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(Interview) Flara K Tell Stories About a Growing Need for Deeper Connection on New EP
Photo credit: Philippe Thibault
Montreal based pop/R&B duo Flara K (pronounced Flair-ah K) consists of Sam Martel and Collin Steinz, partners in both creativity and life. The project is an identity for the two to explore ideas and embrace originality. After releasing a few one-off singles, the duo explores growth lyrically and sonically on their debut EP Anxious, Irrational, Fashionable, released in fall 2020.
Flara K is creating music that speaks to moments people feel every day and tell stories about a growing need for deeper connection, all the more important during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing influence from artists across genres such as Whitney Houston, James Jamerson, and Young the Giant, they’ve crafted a sound full of strength and sentimentality that blends nostalgic R&B with modern, soul-infused pop. CJLO spoke with the duo about their new EP, the pressures of social media, and what they’re working on in 2021.
Anxious, Irrational, Fashionable is the first collection of songs by Flara K, after a few singles in the past couple of years. What sets the songs on the EP apart from the material you previously released?
Sam: We really tried not to put any pressure on the creation process for ourselves for this EP. We wanted to have as little creative barriers as possible and really just let the ideas flow no matter how weird or out there they might have been. I think that really allowed us to explore another side of our creativity that we had never tapped into. Just going for whatever idea we felt rather than over analyzing and judging every bit of it (which is still a work in progress). That was a really pivotal moment for us in the making of this EP.
Collin: I think Sam nailed it. We were also collaborating with a lot of other musicians during the creation process, and the people we were surrounded by were so inspirational that we really wanted to push ourselves to explore what we could do differently.
Despite its sugary melody suggesting a love song, “For a Minute” actually deals with the pressures of constantly maintaining a social media presence, and its effect on the duo’s mental health. Do you find the pandemic has lowered that pressure to always be online, or does it only exacerbate the problem?
Sam: Ooh, that’s a tough one. I think a bit of both. I feel like the fact that everyone is home all the time and online a lot more definitely makes me (as an artist) feel like we should always be doing something or saying something, otherwise we’ll get forgotten in the fast paced and ever changing trends. However, knowing that everyone is at home takes a small amount of pressure off. I think to a certain degree there will always be a small amount of self-inflicted pressure for artists to have a great online presence in this era, which is why we wrote “For a Minute.” We wanted to shine a light on the moments where that break is needed because I think a lot of people feel that.
Collin: Yeah, it definitely feels like a bit of both. We did an Instagram Live tour this fall where we travelled across Canada in an RV, stopping in the major cities along the way to host live performances and interviews. It was super powerful in helping us grow our network, especially while in a pandemic. Now being home, there’s a sort of self-imposed pressure in the back of my mind where I think how social media is this super powerful tool, and if we’re not using it then we’re not working hard enough, or making the most of the tools at our disposal. I guess for us it may have exacerbated the problem, but we definitely go out of our way to make sure we find a healthy balance.
Mental health is actually a common theme throughout your songs (e.g., “Lost”), and because of the pandemic, it feels like there’s been more of a focus on mental health than ever in 2020. We’ve all had to develop our own coping mechanisms to deal with the current COVID-19 reality. How have you both gotten by since the pandemic began?
Collin: I’ve read a bunch of books that I had been meaning to read, and that felt great. I feel like every time you embrace a new book, the ideas hang around your mind and it forces you to think and view things in a different light. I find this whole experience super fun and fulfilling to go through, so that’s definitely helped me a lot.
Sam: I’ve been reading a lot as well, but mostly it’s been a lot of cooking and baking for me. Kinda helps me focus my mind in a different way.
Anxious, Irrational, Fashionable is filled with songs that are 100% certified bops! At its core, what is it that makes a perfect pop song to you both? Do you have a favorite song or artist that you think best represents the form?
Collin: It depends on my mood! I’ll go through a phase where I think Carly Rae Jepsen has created the perfect pop song, but then listen to Emotional Oranges on repeat and think they have tapped into something super special. So at the moment, “West Coast Love” by Emotional Oranges or “Pretty Please” by Dua Lipa would be my picks.
Sam: I have to agree with Collin, it definitely depends on my mood too but Collin’s picks are pretty spot on for me as well.
Spotify has been in the news recently when it comes to their practices in paying (barely) artists for their work. What are your thoughts on Spotify and the age of streaming, as an artist but also as a fan and consumer of music?
Collin: This is pretty tough because we have some friends who have found a ton of success on Spotify and it has brought them some financial stability which they may have not ever had received from their music otherwise. You can release your song on Spotify without paying for a publicist, radio tracker, etc., and still do really well. At the same time, I’m sure they would love it if they were paid better for their art so they wouldn’t have to take on a full-time or part-time job and just concentrate full-time on music.
Sam: As a consumer I love Spotify. I’ve discovered so many amazing artists through some great playlists. Though, as an artist I definitely feel torn on some level. It’s become such an important pillar in how you’re judged as a “successful” artist, so it’s tricky.
COVID-19 has obviously caused mayhem on all our lives, and as artists you both understand that more than most. That said, is there any music or non-music related phenomena popularized during the pandemic that you hope continues once this is all over?
Sam: I hope wearing masks continues haha. I like the idea of being able to wear a mask in crowded places whenever I want without anyone judging, is that weird?
I’ve read that you’re both already hard at work writing new songs. Without revealing too much, will these newer songs continue in the same vein as the ones on Anxious, Irrational, Fashionable, or will they be heading in a different direction?
Collin: We were fortunate to be able to co-write with other artists during the pandemic, and at this one writing session I noticed how the artist approached his ideas with almost a sense of invincibility that was completely inspiring to me. I’ve always struggled with my creative process – second guessing it, or thinking it wasn’t good enough and just letting the idea die. Being surrounded by people who didn’t think this way made me want to feel this way, so we’ve been trying to tap deeper into that creativity and further eliminate any barriers we still hang on to. Anxious, Irrational, Fashionable I feel, was just a starting point. While I think we will always carry a bit of that pop vibe with us, our creative process is always evolving and I think the new material will inevitably be a reflection of that.
