Indie, Folk-Pop
Once noted by Paste Magazine as “a band to watch,” Jiants emerges as a compelling indie-pop trio from Toronto, led by the songwriting of former professional skateboarder Jesse Landen. Their fourth LP, Tall Tales, was engineered and produced by Gavin Gardiner (The Wooden Sky), and hit streaming services November 10th. In the notable track “The Hard Way,” Jiants weaves a narrative that epitomizes the classic “get your girl back” archetype.
The song is about recognizing the unique connection you have with someone. It grapples with the choice between taking a leap forward together or parting ways indefinitely. The underlying realization is that rekindling the relationship could either be the most rewarding decision or lead to mutual destruction, adding a layer of poignant contemplation to the musical narrative. The percussive shuffle lends itself to the catchy chorus and bubbly acoustic nature of the track as a whole.
Rock
Vancouver quartet Slightest Clue are torchbearers of modern rock n’ roll, with a lineup that seems improbable at first glance. Each member comes from diverse backgrounds, and contributes a unique blend of influences and experiences: a stage actor with a playlist spanning Talking Heads to Björk, a hook-obsessed former choir girl, an electrical engineer inspired by John Bonham, and a guitarist who, after a stint with ten other bands, found his musical home with this group. Eclectic to say the least.
Their hard-driving new single, “When You Wake Up,” which is an appetizer for their upcoming EP, came out of left field, hits from the get go with a killer guitar riff and soulful groove. From there, the almost jazzy lyrical flow offers a unique juxtaposition to the product as a whole. Being the first song written for the EP, it lays the foundation for a collection delving into the emotions of both falling into and out of love.
Roots Rock
Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, The Rumble Wagon delivers a fun and exciting blend of Americana, roots rock, folk, and soul, offering a little bit of most everything. Developing a reputation for their rich melodies and strong stage presence, the band harnesses influence from heavy hitting classic rockers and artists like Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen, and Van Morrison, with an equal affinity for more modern acts like Cake and Counting Crows.
The band’s sonic landscape is a testament to their broad musical appetites, and with that, they’ve produced their debut single, “Through the Dark.” The steady driving track offers a vibe of Blues Traveler meets Counting Crows, and the strength of the vocals guide the powerful track. Beyond conventional instrumentation, the band is known to incorporate unexpected elements such as old telephones, TV static, underwater cop dramas, and broken lenses in an effort to set their music apart.
Indie Pop-Rock
Naghmeh, an Iranian-Canadian artist, is known for her efforts as a singer-songwriter, poet, and community organizer. Initiating her solo career in 2016 in San Francisco, she courageously veered away from the corporate grind to chase her musical aspirations. Immersing herself in the world of rock n’ roll, Naghmeh would embark on a global tour across Europe and South America.
Following a year on the road and international collaborations, Naghmeh moved back to Montreal to focus on the next step of her career. Gathering a band, she performed throughout the city, while recording, co-producing, and releasing her debut album, Naghmeh and the Southern Shores, in 2019. Soon after the release of the album, her bandmates dispersed to different cities, prompting Naghmeh to interpret this as a poetic sign to conclude that chapter. The songs, always intimate reflections of her personal narrative, led her to the decision to release future music as a solo artist under the name Naghmeh.
Reflecting on her latest single, “Burn,” Naghmeh shares, “In 2019, I left an abusive relationship and in the rush to move out and distance myself from the person, I left a lot of things behind. Those objects became a thread connecting me to that ex and became his excuse to remain in touch, only to make me relive those traumatic experiences. One day, I realized I had started a whole new life and didn’t need any of the things that connected me to that home and that relationship, and I felt ready to let it all go and burn it.”
Featured photo: Jiants
