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Toronto

The Spheres packed their alt indie synth-pop debut, The City of Lights, with evocative kryptonite

Posted on 16 November 2022

If it’s been a while since a debut single has left you utterly obsessed, delve into The Spheres’ alternatively inclined amalgam of 80s synth pop, indie-rock, and dance, The City of Lights. From the suburbs of Toronto, the duo lit up the airwaves with their infectiously hook-rife account of the frontman’s complicated relationship with his city of birth, Karachi, Pakistan. “In the city of lights, you die just for dreaming”, is cuttingly efficacious in alluding to the toll it took on the singer-songwriter and producer Reza Habib.

With the vibrato in the vocals spilling evocative kryptonite across the catchy synth-pop melodies, The City of Lights will blind you with its luminous soul before the solid riffs and punchier vocals conclude the track on a raucous high that will leave you itching for more. Thankfully, that itch will be scratched as more singles from the debut album will drop before its full release in Spring 2023.

Stick The City of Lights to your synapses by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Canadian jazz project THERMO warm us up with the toasty release Betty’s Buns

Posted on 8 November 2022
Birdlike by THERMO

Lifted off their silky smooth 10-track album Birdlike to release all previous worries in the sky, THERMO displays the kind of grace and care needed to appease all nerves on the wonderfully tranquil Betty’s Buns.

THERMO is a Toronto/Ottawa, Canada-based indie jazz project which is melted together so stylishly by Mike Manny and Nathan Hiltz.

”The group was formed during the pandemic thanks to the low latency internet platform Syncspace. This allowed the group to develop, rehearse, and perform music by Freddie Hubbard, Art Blakey, and Oscar Peterson while 600km apart at the speed of fibre optic cable.” ~ THERMO

Reconciling us up from those pesky worries that can hurt your heart, THERMO takes into a better time when everything was slower and happier. Rich is character and showing so much poise and skill, we find ourself floating into amicable waters.

Betty’s Buns from Toronto/Ottawa, Canada-based indie jazz duo THERMO is such a calmingly delightful song which will surely ease many worries away in an instant. Smooth in nature and crowded full of punch, this is absolute delight to listen to and is one of the more mood-changing releases in 2022, without doubt.

Listen up on Bandcamp and see more vibes on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Circonflex Interview: taking us back to our core with monumental new release Lorem ipsong

Posted on 2 November 2022

With their likeable charm and groovy treats to keep our hungry stomachs filled, we were blessed to speak to Circonflex about their excellent new release called Lorem ipsong. There are delightfully vibrant energies inside their music, so A&R Factory sat down and found out more about this dynamic outfit.

Hello Circonflex. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. To start, please let everyone know where you’re from and based currently?

Hello! I am based in Montreal, Canada! But Circonflex also has offices in Toronto and Paris (France!). We speak French, English, and….a bit of Latin!

When you close your eyes and imagine the vision of your new project called Lorem ipsong, what do you see?

We actually wrote this during the pandemic. Our vision was to put a smile on people’s faces during such a difficult time. We thought, music IS a universal language, and these lorem ipsum lyrics are non-specific, so everyone can dance!
Also, I like to imagine songwriters starting to use the Lorem Ipsum lyrics to help them to find a new topline. It helps designers to structure their graphic design, so why can’t these lyrics help composers structure their melodies?

Have you found the live music scene in your local area feels back to normal again?

Pretty much! It’s so great to see people getting together again. I can’t wait to walk into a venue where a band is actually playing a Lorem Ipsong cover!

How would you describe your sound to a complete stranger?
Our sound can vary quite a bit – really it is anything YOU want. We pride ourselves in writing orginal (bespoke) music that resonates. We also do audio branding: so we are known to discover the sound you’ve been searching for.

Your new song is super funky and certainly gets my feet tapping. Do you love making tracks that get the party started?
Absolutely! Have you tried memorizing the rap part? Challenge accepted?

Which musicians in the world inspire you the most?
You know, there are so many great musicians! It’s hard answer this question honestly. But these days, my favorite songwriter is Cicero – who actually wrote the lyrics of Lorem Ipsong in 45 BC!

Do you have anything lined up gig-wise in 2023 and where can we find you?
Hopefully writing more tracks that people love! We made Lorem Ipsum sound amazing – imagine what else we can do!
Which makes me think – maybe we should try and remix the song? Or is there anyone out there who’d like to give it a try?
The stems are available right here: www.circonflex.com/lorem!

–

Find this facinating outfit on Spotify.

View their website for more.