Sam: We’re always trying to evolve and grow as artists, so I definitely think the new material will be an evolved and extended version of what we began tapping into with Anxious, Irrational, Fashionable.
Anxious, Irrational, Fashionable is out now (independent).
Alex Viger-Collins is the host of Ashes to Ashes, your home for modern pop in all its forms, every Tuesday at 8:00 PM EST.
TV Freaks bring raw, vivacious energy to their fourth album People
“For me, (punk) is doing what you want to do unabashedly,” TV Freaks frontman Dave O’Connor said in a 2014 interview with The Silhouette. It is this same attitude that has carried the Hamilton band through a decade of feverish and brazen garage punk records. Their latest, People, comes five years after the release of their previous full-length album, 2015’s Bad Luck Charms. Despite this hiatus, TV Freaks have not lost their footing. People is both a welcome return and a new beginning for the punk rockers, carrying the same frenetic energy that has come to define their sound, while simultaneously refining it. Clocking in at just over 30 minutes, People is a concise, albeit short record. It uses that time very wisely, however, not wasting a single moment of its brief run time. Here, TV Freaks give us ten tracks of pure, unadulterated garage punk that blaze along with a fervent intensity. It is an album jam-packed with catchy hooks, crunchy guitar riffs and hollering vocals.
The album opens with the track “Destined for Stardom”, a facetious ode to the band’s quest for fame. O’Connor sings of how he has “always known” that he is “destined for stardom”, despite detractors telling him otherwise. If he could “just have that hair”, or “do that dance”, then he’d be closer to the top. Although tongue-in-cheek, it is a tad ironic that People is easily the band’s most accessible album to date. Still, fans will be happy to know that the grit and veracity of previous records is not lost. “Souvenir” carries things along at a breakneck pace, led by an incredibly powerful guitar and bass riff that will have you tapping your toes and longing for the days of live shows. Tracks like “Heart of Gold” and “Capital Eye” showcase the band’s ability for writing memorable choruses, while “Grain of Sand” flexes the band’s melodic muscles. People’s greatest strength, though, is its simplicity. There is something delightfully refreshing about a record that is so direct and overt in its presentation yet still manages to remain captivating until the end. For the punk or garage rock enthusiast, People is one not to be missed.
Recapping the 2020 Montreal International Documentary Film Festival (Virtual Edition)
One of the last film festivals that I cover every year, the Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) happens to be the one that I look forward to the most. There are some cinephiles that don’t connect with documentaries, however, for me they are a source of entertainment and enlightenment on topics that shape our social space today. Running from Nov. 12 to Dec. 2, this year’s 23rd edition of the festival offered different thematic weeks all throughout and highlighted some great films to put on my best of year list.
City Hall from director Frederick Wiseman was a part of the Seeking Communities theme of week one and was the first film that I was eagerly anticipating, despite not knowing the runtime. Clocking in at just over 4 hours and 32 minutes, this is one of the longest films I have seen this year, and possibly in my lifetime. However, it is an important one even though some of the dry subject matter of the film is about civil servants, the government of Boston, and town hall events that might not be of interest to everyone. Wiseman also focuses on ethnic, climate and housing issues in Boston and chooses a chronicle approach with a look through the camera at the mayor of Boston Marty Walsh, who is the strong symbol of Boston Strong throughout the film. Through these ideas, Wiseman shows that even uncertainty in Washington does not dictate the positive changes that can be made in Boston’s communities. There are some great community moments from the citizens at town hall events but also a mayor who never leaves the constituents who elected him as he discusses all issues and ideas. Unlike some other political figures, Mayor Walsh makes a candid point to discuss gun violence on film, making this one of the best scenes of the year for me. If you haven’t seen this film and have the time to divide the length into parts, definitely check out one of my favourite documentaries of the year.
My next documentary selection comes from the second week’s theme Contemplating Dystopia. Documentaries have the power to examine historical moments in time and reconcile with the aftermath of events. This can be said about Me and the Cult Leader from director Atsushi Sakahara. As a victim and survivor of the Aum Shinrikyo (also known as Aleph) cult’s 1995 sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway, Sakahara decides to meet up with Araki Hiroshi. He is the current spokesperson of the cult and Sakahara turns the documentary into a road trip where both men visit their respective hometowns. There are some quiet introspective moments and tough questions shared between these two men who develop a bond during their travels.
Sakahara’s style can be seen as a parallel to the documentary filmmaking methods of Michael Moore, in regards to getting those human moments through tough questions. An example would be how both men want to reconcile with the past, including Hiroshi meeting Sakahara’s parents, and Sakahara convincing Hiroshi to connect with his parents. The film comes to a powerful climactic ending when Sakahara and Hiroshi revisit the site of the attack with a media presence where both men reconcile with the aftermath of the attacks all these years later. Me and the Cult Leader is a powerful documentary that takes on the lens of reconciling with past historical events.
The third week’s theme was Redefining Intimacy. Director Kazuhiro Soda follows up with his latest film Seishin 0 (Zero), a sequel to his 2008 film Mental. The first half of the documentary checks in once again with Dr. Yamamoto’s psychiatric clinic, as he must help his patients while dealing with the struggles of his own retirement. The second part of the film follows Dr. Yamamoto in his private life as he cares for his wife who suffers from dementia as he also grapples with the notions of getting older. Having not seen the previous film, Soda reminds the audience of the personal work and human connections that Dr. Yamamoto has had with his patients and also his life’s work in mental health. The second half is a coda of personal reflection of his work that has some heartfelt moments between Dr. Yamamoto and his wife who helped him through his career of caring for his patients.
