Exclaim!'s 20 Most Anticipated Canadian Albums of 2013

BY Exclaim! StaffPublished Jan 3, 2013

Now that our 2012 retrospectives are finished, it's time to embrace 2013. As always, the year has plenty of exciting albums to look forward to, many of them from right here in Canada.

As we set off on the year ahead, here are some of the records that we're already eagerly anticipating. Some of them are by well-established stars, while others come from some of the country's most promising emerging talent. Either way, they're all Canadian, and they all look to make 2013 a year to remember.

Exclaim!'s 20 Most Anticipated Canadian Albums of 2013:

20. Renny Wilson
Sugarglider
(Mint Records)
Release Date: January 22

Edmonton songwriter Renny Wilson might not be the most instantly recognizable name on this list, but his album Sugarglider is undoubtedly one of the most promising releases of early 2013. His smooth style mixes soft rock with disco-dazzled pop, making for a sound that is as dreamy as it is danceable. In an announcement, the folks at Mint described it as their "go-to party record," but its synth and sax textures make it equally suited to headphone listening. (Alex Hudson)

19. No Joy
Title TBA
(Mexican Summer)
Release Date: TBA

No Joy recorded an entire experimentally minded album and recruited Raveonettes leader Sune Rose Wagner to mix it, but they scrapped the entire thing. Instead, they recorded a disc with producer Jorge Elbrecht (Chairlift, Violens), reportedly toning down the shoegaze squall in favour of a more unique sound. It's expected out in the spring. (Alex Hudson)

18. Rich Kidd
Title TBA
(Black Box Music)
Release Date: TBA

Toronto hip-hop producer Rich Kidd's production credits include big names like Drake, Saukrates and K-os, and he's also a talented MC in his own right. Having released a collaborative album with SonReal in 2012, he's prepping an album of his own for 2013. Making this even more exciting is the fact that SonReal also has a solo album due out through Black Box. (Alex Hudson)

17. Sinoia Caves
Beyond the Black Rainbow OST
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA

Despite the Vancouver-made Beyond the Black Rainbow coming out way back in 2010, the wait for Sinoia Caves' soundtrack for the film has been frustratingly long. As anyone fortunate enough to feast their eyes on the Panos Cosmatos-directed flick can attest, the cosmically laced score for the sci-fi/horror mind-fuck is one stellar piece of work, with Sinoia Caves (aka Jeremy Schmidt of Black Mountain) leading us into that great and frightening beyond via creeped-out synth epics that stand tall beside those by the likes of John Carpenter and Tangerine Dream. Rumours of a soundtrack release — from a well-respected American indie no less — have been swirling for a good year now. And while no official due date has been announced yet, we'll hopefully be able to lose ourselves in Beyond the Black Rainbow on our home stereos sometime this winter. (Brock Thiessen)

16. Boogat
El Dorado Sunset
(Maisonette Records)
Release Date: February 12

Ever since Montreal's favourite Spanish-language rapper dropped the Esperanto Sound System mixtape in collaboration with Poirier (rapping over everyone from Rusko to Chromeo to Maestro) almost two years ago, there's been increasing buzz about a proper first album. That record finally arrives in February to capitalize on his EP release, jazz festival appearances and growing connections in the world of Tropical Bass. Producers for El Dorado Sunset include Poirier, Schlachthofbronx and Thornato, with guests spots also coming from Radio Radio, Kid Koala and Lido Pimienta. (David Dacks)

15. Two Hours Traffic
Foolish Blood
(Bumstead)
Release Date: February 19

Foolish Blood is the follow-up to Two Hours Traffics' 2009 album Territory, and it features an altered lineup from the PEI indie rock band. Produced by Darryl Neudorf (the New Pornographers, Neko Case, the Sadies) at his Operation Northwoods studio in Ontario, the album features two songs from the recent EP Siren Spell. Guests include Arkells keyboardist Dan Griffin and pedal steel player Dale Murray. (Alex Hudson)

14. Hollerado
White Paint
(Royal Mountain Records)
Release Date: February 26

Hollerado's Record in a Bag was a ton of fun, so we've already got smiles on our faces just thinking about the upcoming sophomore album. White Paint was helmed by returning producer Gus Van Go, and the soaring power-pop single "Pick Me Up" suggests that this album won't be a huge departure from their past work. Considering how much attention their catchy tunes and fun-loving hijinks earned them in past few years, this is definitely a good thing. (Alex Hudson)

13. Daniel Romano
Come Cry with Me
(Normaltown Records)
Release Date: January 22

Having inked a deal with Normaltown, former Attack in Black member Daniel Romano will release his third solo album in the form of Come Cry with Me. According to a press release, "Romano's vintage country vibe and easy way with storytelling shine like the rhinestone-studded suits of country legend." In other words, expect this material to be in line with the songwriter's rustic recent work. (Alex Hudson)

12. Fuck the Facts

Title TBA
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA

As one of the most consistently iconoclastic and innovative grindcore acts in Canada (or anywhere, for that matter), Fuck the Facts are defined by both their sonically complex and constantly evolving sound, as well as their seemingly boundless drive. After two excellent releases in 2012 (studio full-length Die Miserable and the rawer, wilder Misery EP), Fuck the Facts are at the height of their powers. As such, the recent announcement that they are in the process of recording a new album was met with great anticipation. The as-yet-unnamed album is being recorded in Fuck the Facts' home studio in Ottawa, and all tracking of the music was completed (as per the band's studio page) over the weekend of December 29. Vocals are scheduled to be done in early January before the band embark upon an ambitious U.S. tour throughout early 2013. Based on their recent output, this new release is sure to once again combine the cacophony of grindcore with mechanical precision and control — a tight and torqued approach to noise that also captures authentic emotion. This future record is poised to be a boon for all aggressive music fans who like their listening particularly difficult and merciless. (Natalie Zina Walschots)

11. Doldrums
Lesser Evil
(Arbutus Records)
Release Date: February 26

Since the breakup of Spiral Beach, Airick Woodhead has built a reputation for creating wonderfully skewed soundscapes under the name Doldrums. Following some buzzed-about short-form releases, his debut full-length, Lesser Evil, is eagerly anticipated by fans of woozy electronic music. The 11-track collection was reportedly recorded over an 18-month period using a laptop borrowed from his pal Grimes. (Alex Hudson)

10. Hayden
Us Alone
(Arts & Crafts)
Release Date: February 5

Hayden's previous album, The Place Where We Lived, came out back in 2009, but his practically non-existent tour schedule means that it feels like ages since we heard from the acclaimed Canadian songwriter. His return with Us Alone has come as welcome news to many, with Arts & Crafts jumping on board for the release. He said in a statement, "I wanted the sound of five people walking into a room and playing a full set. With the exception of some stellar help from friends on a song or two, those five people were mostly just me." (Alex Hudson)

9. Tim Hecker
Title TBA
(Paper Bag Records/Kranky)
Release Date: TBA

Vancouver-born, Montreal-based sound sculptor Tim Hecker was part of an impressive batch of new signings for Paper Bag in 2012. Like his new labelmate Moonface, Hecker is planning a new album for 2013. While we don't have much confirmed information about this new disc, it's bound to be an adventurous and sonically rich affair. (Alex Hudson)

8. Blue Hawaii
Untogether
(Arbutus Records)
Release Date: January 22

Blue Hawaii's members have spent the last couple of years busy with other projects, as singer Raphaelle Standell-Preston (aka Raph) has been touring as a member of Braids, while Alex Cowan (aka Agor) has been recording electronic music in Europe. As the Lush-alluding title implies, the pair wrote Untogether apart, and a press release explains, "It is a meditation on communication: how technology and art influence modern human relationships." Our ears are perked and ready. (Alex Hudson)

7. KEN Mode
Title TBA
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA

Few acts have been able to simultaneously enjoy both the underground cred and mainstream recognition that KEN Mode have earned while simultaneously creating critically acclaimed music. The Winnipeg-based metal- and hardcore-influenced noisemakers won a Juno Award in the Heavy Metal/Hard Music category (in its inaugural year) for their 2011 record, Venerable, which also topped Exclaim!'s list of Best Metal Records of 2011. Their tight, relentless, shattering sound has a touch of the psychotic to it; their music leaves the listener constantly on edge, never sure if in the next moment the sound will bite or break. KEN Mode finished tracking the forthcoming album with Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Isis) in late September, and are expected to announce the title, as well as a new label, in early 2013. The band are also embarking upon an early spring tour with Today Is the Day, Black Tusk and Fight Amp. (Natalie Zina Walschots)

6. Tegan and Sara
Heartthrob
(Warner Bros.)
Release Date: January 29

"Closer," the first single from Tegan and Sara's Heartthrob, sounds a little unfamiliar coming from these indie rock twins, since it would be right at home in the playlist of a Top 40 dance club. The sisters seem to have developed an affection for '80s synth pop, meaning that this album could be an intriguing departure from 2009's Sainthood. Somehow, we're guessing that the electronic direction won't discourage countless fans from posting home-recorded acoustic covers to YouTube. (Alex Hudson)

5. Owen Pallett
In Conflict
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA

The Canadian violinist formerly known as Final Fantasy, Owen Pallett, tweeted back in November that his new album, In Conflict, will be "long and non-fictional." While he admitted that he has been "working on 'new album' off and on for a while," he said it was time to make a committed effort to finish it. Assuming this happens as planned, it will be one of the landmark events of the Canadian music calendar. Considering how many acts he's contributed strings to in recent years, plenty of folks are bound to be interested to hear what he comes up with next. (Alex Hudson)

4. Yamantaka // Sonic Titan
Title TBA
(Paper Bag Records)
Release Date: TBA

"Noh wave" experimentalists Yamantaka // Sonic Titan made a big splash with 2011's YT//ST, and they subsequently signed to Paper Bag Records for the follow-up. Having created a recent rock opera, they've been busy working on their second album. The band told Exclaim! that, unlike their debut, this one is being written with live shows in mind, which will mean a greater emphasis on electronics. (Alex Hudson)

3. Braids

Title TBA
(Label TBA)
Release Date: TBA

Braids' 2011 album Native Speaker earned a shortlist nod for the Polaris Music Prize, and now the avant-pop unit are looking ahead to album No. 2. While nothing has been officially confirmed, the band reportedly spent much of 2012 holed up in their garage studio working on songs that are apparently darker and most electronic-based than their joyous, Animal Collective-esque debut. (Alex Hudson)

2. Voivod
Target Earth
(Century Media)
Release Date: January 22

There's one reason that metalheads worldwide have Canada on their mind as we go into 2013: Voivod's Target Earth. The legendary Quebec prog thrashers may have lost original guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour to the great beyond in 2005, but the excellent guitar work by Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain makes it feel like nothing's changed. Add in the return of original bassist Jean-Yves Thériault and you get a metal chemistry that cannot be denied, with the tunes poised to be the band's best since their classic Nothingface/Angel Rat era. This means that fans can expect them to be absolutely mind-blowingly amazing pieces of pure metal perfection, made in Canada. (Greg Pratt)

1. Arcade Fire
Title TBA
(Merge Records/Sonovox)
Release Date: TBA

Arcade Fire's 2010 album, The Suburbs, was a mammoth smash, taking home the Polaris Music Prize, as well as winning big at the Grammys and the Junos. They even grabbed Exclaim!'s Pop & Rock album of the year in 2010. Despite not much being confirmed about the follow-up, it's already become feverishly anticipated. The last we heard, work on the album was well underway, and the band were looking ahead to late 2013 release. They apparently have 35 new songs to work with, including a few with LCD Soundsystem genius James Murphy. The album will presumably come out through Merge Records and the band's own Sonovox imprint. (Alex Hudson)

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