Summer continues to fly by at a nearly unfathomable speed, but this month's crew of New Faves are here to help slow you down and smell the roses, as it were. Punk behemoths, silky R&B crooners, wild post-punk kids and sinewy dance music — whatever your preferred flavour, they've got it covered. So plug in, put on some sunglasses and a boatload of sunscreen and take a big ol' walk — here are the new artists to get you through summer's middle stretch.
Keep reading to meet Exclaim!'s latest New Faves, and head over to our Spotify playlist to hear them alongside our previous homegrown favourites.
Bleako's Nuclear Disco
Vancouver, BC
For Fans of: Viagra Boys, Wet Leg, Alvvays
These young rockers have been wowing Vancouver crowds for the last couple of years with their high-energy performances, playing notable venues like the Rickshaw and the Wise Hall (opening for Black Pontiac). They recently ventured out east on their first cross-Canada tour, which included a show at NXNE 2023. Their latest single, "Yellow Stereo," came out June 2.
Francis Baptiste
Duckai
Hamilton, ON
For fans of: Frank Ocean, James Blake, Solange
Dropping his debut album earlier in 2023, this R&B/neo-soul duck-themed musician splashed onto the Hamilton music scene with eight killer alt-R&B tracks comparable to contemporary greats. In an oversaturated pond like R&B it's easy to be drowned out, but Duckai's quality content lets us know that he's a newcomer who's ready to swim.
Sarah-Jessica Rintjema
Friday Skye
Ottawa, ON
For fans of: Jhené Aiko, Jamila Woods, SZA
Introducing "Twolips" by Ottawa's rising R&B star, Friday Skye. With soulful vocals and an infectious rhythm, Skye's latest single is a delightful and smooth blend of passion, affection and vulnerability. "Twolips" showcases Skye's exceptional talent for storytelling, an unsent letter to "the one that got away." Get ready to be swept away by the enchanting melodies and poignant lyrics.
Jhamesha Milord Ashford
Olinda
Windsor, ON
For fans of: Pet Shop Boys, Plastikman, Chromatics
The same clacking assembly line beats that powered the first wave of Detroit techno seemingly drives the music of Windsor, Ontario's Olinda. While vocalist Josh Klein and guitarist Peter Burke (often joined by Czarina Mendoza and Judah Zakoor) are distinctly enamoured with a particular '80s sequenced hum, there nonetheless lies a level of gauzy texture that steers them from their "motorik city" surroundings. After the release of the shimmering A-side/B-side "World Within"/"The Chalice," Olinda has promised to engineer a "string of other singles throughout the year."
Daniel Sylvester
Squander
Halifax, NS
For fans of: Discharge, Inepsy, Doom
Halifax's favourite space-crust band, Squander returns with their new sophomore EP The Western Nightmare Continues..., the perfect loud and angry punk soundtrack to total societal collapse. Following up on their recent show opening for Canadian punk legends Dayglo Abortions with an absolutely killer EP release show, it's already been a great summer for Squander. With the potential for more shows on the horizon, keep an eye out, as this is a band you don't want to miss live; just remember earplugs as, like all good punk, it gets loud.
Jeremy Sheehy
Text Chunk
Edmonton, AB
For fans of: DJ Rashad, DJ Paypal, Aphex Twin
Situated deep in the mountainous music scene of Edmonton, Alberta lies experimental music producer Text Chunk, aka Brandon Smith. After meeting fellow Edmontonian Sven K, the two kismet artists came together to launch Kudatah, a boutique label where they could share their individual projects and collaborate with other like-minded artists from around the world. Earlier this year, Smith linked with Sven K to release Ouroboros, a record that explores a darker, almost sinister, side of club music punctuated by their signature high-tempo percussion style.
Vanessa Tam
Tractor Beam
Vancouver, BC
For fans of: the Moldy Peaches, Big Thief, Mac DeMarco
Inevitable doom doesn't sound so bad when you're in the company of Sasha Balzic. Frontperson of Vancouver's emerging post-folk nihilists Tractor Beam, the Toronto-born producer released their inaugural album, Turtles All the Way, just last month featuring an ensemble of musicians and friends. Get ready to lie in the grass, stare into oblivion, and let Sarah Morris's cello sweep you off your feet as Balzic's deadpan murmurs in your ear like a weary cosmic guide — zooming all the way in, then all the way out (then all the way down).
Amanda Thacker
Vikki Minor
Toronto, ON
For fans of: Michelle Branch, Alanis Morissette, Beach Bunny
Vikki Minor wants us to know that it's her world, and we're just lucky to live in it. Heralded as a musician changing Saskatchewan's music scene, the pop songwriter is ushering in her new era in Toronto under a new name (fka velours). Melding the nostalgia of '90s alternative with modern synthpop, Minor's powerful, velvety voice soars on the huge choruses of recent singles "Flowers in a Wasteland" and "Miss You the Most," the latter of which could easily be on the playlist of the vintage video store she laments over. Fresh off the heels of playing Tall Pines Fest and Spring Reverb, expect her upcoming Call Me Vikki EP later this summer.