Finally, another film that was brought to my attention in the Redefining Intimacy thematic week was the animated short film from director Robin McKenna, Thanadoula. The short story follows Natalie and her desire to become an end-of-life care giver. Thanadoula takes on a personal approach for Natalie as a meditative experience, as a way of feeling closer to her sister that has passed away. Through photographs and animation videos that are superimposed on the screen the film finds its core thematics about grief, loss, care and compassion through poetic meditation. The film will be made available soon online through the National Film Board of Canada.
Just like any good film there are the conversations that happen after viewing them between audience members. This is as important with this year’s RIDM festival, as it showcases documentary films that are topical to our ever-evolving society. Here’s hoping that the conversations resume between cinephiles of documentary films in the 24th edition of RIDM when the theatre venues open again next year.
Remi and Danny host At The Movies, which can be heard every Tuesday morning from 8:00 - 9:00AM. Tune in for discussions about movies, soundtracks, and iconic film scores. At The Movies also covers film festivals that are located in Montreal.
CJLO Best of 2020 Picks
So... 2020 was a thing.
Allison is CJLO's Program Director and hosts Transistor Sister, every Tuesday @ 6 p.m.
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Best Albums of 2020
- Sweeping Promises - Hunger for a Way Out
- Touche Amore - Lament
- Yves Tumor - Gospel for a New Century
- Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters
- Jeff Rosenstock - No Dream
- Nap Eyes - Snapshot of a Beginner
- Hum - Inlet
- Touch Age - Which Way Am I?
- Destroyer - Have We Met
- Charli XCX - how i'm feeling now
Top 10 TV Shows That Helped Me Survive Quarantine
- PEN15 Season 2
- Normal People
- The Queen's Gambit
- I May Destroy You
- I'll Be Gone In The Dark
- The Crown Season 4
- Never Have I Ever
- RuPaul's Drag Race (All Stars 5, Season 12, and Canada Drag Race)
- Selling Sunset (Yes, I know...)
- Emily in Paris (I never said my taste was good, okay?!)
Angelica hosts BVST every Wednesday @ 7 p.m.
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As much as 2020 was a shitshow overall, it did bear some of the sweetest musical fruit I've heard in some time. It seemed to me like many bands decided to release records designed to appeal specifically to my tastes, and narrowing my list down to ten records was tougher this year than it has been in a while. Check out the playlist of (almost) all my favourite tracks from these records here!
16 - Dream Squasher
Easily one of the most audaciously, unrepentantly heavy bands out there, 16 returned with an absolute stomper this year, possibly their strongest release thus far (and they've had almost thirty years of solid albums, including some that have been on this list in the past). Every song seethes and heaves, and even the more melodic or introspective moments never let up in intensity. A masterwork of creative misanthropy, and my soundtrack to an unforgettable, unforgivable year.
Track to taste: Agora (Killed By a Mountain Lion)
Muffler Crunch - Proof Is In The Pudding
This Gatineau outfit does with two people what most bands can't muster with four or more, which is make heavy rock that's high on bluesy stomp and experimental moments while also being low on bullshit. This early 2020 release takes risks in all the right places, and sounds unlike anything else you like.
Track to taste: Namaste
Midnight Gallows - Attack Warning Red
Regina is bringing the heat with this debut, whose A side pummels through at breakneck speed, sounding like the screeched cajolings of the devil himself, while the B side slides into more atmospheric and seductive territory without ever fully spacing out. An absolutely stellar entry in the already rich pantheon of 2020 stoner doom records.
Track to taste: Burning Bones
Horseneck - Fever Dream
On paper, a lot of what Horseneck has going on shouldn't come together. Metalcore, trumpet and saxophone, duets, organ, cello, chunky stoner riffs? What should be a hot mess is woven together expertly in a way that's both familiar and entirely fresh. Truly genre-bending, a full listen of this record is a trip, ever unfolding with surprises, while remaining a cohesive, solid slab of heavy rock.
Track to taste: Porcelain Ass
Junkowl - Making Out With My Death
Tapping into that Southern hardcore-tinged sound that I never get tired of, this Montreal four-piece screams, stompsn and grooves through 10 songs that bring the energy of their fiery live shows right to your living room. No snoozers or losers here, just one big, mean song after another.
Track to taste: Crawling Up My Feet
Yeah Right Records - Black Lives Matter
This summer saw lots of people and organizations mobilizing for social justice in their own ways, and this contribution, from Canada's Yeah Right Records, really hit the spot. Not only does it include tons of never-released tracks from iconic homegrown rockers like Ian Blurton, Danko Jones, The Black Halos, and many more, but these 30+ rock and punk tracks all came together to financially support an important cause.
Track to taste: All of them!
Ruff Majik - The Devil's Cattle
Unhinged and uninhibited, South African "rot'n'rollers" Ruff Majik screeched into late 2020 with a sleazy, grimy gem of a record. This is stoner rock for those who prefer speed hits to bong hits, a rock'n'roll freakout perfect for dancing the Frug down at the local biker bar.
Track to taste: Shrug of the Year
The Heavy Eyes - Love Like Machines
You can hear the Memphis blues influence all over this generous helping of groovy, insidious heavy psych. None of the songs overstay their welcome, and there is nothing self-indulgent or revisionist about this record. Meaty, but with a clean finish, there are some seriously forward-thinking moments that elevate this album into its own category.
Track to taste: Bright Light
Backxwash - God Has Nothing To Do With This Leave Him Out of It
I spent months sleeping on this record, but there's no question that every accolade it has garnered has been totally merited. Aggressive and ethereal in equal measure, this is the sound of destruction and rebirth stitched together with intelligent, risk-taking production.
Track to taste: Black Magic
Zeal & Ardor - Wake of a Nation EP
Defying genre and expectations with every release, Manuel Gagneux continues to showcase his incredible virtuosity and daring with a six-song cri de coeur born from a summer of protest and pain around racially-motivated injustice, abuse, and murder. The lead song "Vigil" is both an incredibly beautiful track, and one of the most difficult songs I've listened to all year.
Track to taste: Vigil
Erin Walker co-hosts The Waiting Room every Tuesday @ 2 p.m.
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- Yves Tumor - Heaven to a Tortured Mind
- Fleet Foxes - Shore
- Four Tet - Sixteen Oceans
- Cindy Lee - What's Tonight to Eternity?
- The Soft Pink Truth - Shall We Go On Sinning So That Grace May Increase?
- Yves Tumor - "Kerosene!"
- Amaarae - "Fancy"
- Megan Thee Stallion - " Savage Remix (ft. Beyonce)"
- Dean Blunt - "as long as ropes unravel fake rolex will travel "
- Eartheater - "Below the Clavicle"
- keiyaA - "I! Gits! Weary!"
- Flo Milli - "In The Party"
- Against All Logic - "If Loving You is Wrong"
- Jessy Lanza - "Anyone Around"
- Kelly Lee Owens - "Melt!"
- Lucidvox - "Sever"
- Arca - "Time"
- Charli XCX - "claws"
- 100 gecs - "came to my show"
- Moses Sumney - "Polly"
- Bladee - "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
- Perfume Genius - "Describe"
- Helena Deland - "Someone New"
- Shamir - "On My Own"
- Soccer Mommy - "Circle the Drain"
- Deftones, Robert Smith - "Teenager (Robert Smith Remix)"
- Katie Dey - "Happiness"
- Zoee - "Rio's"
- The Weather Station - "Tried to Tell You"
- Backxwash, Devi McCallion - "Spells"
- Sega Bodega - "Salv Goes to Hollywood"
- Squirrel Flower - "Red Shoulder"
- Planet 1999 - "Party"
- Okay Kaya - "Mother Nature's B*tch"
- Tinashe - "Save Room for Us"
Calvin Cashen is CJLO’s Music Director and co-hosts The Waiting Room every Tuesday @ 2 p.m.
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Best Songs of 2020
- Jessy Lanza - “Anyone Around”
- Megan Thee Stallion - “Savage Remix (feat. Beyoncé)”
- Bad Bunny (feat. Jowell & Randy and Ñengo Flow) - “Safaera”
- Special Interest - “Street Pulse Beat”
- Charli XCX - “anthems”
- Perfume Genius - “On the Floor”
- The Weather Station - “Tried to Tell You”
- Mehdi Bahmad - “Rouge à Lèvres - Olof Dreijer Remix”
- Jess Williamson - “Wind on Tin”
- Carl Stone - “Au Jus”
- Waxahatchee - “Hell”
- Swan Meat - “SUCKLING”
- HAIM - “The Steps”
- Kelly Lee Owens - “Melt!”
- Craven Faults - “Vacca Wall”
- Nídia - “Capacidades”
- Oliver Coates - “Butoh baby”
- Fireboy DML - “ELI”
- DORA - “Oxena”
- Buy Eco - “Innerlife”
Best Albums of 2020
- Andrea - Ritorno
- Dogleg - Melee
- Swan Meat - FLESHWORLD
- Bad Bunny - YHLQMDLG
- Actress - 88
- HAIM - Women In Music Pt. III
- Jessy Lanza - All The Time
- JOYFULTALK - A Separation Of Being
- Katie Gately - Loom
- Various Artists - Consequences
DJ Mister Vee hosts Beats From The East every Thursday @ 9 p.m.
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Best Singles of 2020
- Raymix, Paulina Rubio - "Tú Y Yo"
- Veronica Castro - "Mi Cumbia" (2020 Version)
Best Albums of 2020
- Bao - Perpetual Heartbreak
- Lex The Lexicon Artist - Alter Ego
- Public Enemy - What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down?
- Carlos Vives - Cumbiana
Best Movies of 2020
- Hubie Halloween (2020)
- Vampires vs. The Bronx (2020)
- Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
Best TV Shows of 2020
- Warrior (2019 -)
- On My Block (2018 -)
- Gentefied (2020 -)
- Súbete a mi moto (2020 -)
- Hunters (2020 -)
Chris the Frog hosts Sewer Spewer every Monday at 12pm.
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Best Montreal Albums of 2020
- Gorlvsh - New City Vibe
- Backxwash - God Has Nothing To Do With It Leave Him Out Of It
- Junkowl - Making Out With My Death
- MOOCH - Hounds
- Précipices- L’entéléchie du malheur
- Anonymus - La Bestia
- UUBBUURRUU- UUBBUURRUU
- The Devil Legba - The Devil Legba
- Boids - Quel Drag
- Red Mass - A Hopeless Noise
Best Canadian Albums of 2020:
- Vile Creature - Glory! Glory! Apathy Took Helm!
- Fuck the Facts - Pleine Noirceur
- Lilim - Weighted Ghosts
- Respire - Black Line
- Muffler Crunch - Proof Is In The Pudding
- Metz - Atlas Vending
- Wake - Devouring Ruin
- Dead Quiet - Truth and Ruin
- The OBGMs - The End
- Ahna - Crimson Dawn
Best International Albums of 2020
- Imperial Triumphant - Alphaville
- Code Orange - Underneath
- Boris - NO
- Mrs. Piss - Self-Surgery
- Special Interest - The Passion Of
- Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine - Tea Party Revenge Porn
- clipping. - Visions of Bodies Being Burned
- Poppy - I Disagree
- Sharptooth - Transitional Forms
- IDLES - Ultra Mono
Best Live-Streamed Concert
Code Orange put on some wonderful intricate live-streamed concerts, and I'm really happy for them, but Vile Creature had the best online concert. They collaborated with Two Minutes to Late Night to create a simulator of an actual live show, with options of different camera angles of the stage: stage left, stage right, standing behind a tall person, or you could visit the merch table, take a smoke break, or watch a montage of people's pets while the music played.
My favourite quarantine moment:
Being able to host a spooky trivia for CJLO's Funding drive. Also, I had the chance to talk to some of my favourite filmmakers this year, like Bruce McDonald (Dreamland), Lloyd Kaufman (#ShakespearesShitstorm), and newcomer Ryan Kruger (Fried Barry).
Alex hosts Ashes to Ashes every Tuesday @ 8 p.m.
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Favourite Albums of 2020
1. TOPS - I Feel Alive
Four albums in, TOPS made the best album of their career, one that already sounds like a front-to-back classic. This was my go-to record in this crazy year of 2020, particularly when I would try to break the first wave COVID-19 blues by walking around my 'hood, discovering the new in the familiar.
2. Caveboy - Night in the Park, Kiss in the Dark
Another album from a Montreal band that sounds like a lost classic, Caveboy seemingly knows only how to write anthems - even the record's quietest moments reach for the nosebleed sections. It's a shame the trio never got much of a chance to perform these songs live.
3. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Reunions
I admit I don't really listen to music for the lyrics, but Jason Isbell is one of the very few artists whose words draw me in even more to the music. While songs like "It Gets Easier" (followed by the line "but it never gets easy") might be about Isbell's past alcoholism, it's a song everyone can relate to after this year of often being away from the ones we care about most.
4. Le Couleur - Concorde
There's no sophomore slump here for the Montreal trio, with an album that's not only tighter than their already great debut, but that manages to make space for both psychedelic flourishes and Abba-esque grooves.
5. Charli XCX - how i'm feeling now
What was arguably the first quarantine album of the COVID-19 era is also the best one. Not even a year after her last record, Charli proves once again that nothing can stop her reign as the queen of pop, with a collection of her most personal and relatable songs yet.
6. Chloe x Halle - Ungodly Hour
I came into 2020 having no idea who the Bailey sisters were, but now I can't wait to hear what the Beyoncé protégés come up with next!
7. Hayley Williams - Petals for Armor
Yes, the album is too long. And yes, its roll-out strategy of essentially releasing every song before the album's release sapped momentum out of the record. But, it's hard to fault Williams on either point when every track here is a gem.
8. Marie-Pierre Arthur - Des feux pour voir
Five years after her last album, Arthur crams in as much stylistic territory as she can cover throughout her excellent Polaris Music Prize-longlisted comeback. The record jumps from slashing post-punk to Peter Gabriel-esque pop to hushed ballads and back again.
9. Marie-Gold - Règle d'or
For the last few years now, I've been listening to more franco hip-hop from la belle province than anglo rap in general. On the Montreal MC’s terrific debut album, Marie-Gold shows that she’s more than ready to snatch the “Best Quebec Rapper” crown.
10. Marie Davidson & L'Oeil Nu - Renegade Breakdown
I never thought I would want to hear Marie Davidson, queen of the club scene, attempt 70's-style folk songs, but Davidson and her band prove that they can tackle any genre they want with success on their first record together. If Davidson does retire from the wild DJ life of her past, then we’ll still have a lot to look forward to in the future.
Honourable Mentions
beabadoobee - Fake It Flowers
It can be risky to lead off an album with the best song on the record, as it can make everything that follows pale in comparison. But, even after starting off her debut LP with the head-banging sugary crunch of “Care,” beabadoobee keeps bringing the goods until the very last song.
Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia
One of the great ironies of 2020 is that this album, tailor-made for the clubs and summer parties, came out just as we couldn’t enjoy it in the way it was meant to be consumed. It doesn’t change the fact that it’s chock-full of bangers though that are fun to listen to in any setting.
Kali Uchis - Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) ∞
If I had paid attention more in my high-school Spanish classes, I might have been able to understand more of the lyrics on Kali Uchis’ latest record. Though, don’t let lack of fluency in the Latin language prevent you from listening to a worthy follow-up to her classic debut album, Isolation.
Favourite Discoveries of 2020
1. Prince and the Revolution - Purple Rain (1984)
I may be a college radio DJ, but that doesn't mean I don't have my own musical blind spots, perhaps none more glaring than Prince's masterpiece (especially since I already have a few of the Purple One's albums). All I can say is, if there ever is a perfect album, this might be the one.
2. Mary J. Blige - What's the 411? (1992)
Honestly, the only flaw in what's otherwise a flawless debut album is the absolutely terrible skit that opens the album. The day that artists no longer ruin the momentum of albums with painfully dull skits will be a wonderful day.
3. Pet Shop Boys - Please (1986)
If "West End Girls" was the only notable song on the album, it would still be a minor classic. But, when you have as many fantastic bops as the Pet Shop Boys do on Please, you have a straight-up synth-pop masterwork on your hands.
4. Blink-182 - Enema of the State (1999)
It might often be dumb fun, but it’s fun nonetheless, with songs full of adrenaline and hooks layered on hooks. And despite the irreverent humour from the album title on down, Blink also display a genuinely sweet side on the record that makes them hard to resist.
5. Céline Dion - Unison (1990)
Confession: Despite being a born-and-raised Quebecer, I was late to the game with two of our province's treasures, poutine and Céline Dion. While I had my first poutine a few years ago (and haven't looked back since), I remained almost entirely unaware of Céline's actual musical output until last summer. As I learned, a great place to dive into Céline's vast repertoire is her first English language album, filled with the right mix of dance-pop anthems and ballads that show off her iconic pipes.
6. Mariah Carey - Daydream (1995)
I admit I was a bit disappointed at first that Daydream wasn't just 12 variations of "Fantasy," but I very quickly got over that. Some of the best songs on the album are actually ones where Mimi reins in her famous falsetto for a more soulful croon (that said, the vocal gymnastics of Boyz II Men duet "One Sweet Day" is ridiculously over-the-top yet all the more glorious for it).
7. Maren Morris - Girl (2019)
Before the pandemic hit, Morris was scheduled to bring her blend of country, pop, rock, and soul to Montreal. I hope she eventually gets the chance to come to the city. After seeing the rapturous reception Kacey Musgraves got a couple of years from Montrealers, I highly doubt Morris wouldn’t receive the same enthusiastic response.
