News 
Jan 03 2012
We were planning to do another Top 10 list like last year, but there is just so much great stuff that we can't bear to list any less than 20 (even though there are even more great-looking Canadian albums heading our way in 2012 not listed here). Seriously, 2012 looks as if it's going to be yet another amazing year for Canadian music, so join us in this little preview of what we're going to be treated to in the coming months.
Exclaim!'s 20 Most Anticipated Canadian Albums of 2012:
20. Memoryhouse
The Slideshow Effect (February 28)
(Sub Pop)
We've been getting occasional low-key releases from these Guelph, ON-based dream poppers from a couple of years now, so it's about time that they dropped their debut LP. They will finally do so with this ten-song offering, which looks to scale back their signature hazy reverb in favour of front-and-centre vocals. The band have jokingly described their new sound as "Taylor Swift with Built to Spill as her backing band."
19. K-os
BLack on BLonde
(Universal Music Canada)
The rapper also known as Kevin Brereton has been talking about this one since 2010, when he promised it would arrive in 2011. Now, he's projected a 2012 release. He recently told Waterloo, ON student paper Imprint, "It's supposed to be a double album. I have a lot of songs right now and I'm trying to figure it out. The idea is two albums: the BLack album is supposed to be all hip-hop and R&B and the BLonde album rock'n'roll. But I feel people's attention spans are so short I don't know if I want to do a double album. I just wanted to separate the music."
18. The Elwins
And I Thank You (February 21)
(label TBA)
The Ontario indie pop outfit have already won us over with their energetic sound, so we're more than ready for their debut album. We're not entirely sure when this is going to arrive, but the band have already played us some songs during a Live from Exclaim! session, and we're plenty excited.
17. Bahamas
Barchords (February 7)
(Universal/Republic)
Toronto-based songwriter Afie Jurvanen earned no shortage of acclaim with his folksy 2009 effort Pink Strat, and now he's getting ready to drop the follow-up. This sophomore album apparently offers more folk tunes alongside blues- and pop-influenced tracks. We're hoping that it's also got a touch of his stripped-down live performances, since dude can seriously wail on an electric guitar.
16. Chains of Love
Strange Grey Days (release date TBA)
(Dine Alone Records)
This Vancouver soul-rock troupe earned plenty of attention in 2011 with their catchy, pop-friendly sound and singer Nathalia Pizarro's impressively wailing vocals. Now with some stellar label support, look for 2012 to be an even bigger year for these up-and-comers. Not a lot is known about this debut EP, but look for it to arrive early in the year.
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Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 10:08:21What about Eamon Mcgrath???
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 11:33:46The Grimes album won't disappoint. It's her best yet.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 11:40:40and what about Evening Hymns - Spectral Dust. I'm sure it will be one of the best of the year. I heard a rumor Julie Doiron will also have a new album.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 11:42:32Over a "decease" in the making? COME ON, SON!!!
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 11:45:14I'm excited about the new Joel Plaskett album. It's going to be massive.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 11:55:46Woods of Ypres.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 12:04:41#21: Rush--Clockwork Angels. Hard to believe that these guys have been touring for about a year and a half essentially on the back of a two-song single with the promise of a forthcoming album.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 12:04:59jeeeze - canada is like so lame this year
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 12:14:01Tragically Hip?
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 12:17:51Matt Mays
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 12:19:20Wintersleep
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 12:21:22Monster Truck?
Posted by Scott On 2012-01-03 12:42:49Donlands & Mortimer - New Mythology - Spring 2011
Brasstronaut - TBA - Spring 2011
Flotilla - TBA - Spring 2011
Run With the Kittens - Better When It's Planned - TBA 2011
Posted by Scott On 2012-01-03 12:46:42And by 2011, I mean 2012
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 12:48:30Sheepdogs record from the Rolling Stone Cover Win. What a year for that band
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 12:55:09Billy Talent is the most publicly anticipated album.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 13:02:01Lol, Grimes in front of Leonard Cohen.
That's like putting LMFAO in front of Bob Dylan.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 13:08:55yesss - CHAINS of LOVE
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 13:15:44LMFAO what a load of Crap this list is better Canadian music than this
crap LOL
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 13:26:20yeah that's a pretty weak list. a couple good picks but a couple that people could care less about. it'd be smarter to call this "Alex Hudson's most anticipated records of 2012"
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 13:31:40Hmm inclined also to be a wee bit perplexed by this list.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 14:36:28Propagandhi!
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 14:36:33what about Metric? Seems like that is a pretty major one to leave off the list.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 14:38:50also, rufus wainwright.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 14:46:05What about the new Rush album?
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 15:33:56Someone mentioned the Sheepdogs. Watch a bumch of self-absorbed hacks. It's disappointing to hear that The Black Keys' Pat Carney is producing their next effort. They don't deserve his talent.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 15:49:26What about Montreal's No Family? Does no one know about them?They're going to be releasing their debut album this year. Those folks are onto something.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 16:32:59ZEUS, people.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 19:28:05And Patrick Watson, where is he? Thought he had an album soon to be ready.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-03 21:58:41jesus christ ... fucking GORGUTS much?
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-04 05:30:45VILLIPEND!
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-04 05:32:44What kind of list is that?!
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-04 19:19:45Eamon McGrath -- Young Canadians coming in the spring. Has to be on your list !!
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-04 19:20:33Rush, Wintersleep and McGrath get my votes.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-04 23:23:21ladyhawk record.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-06 09:09:29Propagandhi yes...
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-09 20:43:15Lookin forward to that new Metric album and FINALLY Saukrates.
Also Sebastien Grainger and Isis Salam(Thunderheist) are workin on solo albums too been fiendin for new ish, alot of projects comin in the next 10-12 months I expect about half of it to actually drop LOL.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-10 10:27:13Uber boring list.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-10 11:04:14Brian Borcherdt - Dusted!
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-10 12:28:27Gunna be a weak year for Canada if this is any indication. Last couple of years have been great (Tim Hecker, Owen Pallett, Destroyer, Arcade Fire, Women, Caribou, Colin Stetson, Weeknd, etc) so I figured this year would be slow. Japandroids is probably the only Canadian band I'm looking forward to this. My money's on a poor year for music in general.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-10 12:30:55I lied. I'm also super excited about the new Ghostkeeper album. Testicles will explode.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-10 17:28:39Bout time you separated the World and Soul music categories, dotcha think?
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-01-10 18:21:40I guess the music experts at Exclaim! are not anticipating anything in French this year...
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-02-08 14:07:05New recording from Toronto's Eamon McGrath coming up soon. Should be good and must be on your list.
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