Interview by Llewelyn Screen

I Am Free Now: Oceans of Tears shows us the real picture on JE SUIS LIBRE- I AM FREE

Posted on 2 October 2022

Taken from the well-received rock musical BULLET IN A GUN – DROWNED IN A SEA OF TEARS, Oceans of Tears returns with a deep story that is filled with sadness and true life in a nutshell on JE SUIS LIBRE- I AM FREE.

Oceans of Tears is a Toronto, Ontario, Canada-based indie pop/rock project from artist Steve W. Boily who fearlessly develops popular rock and children’s musicals, songs and videos.

”A semi-autobiographical socially relevant, thought-provoking musical which deals with sometimes “heavy” and often “provocative” themes. In this song, performed by a great vocalist, JOHANNE GAGNON-DEMERS, with music by Jim Crighton and Michael Sadler from the amazing and under appreciated rock band SAGA; the lyrics written by Steve W. Boily & his music collective “Oceans of Tears/ Océans de Pleurs” speak about a teen who is admitted in an insane institution due to her recent suicide attempt, to get away from the physical & emotional abuse she has received from her alcoholic parents.” ~ Oceans of Tears

After the sea-bending experience on October 2021 release Drowned In A Sea Of Tears Remix (feat. Nick Preymay Jr), Oceans of Tears joins forces yet again with Les productions ALASKA Productions and the results are quite scintillating.

JE SUIS LIBRE- I AM FREE from Toronto, Ontario, Canada-based indie pop/rock project Oceans of Tears is one of the most honest songs you are likely to hear in 2022. Soaked with an unmistakable rawness that takes us into the mind of someone who has had to deal with too much too young, showing us where society needs to be better rather quickly.

Being free is what all kind souls deserve, after all.

See more on YouTube and see the progression continue on Steve’s IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

 

Duck And Hide: Chris Sunfield can’t unfold those deep feelings on Are We In Love

Posted on 18 September 2022

After guiding us to an inspired place to move upwards after so much pain on Begin, Chris Sunfield continues his inspiring road to showing us that anything is possible if you want it enough on the romantic new single Are We In Love.

Chris Sunfield is a multi-talented Toronto, Canada-based indie pop singer-songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist who quietly wrote songs for decades and has recently emerged from the shadows.

”Chris recorded his first songs in high school. He was accepted into a university music program despite not knowing how to read music. He struggled and soon switched majors, eventually receiving a PhD in psychology and ending up as a consultant.” ~ Chris Sunfield giving us further insight into his early music and career life (taken from his website).

Shipping us into a kiss-filled story that shows us the doubts that many of us face when starting something new, Chris Sunfield is in a supremely joyous mood and guides into a promising world that might have your stomach flying with butterflies.

”Still on crutches, he dug out all of his music gear and wrote his first completed song in years as a way of coping. It re-awakened him as an artist. He sold his house, moved back to the city, and began working with producers.” ~ Chris Sunfield guiding us through the special moment when everything changed for the better (taken from his website)

Are We In Love from Toronto, Canada-based indie pop artist Chris Sunfield is a groovy single that leads us into that heart beating story about wondering if a romance is real or not. Sending our mood into overdrive while also reflecting on what could go wrong down the road, ultimately going for a ride together and seeing what could happen as two souls connect as one. Sung with a pure intent and a catchy production to slow dance with, this is an absolute gem of a song to play loud all night.

When you give love a shot, anything is actually possible.

Listen up to this fine single on Spotify and find out more via his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Toronto’s hottest name in hip hop, INFAMOU$$ waxes lyrical wit in ‘Count Me IN’

Posted on 3 August 2022

In a time where people speak so little sense, Jordan Peterson has somehow become the voice of reason; artists such as INFAMOU$$, with their witty introspection, are worth their weight in gold.

His latest single, Count Me IN, is a grime-y, pop-infused atmospherically vibe-driven track which sees the Toronto-based rapper waxing lyrical on the banalities of common idioms before sharing his urban pearls of wisdom. With the momentum in his steady, cheeky vocals, the minimalism in the instrumentals becomes almost hypnotic as you listen to the emotionally balanced track run-through. He’s a cut above the rest; his listeners will need stitches.

The official music video for Count Me IN premiered on July 14th. Check it out for yourselves on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Emilia breathes new life into the world just when we needed it most on ‘Paradise’

Posted on 17 July 2022

With her teasingly much-anticipated full album out for release later on this year, the sultry, polished and sweetly natural sounds of Emilia, drifts us into a love inspired wave which might send your imagination into a peaceful dream in ‘Paradise‘.

Emilia is a Toronto, Canada-born indie-pop/RnB singer-songwriter who is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and seems to flow so beautifully into every creation.

