The Auckland power-pop, alt-rock, multi-hyphenate-indie quartet bring an affable charm and effortless musical virtuosity to ear-wormy, emotionally taut songs you can just as easily mosh or cry to depending on what you pick and the emotions you bring to it.
Speaking Evil Never Sounded So Sweet
Speak Evil is the latest and final EP from Ottawa’s favourite simian namesake rock outfit, Bonobo Backlash. Still, they made sure that their departure was accompanied by a soundtrack to be remembered.
The Astros: Just Around the Corner
On Just Around the Corner, the latest album from The Astros, I can hear the band’s cogs turning; “what does this really mean”.
Two years following the release of their debut album, Sci-Fi Radio, I was strapping myself in for more fuzzed out riffage, tasteful instrumentation, and more jams to jump around to.
Teenage Fiction: Déjà Rêvé
Massive instrumentation, mature arrangements, cerebral lyrics, and oh so many tasty riffs: this is Teenage Fiction at their best. Teenage Fiction’s new EP, “Déjà Rêvé,” is a vibrant exploration of emotional depth and existential questioning, all wrapped up in a diverse sonic landscape.
UNBRIDLED JOY, OR, “MEETING” JEFF ROSENSTOCK
If there’s a single word to describe the long-awaited return of Jeff Rosenstock to Ottawa, it would be joy. There was an unmistakable joy from the band and the crowd alike that spoke to a unique and meaningful sense of community, DIY punk’s cool uncle helped create.
Positive Charge: How to Fit In and How It Matters
Punk Rock at its finest, Positive Charge’s new album “How to Fit In and Why It Matters” speaks to my little punk heart. Great riffage, vocal delivery, and musicianship bring the poignant lyrics to life in this nine-track album that will leave you wanting more.
Stoby: Reinventing the Waltz
November 13th saw the release of Stoby’s third album “Reinventing the Waltz”. This project started in 2017 as the band was first coming together.
Different Zoo, Same Old Monkey: Out by Lucy review
What do you get when you cross a goofy, sarcastic sense of humour, with impressive musicianship and songs so catchy that audiences know every word before they’re even released? You get Out by Lucy.
When Music Meets Fashion
On August 18th, 2023, the Rainbow was home to a multidisciplinary music show by the local band, Kaspien. The noticeable sense of camaraderie amongst the guests could be attributed to the crowd, which would grow in size as the night grew older.
The curious case of Sparrow’s Valley
What do you get when you cross shredding guitar, groovy bass lines and thunderous drums with lush synth pads, ripping keytar solos and a vocoder? You get the debut album “Sparrow’s Valley” from Ottawa rock outfit Sparrow’s Valley.