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FYI

Reuben And The Dark: All Or Nothing

The folk-rockers explore a penchant for the anthemic on this compelling new single from a third album coming May 4. Mainman Reuben Bullock's resonant voice tackles intensely personal subject matter.

Reuben And The Dark: All Or Nothing

By Kerry Doole

Reuben And The Dark: "All or Nothing" (Arts & Crafts): The folk-rock combo has just announced May 4 as the release date for its next album, Arms Of A Dream. Advance singles "Heart In Two" and "Hurricane" have done well at Commercial Alternative radio and CBC Radio 2, and a new single, "All Or Nothing," has just come out.


In a label press release, Bullock explains that “‘All or Nothing’ was locked in my head for a long time. When it was finally written, I was left with a feeling of freedom, of letting go. But I am careful not to corner it into a room that is too small. It is simple and universal. It isn’t a love song. It isn’t a protest song. It is an anthem of mine.”

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It has a stirring and soaring dynamic that will evoke comparisons to Mumford & Sons, with strings and backing vocals creating a very full-blooded sound. The intensely personal lyrics address the family drama via lines like "my mother found solace in hiding her pain, my father is a shepherd, no sheep to his name."

The album is produced by Stephen “Koz” Kozmeniuk, Adrianne “AG” Gonzalez, and Graham Lessard, with mixing by Matty Green, and is the hard-earned result of three years of songwriting exploration by Reuben Bullock.

The band played in NYC last night and begins an eight-date Ontario tour at Market Hall in Peterborough on March 15, closing out at The Drake in Toronto on March 28. Check the itinerary here

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U.S. Girls
Colin Medley

U.S. Girls

FYI

New & Upcoming Album Releases: U.S. Girls Delivers 'Scratch It,' Aysanabee Releases 'Edge of the Earth'

This week also sees new releases from Punjabi artist Sultaan, Montreal indie pop artist Meggie Lennon and more.

The summer album release calendar is heading up.

Toronto singer-songwriter Meg Remy, aka U.S. Girls, a critical favourite and Polaris Prize shortlister is releasing her new album Scratch It this week. She recruited a strong group of Nashville players including Dillon Watson (D. Watusi, Savoy Motel), Jack Lawrence (The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs, Loretta Lynn), Domo Donoho on drums and harmonica legend Charlie McCoy (Elvis, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison). In just ten days, Remy and the band recorded Scratch It live off the floor with minimal overdubs, mixed to tape, old-school style. It's a max of country, gospel, garage rock, soul, disco, folk and more.

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