Isabel Glasgow
Listen to tracks from these and other New Faves on our Spotify playlist:
Keep reading to meet Exclaim!'s latest New Faves, and head over to our Spotify playlist to hear them alongside our previous homegrown favourites.
Bleako's Nuclear Disco
Vancouver, BC
For Fans of: Viagra Boys, Wet Leg, Alvvays
These young rockers have been wowing Vancouver crowds for the last couple of years with their high-energy performances, playing notable venues like the Rickshaw and the Wise Hall (opening for Black Pontiac). They recently ventured out east on their first cross-Canada tour, which included a show at NXNE 2023. Their latest single, "Yellow Stereo," came out June 2.
Francis Baptiste
Duckai
Hamilton, ON
For fans of: Frank Ocean, James Blake, Solange
Dropping his debut album earlier in 2023, this R&B/neo-soul duck-themed musician splashed onto the Hamilton music scene with eight killer alt-R&B tracks comparable to contemporary greats. In an oversaturated pond like R&B it's easy to be drowned out, but Duckai's quality content lets us know that he's a newcomer who's ready to swim.
Sarah-Jessica Rintjema
Friday Skye
Ottawa, ON
For fans of: Jhené Aiko, Jamila Woods, SZA
Introducing "Twolips" by Ottawa's rising R&B star, Friday Skye. With soulful vocals and an infectious rhythm, Skye's latest single is a delightful and smooth blend of passion, affection and vulnerability. "Twolips" showcases Skye's exceptional talent for storytelling, an unsent letter to "the one that got away." Get ready to be swept away by the enchanting melodies and poignant lyrics.
Jhamesha Milord Ashford
Olinda
Windsor, ON
For fans of: Pet Shop Boys, Plastikman, Chromatics
The same clacking assembly line beats that powered the first wave of Detroit techno seemingly drives the music of Windsor, Ontario's Olinda. While vocalist Josh Klein and guitarist Peter Burke (often joined by Czarina Mendoza and Judah Zakoor) are distinctly enamoured with a particular '80s sequenced hum, there nonetheless lies a level of gauzy texture that steers them from their "motorik city" surroundings. After the release of the shimmering A-side/B-side "World Within"/"The Chalice," Olinda has promised to engineer a "string of other singles throughout the year."
Daniel Sylvester
Squander
Halifax, NS
For fans of: Discharge, Inepsy, Doom
Halifax's favourite space-crust band, Squander returns with their new sophomore EP The Western Nightmare Continues..., the perfect loud and angry punk soundtrack to total societal collapse. Following up on their recent show opening for Canadian punk legends Dayglo Abortions with an absolutely killer EP release show, it's already been a great summer for Squander. With the potential for more shows on the horizon, keep an eye out, as this is a band you don't want to miss live; just remember earplugs as, like all good punk, it gets loud.
Jeremy Sheehy
Text Chunk
Edmonton, AB
For fans of: DJ Rashad, DJ Paypal, Aphex Twin
Situated deep in the mountainous music scene of Edmonton, Alberta lies experimental music producer Text Chunk, aka Brandon Smith. After meeting fellow Edmontonian Sven K, the two kismet artists came together to launch Kudatah, a boutique label where they could share their individual projects and collaborate with other like-minded artists from around the world. Earlier this year, Smith linked with Sven K to release Ouroboros, a record that explores a darker, almost sinister, side of club music punctuated by their signature high-tempo percussion style.
Vanessa Tam
Tractor Beam
Vancouver, BC
For fans of: the Moldy Peaches, Big Thief, Mac DeMarco
Inevitable doom doesn't sound so bad when you're in the company of Sasha Balzic. Frontperson of Vancouver's emerging post-folk nihilists Tractor Beam, the Toronto-born producer released their inaugural album, Turtles All the Way, just last month featuring an ensemble of musicians and friends. Get ready to lie in the grass, stare into oblivion, and let Sarah Morris's cello sweep you off your feet as Balzic's deadpan murmurs in your ear like a weary cosmic guide — zooming all the way in, then all the way out (then all the way down).
Amanda Thacker
Vikki Minor
Toronto, ON
For fans of: Michelle Branch, Alanis Morissette, Beach Bunny
Vikki Minor wants us to know that it's her world, and we're just lucky to live in it. Heralded as a musician changing Saskatchewan's music scene, the pop songwriter is ushering in her new era in Toronto under a new name (fka velours). Melding the nostalgia of '90s alternative with modern synthpop, Minor's powerful, velvety voice soars on the huge choruses of recent singles "Flowers in a Wasteland" and "Miss You the Most," the latter of which could easily be on the playlist of the vintage video store she laments over. Fresh off the heels of playing Tall Pines Fest and Spring Reverb, expect her upcoming Call Me Vikki EP later this summer.
Isabel Glasgow
Listen to tracks from these and other New Faves on our Spotify playlist:
