The DOMINIONATED Newsletter is a monthly(ish) round-up of music and creativity from across the country, bringing reviews and recommendations from our writers right to your inbox. Enter your email address below to subscribe now.
CORRECTION: In the May 2024 edition of our newsletter, we incorrectly identified the release date for Future Star’s album, It’s About Time!. The album was released on July 5, 2024, and we apologize to Future Star for the error.
ambroise, la premiére caresse goûte toujours la neige
♫ Listen
Though I am not french speaking, the soft deliberance on ambroise’s album la premiére caresse goûte toujours la neige immediately spoke to me. Characterized by lengthy vocal phrasing, weighty keys, and a persistent breath being passed slowly through the bellows of an accordion, this experimental, jazz-folk album speaks to the beauty in simplicity. • Tia Julien
Cross Dog, All Hard Feelings
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Peterborough-based hardcore punk trio Cross Dog come out of the gate swinging on their third album All Hard Feelings and only get stronger as the record goes on. The band kicks out 10 wonderfully heavy tracks full of stellar bass riffs, incredible drumming, beyond amazing vocal delivery, and perfectly crafted noise and synth parts (especially on “Jane Roe”). They pull no punches with their lyrics as they fiercely advocate for reproductive rights and bodily autonomy, deal with personal betrayal, battle apathy, open up about mental health, and fight for an end to all forms of systemic oppression. All Hard Feelings serves as a reminder that change does not happen overnight but a better world – both inside of ourselves and in society at large – is possible when we remember that we are not alone and are stronger when we come together. • Em Moore
Mint Simon, “BAD”
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If you’re like me, pop music just hits differently in the summer. Mint Simon’s “unabashedly queer” song “BAD” dances with confidence and is the perfect addition to your summer playlist. Warning, this track may cause you to: strut down the street like a runway model; tell your crush you think they are cute; spontaneously change your hair colour. Sick of having a BRAT Summer? Why not try a “BAD” one instead. • Laura Stanley
basque, Pain Without Hope Of Healing
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Hailing from Kitchener, Ontario, Basque is among the bands breathing new life screamo music and this is extremely apparent on their debut album Pain Without Hope of Healing. The band effortlessly blends together elements from post-hardcore, math rock, noise, emo, and traditional skramz to create a fresh, dynamic sound that pushes the experimental nature of the genre to new heights. The musicianship of the band members is on full display as they go from expertly crafted, chaotically expressive noise to intricately constructed guitar parts. Everything that Basque does on Pain Without Hope of Healing, from the arrangements to the lyrics to the samples they choose to include, is chock full of meaning and deserves your full attention. If you like heavy music, you’d better be keeping your eye out for Basque. • Em Moore
Dark Mean, “Working Hard”
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Reminiscent of the Glorious Sons, Dark Mean has a knack for easy-to-belt choruses and relatable lyrics. “Working Hard”, released earlier in March, is an anthem for those who can’t seem to get ahead; who feel like they need to apologize for things going sideways even though it’s not their fault. • Alyssa Gelata
The Anti-Queens, Disenchanted
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It is impossible not to feel like you’ve been struck by lightning (in the best way possible) when you listen to The Anti-Queens’ second album Disenchanted. From start to finish the Toronto-based punk rockers command your attention with killer riffs, infectious harmonies that are impossible not to sing along with, and tremendous vocal delivery that highlights the range of Emily Bones and Valerie Knox’s vocals. The lyrics on this album are some of the best and most powerful that they’ve ever written whether they are spotlighting the systemic oppression faced by Indigenous people in Canada and the false version of history we are taught on “Crusade” (which features a guest spot from Tracy A of Cross Dog), exploring the bittersweet nature of love on “Love’s Heavy Burden”, tearing into mansplainers (and anyone with a superiority complex) on “Saviour”, or talking about mental health on “Disenchanted”, “Overthinking”, and “Magnolia”. There is no doubt that the Anti-Queens are one of the most exciting bands active right now and the 13 tracks on Disenchanted will leave you wanting more. • Em Moore
Dana Gavanski, LATE SLAP
♫ Listen
More questions are raised than answered on Dana Gavanski’s Late Slap. Released in the Spring, Gavanski’s third album is bewildering (what IS a “late slap”?) and beautiful folk? Rock? Pop? What’s unmistakable is Gavanski’s ability to entrance you with her songs. You never quite know where she’s going but it’s thrilling to go along for the ride. • Laura Stanley
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