Features

Beachside skateparks, laidback attitudes, astronomical rent prices, and year round red sun. If I asked you to name one city in the world where all of the aforementioned apply, I’d bet you a handful of nickels that California crawls its way into your head first. You normally wouldn’t be wrong, but in this specific case, we’re talking about our Sunshine State: Vancouver, British Columbia.

As you may already know, a lot of metal bands are obsessed with violent imagery. Look no further than the album covers of bands like Cannibal Corpse and Exhumed for the most gruesome depictions of gore and violence. The subgenre of death metal takes inspiration from horror and slasher films, and its lyrics tend to describe scenarios of murder and torture. However, the music sparked a fascination with what’s inside the human body. This has led to an interest in medical science, with bands singing about biology and pathology, some taking the themes more seriously than others. So how did this happen?

“Simmer”, the first solo song from Paramore’s Hayley Williams’ solo project “Petals for Armor”, was just released on January 22nd, following a world premiere radio airplay on BBC Radio One. During a follow-up interview on the station, Williams stated that a full-length album will be released on May 8th, 2020, along with news of a tour.

The project was revealed through a series of cryptic hints taking place over the course of six months. Phrases like “I can’t breathe” and references to covering yourself in flowers were popping up on social media accounts of those close to the singer. 

As the decade comes to a close, we at CJLO, have taken the time to look back at the past 10 years to document our favourite albums, artists and movies. Join us on this blast from the past and see if you agree with our choices!

See you in the New Year! 

Alex hosts Ashes to Ashes every Tuesday from 8 p.m.

Photo Credit: Geneviève Grenier

Album titles can be a tricky thing to finalize. Along with its cover, an album’s title will ideally evoke some sense of what to expect when you listen to it. With Première apparition, Montreal singer-songwriter Laurence-Anne picked the most vividly descriptive title that I’ve heard in quite some time. Released in February 2019, her debut album title suggests the existence of an otherworldly nature to the artist’s particular set of alternative pop songs.

Montreal rapper Vendou may be releasing his third EP in a year and a half, but Trèdou, the artist’s latest EP, might be the one where he found his voice.