Single Servings, June 14, 2021
This week’s Single Servings finds country star Brett Kissel getting philosophical, the Lightman Jarvis Ecstatic Band getting weird, Ruben Young getting ready to explode, and much more!
By Jason Schneider
This week’s Single Servings finds country star Brett Kissel getting philosophical, the Lightman Jarvis Ecstatic Band getting weird, Ruben Young getting ready to explode, and much more!
Big Wreck – Middle Of Nowhere (feat. Chad Kroeger)
Release Date: June 9
Label: Warner Music Canada
It sure sounds like somebody is jonesing to get back on the road. As a reminder of what rock shows used to feel like, this new track concocted by two of Canada’s rawk radio mainstays hits all the marks—from a lurching, bluesy main riff, to a larynx-shredding chorus and obligatory wah-wah guitar solo. Feels a little paint-by-numbers, but at this point I don’t think anyone can object to hearing a Marshall amp cranked to 11.
Stream here
Martha Wainwright – Love Will Be Reborn
Release Date: June 9
Label: Cooking Vinyl
Her first music in five years finds Wainwright in an optimistic frame of mind, casting a melodic spell in the spirit of her folk-rock forebearers, while emphasizing a contemporary groove. Credit must be given to producer Pierre Marchand for putting all of these elements into a proper balance, which should raise expectations for the full album, also entitled Love Will Be Reborn, due to arrive on Aug. 20.
Pre-Order here
Savannah Ré – 24hrs
Release Date: June 8
Label: Universal Music Canada
Winner of this year’s inaugural Juno Award for Traditional R&B/Soul Recording, Toronto’s Savannah Ré builds on that triumph with this track that showcases her wide-ranging vocal technique that plays off of a delicately plucked guitar pattern. A lot of feel-good vibes on this one, and plenty to indicate that more Junos are sure to be coming her way.
Stream here
Lightman Jarvis Ecstatic Band – Nymphea
Release Date: June 8
Label: Flemish Eye/Anti- Records
When two fearlessly adventurous musical entities like Yves Jarvis and Romy Lightman (also of Tasseomancy) join forces, the results are destined to be unclassifiable. That’s certainly the case with this preview of the album Banned, out June 25. Everything about Nymphea seems slightly off-kilter and out of focus, creating a jarring psychedelic effect that still somehow demands repeated listens—perhaps after you’ve taken peyote.
Stream: here
Brett Kissel – Make A Life, Not A Living
Release Date: June 3
Label: Warner Music Canada/ONErpm
The pride of Flat Lake, Alberta recently released the album What Is Life?, probably a question I doubt many modern country artists ponder too often. But props to Kissel for going a bit deeper than he’s done in the past, particularly on this track that offers some sage advice for those starting to plot their emergence from the pandemic.
Stream: here
Joe Nolan – Solid Gold
Release Date: June 11
Label: Fallen Tree Records
Edmonton troubadour Nolan made a strong impression with 2020s acoustic excursion Drifters, and he’s set to follow it up this fall with a new collection called Scrapper. First single Solid Gold fills out the instrumentation a bit more, but the intimacy Nolan seems able to effortlessly conjure remains his greatest strength.
Stream here
Franky Fade – Vertige
Release Date: June 10
Label: Bonsound
This francophone hip-hop artist delivers many sonic surprises on this first taste of his debut album due later this later. Vertige flows in an almost meditative manner, with Fade’s unobtrusive rapping mixing perfectly within a kaleidoscope of sounds. For those seeking a translation, he says that the song is, “a representation of my fear of loving, and being loved in return.”
Stream here
The Hello Darlins – Mountain Time
Release Date: June 11
Label: Independent
Having garnered a ton of international attention for their single releases over the past year, this Calgary-based roots supergroup, that counts the Brothers Landreth and Matt Andersen among its auxiliary members, has finally released its debut album, Go By Feel. Their approach is beautifully captured on the new single Mountain Time, a classic country rocker, highlighted by vocalist Candace Lacina’s powerful performance.
Steve Marriner – How High
Release Date: June 8
Label: Stony Plain
As one-third of the much-decorated blues band MonkeyJunk, Marriner has long proven himself a master within that genre. But on July 2, he returns as a solo artist with Hope Dies Last, which, judging by How High, promises to be a harder rocking affair. Marriner taps into his inner Jimmy Page on this track, meaning every blues-rock fan should be aware of what he’s up to.
Pre-Save here
Ruben Young & Buddy – TNT
Release Date: June 11
Label: Set Records/UMG
This collab between Calgary R&B artist Young and L.A. rapper Buddy lives up to its title as a blast of vintage ‘80s funk, with horns provided by members of Busty & The Bass. Released just in time for summer, this is the kind of jam meant for cruising with the top down, and shows why Young is poised to make a major breakthrough.
Stream here