”It talks about the exciting beginning feelings of falling in love and wanting to enjoy that time with your person.” ~ Emilia

Showing much enticing progression from her debut release in 2020, called ‘Almost There‘, Emilia graces us with possibly the hypnotic summer lover track of 2022 so far. ‘Paradise‘ is a tasty sip back into that perfect time you get excited about. When nothing else was around. You were in the moment and it felt like you were under the spell of someone so ridiculously enchanting.

‘Paradise‘ from Toronto, Canada-born indie-pop/RnB singer-songwriter Emilia might have you smiling softly to yourself as you feel the wonderful glow of a newbie relationship. That early stimulating part which feels like it will last forever, as your heart stops for a few seconds and you say things you wouldn’t ever reveal about yourself with anyone else in the world.

True love is when you just know, right?

Witness this beautiful release Spotify and see more about this angelic soul on her IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Yvngchxppa shows us inside the struggle to encounter stability in loving relationships on ‘Carmen’s Keep’

Posted on 5 July 2022

Lifting the lit on that constant game to stay real with yourself when you look into the mirror within the fake walls of this highly superficial society, Yvngchxppa strolls through the wild world that can have even the most calm human feeling rather anxious inside ‘Carmen’s Keep‘.

Yvngchxppa is a Nigerian-born, Toronto, Canada-based indie Hip hop artist and music producer who has been recognized for his frequent collaborations with quality emerging artists.

”His recent collaborative album with fellow Toronto artist Badmanbead, Under Surveillance, has been burning up the streets since its early 2021 release.” ~ Yvngchxppa

Bringing us a catchy new track loaded with true life stories that many of us can learn from, Yvngchxppa is at his insightful best with a superb display that shall revive the truth inside us all.

”If love is a drug, I’m an addict.” ~ Yvngchxppa

‘Carmen’s Keep‘ from Nigerian-born, Toronto, Canada-based indie Hip hop artist and music producer Yvngchxppa is an honest single that shall reflect the mood of many in this consumer-centric system. With our minds too busy and so much counterfeit noise bellowing out from the speakers when they should be calm, this is a reminder that we need to find the right connection. If not, the torrid turbulence might drown our precious soul out from fulfilling our goals and desires.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see his movements on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Toronto’s Jason Maxwell wanted it to last but finds that his former lover has moved on with, ‘For Now’

Posted on 1 June 2022

Released via Believe Music Canada/Flying Colours Music/Glacier Bay Entertainment and recorded in Nashville’s legendary Blackbird Studios, Jason Maxwell can see right through her eyes on the breakup fueled single about wishing for a different outcome with, ‘For Now‘.

Jason Maxwell is a Toronto, Ontario-based indie country/pop singer-songwriter who makes that emotionally-charged music to heal with.

“Even though we had been broken up for a long time, I felt that things weren’t fully over between us. I loved her and still saw a future together. It was disheartening to realize that our relationship was really over and that she had moved on definitively.” ~ Jason Maxwell

Sung with a splendidly confident style that shall induce some rather resonant emotions to spill over, Jason Maxwell shows us how we need to know that something is properly over – before we can walk away for good – knowing that we tried to make things work.

”The single follows Maxwell’s performance in the Netflix movie “Full Out 2: You Got This!” which also featured his single “Girls Like to Dance” on the official movie soundtrack.” ~ Jason Maxwell

‘For Now‘ from Toronto, Ontario-based indie country/pop singer-songwriter Jason Maxwell is a story that so many of us will probably have experienced or seen first-hand from a close friend. Steering us through the deep trauma of not having that closure needed to move on, this is the message that many need to hear. Ending the chapter properly and having that uncomfortable conversation, will truly set you free even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time.

Hear this new single on Spotify and check out the IG music page for more news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The gloves are off in Sarah Shafey’s latest indie-electro hit, Competitor

Posted on 27 May 2022

Fans of Shiny Toy Guns, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and She Wants Revenge will find just as many reasons to get addicted to the heavy production in the Toronto-based singer-songwriter, producer and mixing engineer Sarah Shafey’s latest single, Competitor.

The gloves are officially off in the stylishly fierce indie-electro hit, which is a harbinger of even more visceral things to come from her upcoming fourth album, Blackbox Universe, which is due for release in September 2022. With her tendency to meld genres outside of the electronica spectrum, there’s an immersive tapestry of original layers to her sound, which not only lends itself to the originality, but also to the synapses that will fire upon registering the unadulterated expression that knows very little, if anything of assimilation.

Competitor released in May 2022. You can check it out for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast