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Abraxas Reflux, Rotten
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If you’re anything like me, you’ve waited for two years to hear more music by Toronto-based Abraxas Reflux and their new EP Rotten does not disappoint. The band blends elements from hardcore punk, doom metal, powerviolence, and crust punk together beautifully to create four tracks chock full of mashable moments. They tackle mental health, identity, heartbreak, isolation, and the rising tide of fascism with viscerally poetic lyrics which are delivered perfectly by dual vocalists (and drummers) Krista and Chase who deliver some mind-blowing gutturals (especially on “Locust”) as they showcase their range. In just under 10 minutes, Rotten delivers a ton of catharsis and cements Abraxas Reflux as one of the most dynamic bands going now. • Em Moore
Benjamin McWebb, Shaw
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I love starting my day with music that helps me gradually wake up, especially as we enter the colder months. It provides a gentle comfort to build on as the day swells. Part of my slow morning routine has consisted of playing Benjamin McWebb’s wonderful debut, Shaw. It is a fantastic collection of songs that invites you to linger in the soft glow of morning light and gently awaken your senses. Though it’s only been out for a few weeks, it has left me excited to hear more from this emerging composer and jazz pianist. In just three short tracks, McWebb proves himself as a talented composer. Developed in the summer of 2023 and recorded with talented instrumentalists from Hamilton and Toronto, McWebb and his collaborators create a wonderful performance that is both rich and compelling. His work feels like a breath of fresh air and is a strong debut. Shelve beside other new wave and experimental jazz artists like Alfa Mist. • Weadee Mombo
Amanda Sum, does it make me naive if i’ve never been part of something where i’ve meant more to them than they did to me?
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Vancouver artist, Amanda Sum’s painfully titled release, does it make me naive if I’ve never been part of something where i’ve meant more to them than they did to me? is a collection of tellings from a hopeful romantic. The EP / Suite is composed of 18 songs in 16 minutes (including a reprise), and captures all the wonder and woe of perhaps the most universally messy of human pursuits; romantic love. The lyrics are colloquial yet profound, and unforgiving: “They think I’m foolish, I think they’re numb”. It’s heartbreakingly honest and frankly, hilarious, pulling jazzy modulations together with the playfulness of classical theatre and the grandiosity of pop. With a charming sincerity and technically impressive delivery, does it make me naive if i’ve never been part of something where i’ve meant more to them than they did to me? is part musical theatre, part confession, and all in. • Tia Julien
behemoth the cat, behemoth the cat
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Moving through the tracks of this debut EP feels like unfolding a map of memories—each song distilling eternity into a few minutes. Juxtaposing rural isolation with urban sprawl, behemoth the cat is a testament to the power of minimalist soundscapes flushed with ambient textures. The subtle, folk-inspired guitar carries a weight that seems to breathe the pulse of countless miles, weathered roads, and the spirit of nature itself. For fans of Grouper, Twinsistermoon, and Bob Dylan • Weajue Mombo
Warburton, “Time Of Your Life (The Renovation Song)”
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A few weeks ago, I listened to Warburton’s new single, “Time of Your Life (The Renovation Song),” and did a double take because the baritone woven throughout sounds remarkably like Matt Berninger of The National. While the latter has disappointed me of late (I could write a whole book), this track from Warburton is a fun change of pace. The alias of Australian-turned-Canadian indie artist Nathan Freeze-Mitchell, Warburton crafts a story-like song with simple, relatable lyrics. The accompanying music video adds a cool visual flair. It’s surprising how this song feels like a full five-minute track, yet it’s just shy of three. • Weadee Mombo
Mohsin Zaman, “still keep lovin’ on you”
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Last Tuesday, I attended Wavelength Music’s event, Reimagining Music Venues, a panel and town hall exploring the key findings of their recent study identifying financial constraints, market dysfunction, community value, and strategies to circumvent the decline in live venues and shows in Tkaronto. Between discussions, songer-singwriter Mohsin Zaman, graced us with a mesmerizing solo performance of original songs including one still in the works. Mohsin’s vocal and flowing guitar melodies transformed the room from tense to tranquil in an instant, perfectly punctuating that live performance is vital to our collective wellbeing. • Tia Julien
The Garrys, “Cakewalk”
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“Cakewalk” by Saskatoon’s The Garrys is the type of song you’d see at the end of a spaghetti western. Picture the main character discovering that the man who’d been helping him wrangle the herds has actually been the one opening the gate this whole time, but they’d already parted ways so there would be no chance at revenge. Cue the credits, rolling with “Cakewalk” on top. It’s a fun, bittersweet, twangy tune with a lot of personality. • Alyssa Gelata
Goddess, PINKNDARK
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Press play on Goddess’ new album PINKNDARK and be prepared to be transported into their world. The Hamilton-based band combines the urgency of punk with the attitude of glam rock and the crispness of electronic music to create a sound that pushes the boundaries of rock to new heights. The songs flow effortlessly into one another and you can feel all of the emotion that went into each one whether that’s the gloriously cathartic and chaotic anger of “FUCK YOU MAN” and “ACAFB”, the slow groove of “DOWN FOR TOO LONG” that personifies longing, or existential nature of the virtuosically noisy “CHATMODE” which will have you thinking about A.I. in a whole new way. Along with the emotions of the band, PINKNDARK will also put you back in touch with your own as you dance along. It is worth noting that this is also Goddess’ debut album and I, for one, am very excited to see what they do in the future. • Em Moore
cutsleeve, the parts we could not abandon
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cutsleeve is a loud and queer, East Asian rock band with a lot of synergy. Their EP, the parts we could not abandon was released in 2020 (shoutout to DOMINIONATED’s own, Jim Di Gioia for covering the release back then), but I was only recently introduced to cutsleeve at Wavelength Music’s event, Reimagining Music Venues, where they closed out a night of panel discussions about the decline in live shows in Tkaronto. Listening to cutsleeve’s set amplified the motivation to continue working towards infrastructure for live music, because this band deserves a tour. • Tia Julien
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