“Conductors” by The Rural Alberta Advantage

For the last few months, The Rural Alberta Advantage has been teasing us with some new music, and now they have finally announced their upcoming album! And along with the news comes a brand new single, “Conductors” which is a hard-hitting, true to form tune from The RAA.

The Rise & The Fall, is the first full length album from the band in six years, and features the return of original member Amy Cole, re-joining Paul Banwatt and Nils Edenloff. The album drops October 6 on Paper Bag Records, and you can check out the lyric video for “Conductors” below.

Kirk

“Attention” by Talia Schlanger

I love when a press release makes me do a double-take… Talia Schlanger!?…like?…the one I know from CBC Radio 3, q, NPR and more?
Yep! And its a beauty of a track too.

“Attention” is the new single from the former radio host, from her upcoming debut Grace for the Going. After leaving her job in 2019, traveling Europe writing and singing, coming back in winter 2020 ready to record (and we know what happened then), she’s finally ready to release her music to the world.

She played an intimate show in Toronto, the same day the single was released, and hopefully this means more music (and maybe more shows?) in the future, ahead of the 2024 release date/

Christine

“What It Takes” and “Leave the Lights On” by Bend Sinister

Not content with releasing a pair of singles a couple months ago, Bend Sinister released two more tunes last week!

“What It Takes” is a fun, tongue-in-cheek song that asks the tough questions, while “Leave The Lights On” has a (relatively) restrained, but no less infectious, vibe.

Along with the new songs, Bend Sinister also release a brand new game! The in-browser rhythm game harkens back to the flash games of yore, as you take the band on their van to their next gig. Check it out here on their website.

Kirk

“Who Would You Be For Me” by Metric

We’re just over a month away from the new album Formentera II, from Metric out on October 13, and we have another track from the record.

I didn’t expect the acoustic beginning of the song, but when I read Emily Haines’ description of the track it made sense:
"“Who Would You Be For Me” is a throwback lullaby set in NYC in 2002. All the action takes place in Tompkins Square Park, in a subway car, and at the café on St. Marks Place where I worked as a waitress when we were getting our start.
Automatic behaviors and patterns are often fairly easy to flag in others but can be a riddle to spot in yourself. In life and in love, all the emphasis in your mind can default to being what someone else wants until it dawns on you to consider your own desire. I could be the girl for you, but who would you be for me?”
It’s a lovely, slow burner, that reminds me of Emily’s solo work a bit, but it’s definitely got that Metric-vibe.
They’ve announced some intimate shows in places like New York, Toronto and LA, but nothing on a full tour for the new album yet!

Christine