The Coast

Canadian musicians writing about the British monarchy has happened more than we think, but here we have a young Toronto, ON rock band addressing it in a pretty quirky, but harmless, way. By naming their album Queen Cities ― realizing on tours that every city has some sort of claim to the Queen ― and basing their songs upon that theme as well, they've made one of the most Canadian albums of the year. It's a slow-burner, but it fits with the atmosphere they're going for: driving across our vast country. It rolls, weaves, lights up, dims down, aches and stretches. The guitar is the most stable factor, with mellow vocals and percussion soon after. The four-piece have also introduced more keyboards into their mix, which livens up the melodies at the right moments. It's a romantic, soothing ride.