8. Catatonia - Way Beyond Blue (1996)
If you’re like me and you’re a fan of bands like Lush, Blur, and Pulp, then I’m pretty certain you’ll enjoy the alt-rock stylings of Wales’ Catatonia, one of the more underrated acts from Britpop’s heyday.
9. Madonna - True Blue (1986)
The album as a whole is strong, but come on, you come here for the hits. “Papa Don’t Preach.” “Open Your Heart.” “Live to Tell.” “True Blue.” “La Isla Bonita.” Need I say more?
10. Denzel Curry - ZUU (2019)
Clocking in at just under half an hour, Curry brings a nearly punk-like intensity to ZUU’s 12 tracks. That is, if any punk album also happened to feature an absorbing mix of smooth melodies and trunk-rattling bass.
Hunter is one of CJLO's Content Editors and co-hosts The Iron Club every Sunday @ 9 p.m.
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Top 10 Albums of 2020
- Eternal Champion - Ravening Iron
- Black Curse - Endless Wound
- Malokarpatan - Krupinské Ohne
- Hellripper - The Affair of the Poisons
- Cirith Ungol - Forever Black
- Solicitor - Spectral Devastation
- Midnight - Rebirth by Blasphemy
- Sodom - Genesis XIX
- Ulthar - Providence
- Siege Column - Darkside Legions
Stephen co-hosts The Pressure Drop every Monday @ 5 p.m.
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Top 10 Albums of 2020
- Caleb Landry Jones - The Mother Stone
- Melenas - Dias Raros
- Andy Bell - The View From Halfway Down
- Juniore - Un Deux Trois
- Cindy Lee - What's Tonight To Eternity
- Thibault - Or Not Thibault
- Fontaines D.C. - A Hero's Death
- Sweeping Promises - Hunger For A Way Out
- Andy Shauf - The Neon Skyline
- Public Eye - Music For Leisure
Top 10 Songs of 2020
- Arab Strap - "The Turning Of Our Bones"
- Andrew Carroll - "Here/Now"
- Andy Bell - "The Commune"
- Roisin Murphy - "Something More"
- Billy Nomates - "Happy Misery"
- Swamp Dogg ft. John Prine - "Memories"
- Mush - "Existential Dread"
- Hollow Ship - "Magic Mountain"
- Goat Girl - "Sad Cowboy"
- Profligate - "No Clear Way"
DJ Slurp co-hosts Mouse Party every Wednesday @ 3 p.m.
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10 Favorite Albums
- Dogleg - Melee
- Dorian Electra - My Agenda
- Crack Cloud - Pain Olympics
- Yves Tumor - Heaven To A Tortured Mind
- IDLES- Ultra Mono
- Dehd - Flower of Devotion
- Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher
- Charli XCX - how i’m feeling now
- King Krule - Man Alive!
- The OBGMs - The Ends
15 Favorite Songs
- Dogleg - "Kawasaki Backflip"
- KennyHoopla ft. Travis Barker - "Estella"
- Dehd - "Loner"
- Dorian Electra ft. Rebecca Black - "Edgelord"
- Crack Cloud - "Ouster Stew"
- Gum Country - "Somewhere"
- Yves Tumor - "Medicine Burn"
- Kenny Hoopla - "how will i rest in peace if i’m buried by a highway?"
- King Krule - "Stoned Again"
- PUP - "Anaphylaxis"
- Run The Jewels ft. Greg Nice & DJ Premier - "ooh LA LA"
- IDLES - "Ne Touche Pas Moi"
- The OBGMs - "Cash"
- Charli XCX - "claws"
- Joyce Manor - "Constant Nothing" (Demo)
Some Favorite Lyrics
“SHE’S GONNA CUT MY HEAD OFF, BUT I DON’T CARE, I DON’T CARE,” -KennyHoopla
“YOUR BODY IS YOUR BODY AND IT BELONGS TO NOBODY BUT YOU” -IDLES
“I do not need my body” -Crack Cloud
“I may be covered in cat hair, but I still smell good” -Thundercat
Andrew Wieler, aka Andrew Wixq, is CJLO's Metal Music Director and hosts Grade A Explosives every Sunday @ 4 p.m.
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Best Albums of 2020
1. 16 - Dream Squasher
16 has been putting out crushing records for damn near 27 years, this is another great release from these guys. Every track fits with one another. Really they're on a colossal roll with the last four records and if you aren't on the train, you should buy your ticket now.
2. clipping. - Visions of Bodies Being Burned
This is basically a hip-hop horror movie theme, much like There Existed an Addiction to Blood, which came out a year beforehand. Glitchy, industrial influenced, and endlessly dark, this record is some of the best expansion of hip-hop I've heard in recent years and pairs pretty well with the also excellent Backxwash record, God Has Nothing to Do With This Leave Him Out of It. If you're a metal person as I am, there's really no better ways to start travelling into hiphop than this.
3. Protest the Hero - Palimpsest
Really pulling out a full set of instrumentation, this album feels the most cohesive since Fortress. It's lush, and has some great storytelling. Definitely their best work in quite some time.
4. Zebadiah Crowe - Host Rider
Since Kveletak made it a popular sub-genre, "black n' roll" has been kicking around from a lot of bands, but until this record I had not heard one putting in the industrial undertones that make this band worth taking notice of. Plus, how can one resist a hot pink neon album cover? And if that wasn't enough, they also released an EP of remixes of some of their tracks. It wins all around.
5. Nite - Darkness Silence Mirror Flame
Speaking of blackened versions of metal, here's a San Fransisco group that is mixing classic heavy metal with those black metal vocals to make a pretty intriguing mix. If you like your classic heavy metal but are interested to have someone play around with the formula, you should listen to this.
6. Bones UK - Unplugged
Probably one of the best "unplugged" versions of tracks that came out this year, Bones UK not only was one of the last shows I saw when they opened for Korn of all people, but one of the things I was most looking forward to in the cancelled SXSW. If you want some pretty moving rearranging and re-rendering of rock tracks, this is as good as it gets.
7. Muffler Crunch - Proof is in the Pudding
This Hull, Quebec duo has been rocking out for 20 years, and have released this quite enjoyable number at the beginning of this year. Plus they were one of the last bands to perform live at CJLO, and hands down if the record doesn't convince you, then seeing them in the flesh is enough to make you a true believer.
8. Melted Bodies - Enjoy Yourself
Somewhere between System of a Down and Dillinger Escape Plan comes the weirdness of Los Angeles' Melted Bodies. It's definitely not something everyone can get into, but if you like spaztic rock / metal this is a record that you will thouroughly enjoy.
9. Dead Quiet - Truth and Ruin
Long since dissolving Barn Burner, Dead Quiet has been making burning hot tracks, and this record is no exception. Awesome riffs amid some stellar songwriting makes this record well worth your time if you're down for some stonery rock.
10. Ghostkid - Ghostkid
Former Eskimo Callboy lead singer Sebastian "Sushi" Biesler puts out a metalcore record that isn't too far removed from his former group, but does have a bite to it that was lacking. Featuring guests appearances from Marcus Bischoff and Mille Petroza from Kreator, this record is not for everyone, but it is for me, and that's all I care about, so shut up.
Honourable Mentions
Zeal and Ardor - Wake of a Nation
Backxwash - God Has Nothing to Do With This Leave Him Out of It
The Ocean - Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic / Cenozoic
Cavern - Powdered
Veio - Vitruvian
Horsewhip - Laid to Waste
Heavy Eyes - Love Like Machines
Paradise - Paradise
Endless Forms Most Gruesome - Endless Forms Most Gruesome
holy fawn - The Black Moon
Unholy Vampyric Slaughter sect - The World Trapped in Vampyric Sway (Darker and Darker)
Familiars - All in Good Time
Eye Flys - Tub of Lard
Junkowl - Making Out With My Death
Junko Daydream - We Make an Idol of Our Fears
Lisa and Jess host Last Stop: This Song every Wednesday @ 11 a.m.
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Nadia hosts Seoul Sister, airing every Friday @ 3 p.m.
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Best K-Pop Songs of 2020 (Group)
- "I Can’t Stop Me" by Twice
- "Oh My God" by (G)I-DLE
- "Given-Taken" by Enhypen
- "Mago" by GFRIEND
- "La Di Da" by Everglow
- "Home; Run" by Seventeen
- "Lovesick Girls" by Blackpink
- "Don’t Touch Me" by Refund Sisters
- "Inception" by Ateez
- "Can’t You See Me" by Tomorrow x Together
- "Witch" by Jamie, Jang Ye Eun, Jeon Ji Woo, Cheetah, Hyoyeon
- "Gunshot" by Kard
- "Middle of the Night" by Monsta X
- "Black Mamba" by aespa
- "Happening" by AKMU
- "Wannabe" by Itzy
- "Puma" by Tomorrow x Together
- "How You Like That' by Blackpink
- "Star" by Loona
- "God’s Menu" by Stray Kids
Best K-Pop Songs of 2020 (Solo)
- "HWA" by CL
- "eight" by IU ft. Suga
- "Paradise" by Eric Nam
- "Maria" by Hwa Sa
- "Winter Flower" by Younha ft. RM
- "Nunu Nana" by Jessi
- "Accident" by Woodz
- "With My Tears" by Wheein
- "Losing You" by Wonho
- "Colors of You" by Shin Hae Gyeong
- "Eclipse" by Moonbyul
- "What You Waiting For" by Somi
- "Who U Are" by Kang Daniel
- "Apollo 11" by Jamie ft. Jay Park
- "Alien" by Lee Suhyun
Best BTS Songs of 2020
- "Black Swan" by BTS
- "ON" by BTS
- "Daechwita" by Agust D
- "Ugh!" by BTS
- "Your Eyes Tell" by BTS
- "Life Goes On" by BTS
- "Still With You" by Jungkook
- "Blue & Grey" by BTS
- "Dis-Ease" by BTS
- "Interlude: Shadow" by BTS
- "Stay" by BTS
- "My Time" by BTS
- "Sweet Night" by V
- "Filter" by BTS
- "We are Bulletproof: the Eternal" by BTS
- "Abyss" by Jin
- "Outro: Ego" by BTS
- "Moon" by BTS
- "People" by Agust D
- "Dynamite: by BTS
Best Albums of 2020
- Manic by Halsey
- Map of the Soul: 7 by BTS
- D-2 by Agust D
- Sawayama by Rina Sawayama
- The Dream Chapter: Eternity by Tomorrow X Together
- les failles cachées by Pomme
- BE by BTS
- After Hours by The Weeknd
- Chromatica by Lady Gaga
- Punisher by Phobebe Bridgers
- Ungodly Hour by Chloe x Halle
- folklore by Taylor Swift
Best Online Concert of 2020
Map of the Soul ON:E, BTS, Oct. 10-11th
Best TV shows of 2020
- The Great
- The Umbrella Academy
- Never Have I Ever
- I May Destroy You
- The Boys
- Schitt’s Creek
- Bojack Horseman
- I’ll Be Gone in the Dark
- Cheer
- The Good Place
- Rupaul’s Drag Race
- I-LAND
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10 Best Albums of 2020 (in no particular order)
Destroyer - Have We Met
The Strokes - The New Abnormal
Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters
Grimes - Miss Anthropocene
Owen Pallett - Island
Childish Gambino - 3.15.20
Run the Jewels - RTJ4
Perfume Genius - Set My Heart on Fire Immediately
Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher
Bright Eyes - Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was
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10 Best Visual Media Scores and Soundtracks of 2020 (in no particular order)
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Moderna vaccine comes to Canada, Daycares told to throw out masks, Construction company accused of doing poor job in First Nations
Hadassah Alencar
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Moderna vaccine comes to Canada
Health Canada has approved a second COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna.
A shipment of the new vaccines are scheduled to arrive in just in time for Christmas.
Moderna promises to deliver 40 million doses of the vaccine to Canada in 2021.
Also by the end of next year, Ottawa plans to have every Canadian vaccinated.
Daycares told to throw out masks
Throw them out! Quebec tells the provinces daycares to get rid of a certain kind of blue disposable mask.
The government supplied the masks to the daycares earlier this year, between May to November.
Quebec told the provinces 15, 000 daycares they will begin shipping new masks in mid-January.
Construction company accused of doing poor job in Indigenous First Nations
A construction company doing work in various First Nations is accused of shoddy work.
The issues reported against Kingdom Construction Limited (KCL) include constant delays, inadequate work, and an apparent reluctance to hire Indigneous workers.
These problems delayed First Nations communities work towards having clean drinking water and wastewater management.
The company told APTN news they denied the allegations, but later had to apologize for insensitive comments made during their apology.
Teens show great resolve through pandemic, Premier Ford warns of flood of Quebecers into Ontario, BioNTech confident their vaccine will work against new coronavirus variant.
Reporter: Shanellie Marie
Stories: Luca Caruso Moro
Teens show great resolve through pandemic
Young people generally feel very protective of those around them when it comes to COVID-19, according to a new survey polling over 3000 teens in Quebec.
The Canadian Press reports the survey found a high level of concern for the well being of others.
The poll also found that most teens do not turn to social media for information related to COVID-19, favouring public health and news sources instead.
Premier Ford warns of flood of Quebecers into Ontario
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has ordered a province-wide lockdown over the holidays.
According to him, one of the main risks is Quebecers entering Ontario.
He made the comment while justifying why the entire province was locking down, even areas where case-counts remain low near the Quebec border.
He said there’s no hard feelings against Quebec, which will also be under lockdown in several areas over the holidays.
Instead, the measures are to keep people from leaving their homes and crossing the border into areas with fewer restrictions.
BioNTech confident their vaccine will work against new coronavirus variant.
With news of a new, more volatile variant of the coronavirus in the UK, BioNTech says people should remain confident in its vaccine.
CEO Ugur Sahin said the company does not yet have enough information to say for sure, but that it’s highly likely the immune response will still apply to the new strain of the virus.
(Interview) Director Darius Marder on His New Film Sound of Metal
Remi talks to director Darius Marder about his new film Sound of Metal. Riz Ahmed stars in the film as Ruben, a drummer in a metal band who loses his hearing and learns how to live with his new condition. Remi also chats about what it's like to collaborate with director Derek Cianfrance, the integral role of sound design in the film, and working with Riz Ahmed. One of the year's best films, Sound of Metal is currently out on VOD services here in Canada, and on Amazon Prime in the United States.
Remi and Danny host At The Movies, which can be heard every Tuesday morning from 8:00 - 9:00AM. Tune in for discussions about movies, soundtracks, and iconic film scores. At The Movies also covers film festivals that are located in Montreal.
Tent city in flames, Quebec cases surge, Quebec moves towards free menstrual products
Reporter: Shanellie Marie
Stories: Luca Caruso Moro
Tent city in flames
A downtown tent city where several homeless people live caught fire on Saturday.
CTV News reports one tent was completely destroyed, others were damaged.
There were no reported injuries.
Quebec cases surge
The same day, Quebec recorded a record breaking 2000 cases of COVID-19 in a single day.
It’s the first time a province has broken the 2000 mark in Canada.
The province reported nearly 14,000 active cases.
Quebec moves towards free menstrual products
The National Assembly says it will look at ways to make menstrual products freely available in public buildings.
Independent MP Catherine Fournier brought the motion to the assembly,
saying it was time Quebec followed the footsteps of other provinces and countries.
The motion passed unanimously.
Looking Closer at Montreal's Homeless with I Might Be Dead by Tomorrow
I Might Be Dead by Tomorrow (Tant que j’ai du respir dans le corps) from Canadian director Steve Patry is an urgent documentary set in Montreal about homelessness and the frontline workers that look out for this marginalized group. Through this unfiltered lens Patry follows the lives of several people who live or used to live on the street, while giving them a voice through this documentary. While most of us have not interacted with the outside world throughout most of 2020, the pandemic makes it twice as challenging for those living on the street, especially at night with the cold dark freezing conditions here in Montreal. However, Patry’s film helps show us how frontline workers, including the police, crisis intervention, and medical workers, invest their time with the homeless - whether that means taking them in or just listening to their issues.
The film will be a part of Cinéma Moderne’s virtual cinema repertoire starting Dec. 4. Not only is this film an important documentary but it’s a great way to support a local movie theatre during the pandemic. For more information about how you can help out during this season of need here are a few organizations that are always looking for donations during this time of year:
Concordia proposes new strategies to ease pandemic-related stress, study shows that Canadian`s mental health is deteriorating, United-Kingdom first to authorize Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine
Cedric Gallant
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Concordia proposes new strategies to ease pandemic-related stress.
Concordia is proposing new measures to ease exam pressure due to pandemic-related stress.
These new options include a Pass notation for one course per term, meaning a student could choose a Pass grade instead of their actual grade.
Another change is that F grades are now automatically changed to a discontinued class.
This system will be in place for Fall 2020 but also for Winter 2021
For more information, please consult Concordia.ca
Study shows that Canadian`s mental health is deteriorating
Canadians are struggling with their mental health.
That’s according to a study from The Canadian Mental Health Association.
Partnered with the University of British-Columbia, the study found that the majority of Canadians are preoccupied by this pandemic, with over half fearing the death of a loved one
10 per cent of Canadians have had suicidal thoughts, compared to 2.5 per cent in 2016.
Nursing science professor at UBC Emily Jenkins says they, “found a direct relationship between social stress factors and the decline of mental health.”
United-Kingdom first to authorize Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine
The United-Kingdom is the first country to authorize the Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine.
As early as next week, doses will be administered according to the UK’s priority patient list, with a first batch of 800 000 doses from the 40 million ordered by the UK
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