4 years in the making, including a nine-minute lyrical video of “Argentina (Pts. I, II, and III)“, Tokyo Police Club is back and set to release their third album entitled Forcefield, and to that I say…FINALFREAKINGLY! Tokyo Police Club automatically reminds me of the summer, and their new single “Hot Tonight” couldn’t come at a better time (damn Canadian weather). Answer and response guitar riffs, catchy ooh’s in chorus, that familiar Monk voice, “Hot Tonight” is a short but sweat teaser of what is yet to come.

For Fans Of: Hollerado, Ok Go, The Arkells

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PS: ForceField set to release on March 25

Running Red Lights – Under The Wire

Not too long ago, I remember walking into the Anthropology apparel store with my girlfriend, having a thorough conversation on our way in. All of a sudden, I hear a song through their speakers that caught my ear and I literally stop in my tracks, leaving my lovely girlfriend all alone talking to herself; looking like a crazy. Now I didn’t hear the fine folks of Running Red Lights at Anthropology (whom play wonderful music might I add), but the same event happened to me once I heard their song Under The Wire.

Lead by charismatic vocalist Kevin Howley, backed up my the warm hearted voice of Scarlett Flynn,  Running Red Lights takes a few pages from bands like Stars & Of Monsters and Men, crumbles them in a heaping pile of awesomeness and starts a bonfire. With all members from the outskirts of Eastern Canada before migrating to Toronto, Running Red Lights is just another example of why Canadian music is at the top of it’s game. Look out for these guys in 2014 as they release their first LP entitled “There’s a Bluebird In My Heart” on January 14th.

For Fans Of: Rah Rah, Stars, Of Monsters and Men

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Matt Pond – Specks

I admit, it’s been a while since I posted a song I wanted to share with you. It’s not that I haven’t found any New Music For The Win, it’s just that a little me time goes a long way for a persons’ morale. Better yet, I wanted to be selfish and keep all this great music to myself =). I lie, I missed this, I missed you and it’s comforting to know that New Music is still inspiring as ever. Not to mention that old music you have yet to hear is still New Music For The Win. (How about that for a re-introduction!)

I’ve had Matt Pond‘s single Specks on repeat for quite some time now. I have learned it on guitar and even tried to sing it myself, but trying to recreate Matt Pond‘s uncanny soulful singing is nearly impossible. To have a voice like that sing an upbeat song like Specks, underneath a two chord progression is simply comforting.

(live acoustic version)

“Or when the cardinal chides the moon”, listen to the way he dances with the words, how Matt plays with the pitch, pretty inspiring stuff.

For Fans Of: Ray LaMontagne, Matt Costa, Jack Johnson

Ps. It’s great to be back, please feel free to share new music with me and thanks for all the emails, greatly appreciated =).

 

The Royal Concept – Shut The World

To often do I notice the negativity in people now a days. No longer is it common for someone to show simple gratitude or politeness to one another, and when it does ensue, we tend to gawk in awkwardness. I wish it was the other way around. I wish it was the norm for everyone to show common courtesy to one another because who knows. Who knows what that the girl you just brushed off rudely is going through, who knows what that man you are ignoring is going through, who knows what that women you just cut off is going through.

(Play from 1:14 mark for beginning of song)

This may just sound like a rant to the human race, but let’s face it, we can all be a little bit better. The boys from The Royal Concept explains it on Shut The World: “Where gonna live and die young!” The world was not meant for us to mistreat it, it was meant for us to cherish it, and it starts with each other.

For fans of: One Republic, Phoenix, The Fray

Ps: My apologies for the video quality, there was no actual audio for the song. Check out The Royal Concept for all their music, it’s worth it I promise!

#NewMusicForTheWin

The Almighty Rhombus – Down South

It should come to no surprise on how much I love Canadian music. It’s just happier, smarter, catchier, and you can tell it comes from the heart; I swear; they should hire me as and advocate for Canadian Music. Either way, my love for CM (yup, just made and acronym for it) runs deep, and usually I don’t have to look very far to find great CM to share. But those times when the music finds me, its an even better feeling.

