The haunting notes of holiday cheer are trickling into retail stores nationwide, but not to fear—2024 still has some great new music that doesn’t leave a lingering scent of tinsel and candlelight in its wake.
Though Spotify may be putting the final pieces of tape on your “wrapped,” and many artists have finished their tours, I’ve managed to keep my ears open for this year’s closing bars. Time’s almost up!
As always, it’s a bit of everything—my music taste is anything but predictable. From Montreal country to Brazilian punk, you certainly won’t be bored by what I’ve chosen.
Song: “Into Trouble, Outta Fashion,” Clay Hazey
If you’d asked me in my younger years, I would’ve sworn up and down that I hated country music. But, with a little bit of time, and a lot more maturity, the storytelling and connectivity of country and Western music has wormed its way into my heart, and it’s because of songs like this.
Clay Hazey’s (Clay Upex) latest release, “Into Trouble, Outta Fashion,” leads the listener through the growing pains of getting older, and everything changing—but with the hint that maybe it’s you who’s become different.
After seeing Clay Hazey live at The Grad Club just a few weeks ago, I’ve been listening to his music ever since. It’s a song that’s even better live—ed by an impressive band, Clay delivers clever lyrics with a warm voice that has just the right amount of gravel. This single has me hoping for a return to Kingston sometime soon.
Album: Mahashmashana, Father John Misty
Father John Misty, aka Josh Tillman, is back with his sixth studio album, Mahashmashana. The record’s name is a play on the Sanskrit word Mahāśmaśāna, meaning “great cremation ground.”
I didn’t know much of Tillman’s music, apart from “Real Love Baby,” and I wasn’t expecting to be so moved. It tackles love, and loss, capturing the feeling that we’re living in the apocalypse with heavy—yet hopeful—lyrics.
The title track, “Mahashmashana,” is a full chested, orchestral lament that’s intensely emotional with the gravity to suit a film score—fit for an epic reunion, or tragic loss on screen.
Though it seems to be Tillman’s most serious work yet, there are also groovy, upbeat numbers like “I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All,” and “She Cleans Up.” It’s the perfect record to get you through the holidays, and all the emotions that come with them.
Artist: Karen Dió
When Karen Dió was recommended to me by one of my most knowledgeable music friends, I knew I must be onto something good.
Getting her start as the front-woman of rock band Violet Soda, before their split in 2021, Karen Dió is flourishing as a solo artist. Recently ing Sum41 and Wargasm on tour, Dió’s music is my own personal revival of Le Tigre, Bikini Kill, and Voodoo Queens—encapsulating feminine rage.
Her recent EP, My World, has been fuelling my November funk, its biting lyrics and brash sound providing the perfect soundtrack for stomping through puddles and screaming at each day’s growing workload.
Featuring on the cover of NME this week, she’s an artist on the rise. This is music to make your speakers shake—start with “Sick Ride,” “My World,” and “Stupid.” Dio describes herself as “your favourite Brazilian punk rocker,” and frankly, I agree.
From the Vault: “One of These Days,” Pink Floyd
You don’t need many words to make a statement.
On this day in music history, in 1971, Pink Floyd released the only single for their sixth studio album, Meddle’s “One of These Days.”
Apart from one powerful line, the over-five-minute song is entirely instrumental, yet takes you on a dynamic journey with its rallying battle cry, and eventual resolution—whistling wind bookending the composition.
Featuring double-tracked bass guitar that’s the heart and soul of the song, every element is expertly executed, making for a chilling, eerie feeling that creates anticipation for the rest of the record.
The song’s singular lyric is distorted and creepy, with drummer Nick Mason declaring, “one of these days, I’m going to cut you into little pieces,” allegedly the band’s jab at BBC Radio DJ Sir Jimmy Young.
Though masterful, and more than standing the test of time, “One of These Days,” reminds me not to get on Pink Floyd’s bad side any time soon.
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