The boys from The Almighty Rhombus recently released their full-length LP Lucid Living, and their first track “Down South” instantly got me hooked. A short track comprised of three to four chord progressions, double time hi-hat and “oh’s” in the chorus; recipe for disaster right? I thought so too, but after listening to “Down South”, I was intrigued to listen to the rest of the album; glad I did.

For fans of: Tokyo Police Club, Matt & Kim, Said The Whale

PS: The video is an acoustic version of the song, couldn’t find the original audio, though I thought this did justice.

#NewMusicForTheWin

The Zolas – Knot In My Heart

A little funky, a little creepy and a lot of awesome. That is how I would describe Knot In My Heart by The Zolas. After hitting a little dry spot trying to find new music to share, the team from Indie88 pulls through and introduces me to this Vancouver based duo of Zachary Gray and Tom Dobrzanski.

It never ceases to amaze me how talented Canadian artist are. Anything home grown is good enough for me.

For Fans Of: Hollerado, Ok Go, Kaiser Chiefs

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St. Lucia – Wait For Love

Inspiration comes quite sparingly now-a-days don’tcha think? You either have someone you admire give shady advice, or notice that everyone is out there for their own; it’s a shame but it doesn’t mean you can’t find inspiration else where. The story/journey behind Jean-Phillip Grobler (a.k.a St.Lucia) is an inspiration on it’s own, learning classical music at a very young age, traveling the world with his choir group, arriving at South Africa to England and finally to New York; but it’s his music that inspires me the most.

“Wait For Love” may sound like just another pop song with a great melody and catchy hook, but it’s the story behind it that counts. St.Lucia left his roots, arrived at a foreign place to do what he loves. Isn’t that what we all strive to do to some extent. So I say forget the naysayers and ignore the negativity, do what you love and leave the rest behind.

For Fans Of: Passion Pit, Ellie Goulding, Cut Copy

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HIGHS – Summer Dress

Come on guys, it’s time to admit it, summer is no longer with us and we must prepare for Winter (enter Game of Thrones Quote). Those warm summer nights will here by turn into cold winter frostbites. I for one am a huge fan of the winter festivities: snow ball fights, building snowmen with obscene genitals, tobogganing and oh those large Michelin jackets; but seeing my girlfriend in that flow-ey flower Summer Dress is enough for me to miss Jaugust (Cross between July & August).

Toronto based band HIGHS lets me relive those moments of warmth, colour and allergies in Summer Dress. The a-cepella breakdown between Doug Haynes and Karrier Douglas is a beautiful exchange of harmony and musicianship. Still awating news about a full length LP, lets just hope I don’t have to wait until next summer!

For Fans of: Ra Ra Riot, Rah Rah, Lord Huron

PS. You can check out HIGHS EP here: http://highsmusic.bandcamp.com

#NewMusicForTheWin

The Senators – The London Bridge

Sometimes you just need a breath of fresh air. A little breather that’ll take the pressure off your shoulders and ease some tension. The Senators, lead by brother duo of Jesse and Rooster Teer, give you a refreshing take of the indie/folk genre that we all know and love (think Mumford and Sons). Their album Harsher than Whiskey/Sweeter than Wine is gaining national attention, and for good reason.

It’s been a while since…well since Sigh No More where I could listen to the whole album without pressing skip. “The London Bridge” is just one of many tracks off Harsher than… that’ll let you breath a little easier.

For Fans Of: Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Edward Sharp & the Magnetic Zeros

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She & Him – Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me

Do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong era; that today’s choice in fashion and music just doesn’t suit you? I for one feel like this generation was just not meant for me. What I would do to go back to an easier time where discos, roller skates, leather jackets and combing back my greasy tattered hair was the norm.

She & Him‘s version of Mel Carter‘s “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” makes me wonder how different it may have been back then. Just think, this was the music that made people dance, made audience cheer, and gave a reason for people to spend the night out. Huh, how times have changed.

For fans of: Zooey Deschanel, Regina Spektor, The Shins

PS. This is Mel Carter‘s original  “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”

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