If you’re looking to revamp your playlists, why not do so with some homegrown talent? From Lights’ addictive new album to 80-year-old Leonard Cohen’s recent chart-topper and Billy Talent’s upcoming compilation of greatest hits, here are 5 Canadian albums you need to know now.
Lights: Little Machines
Three words: Every. Single. Song.
Lights’ latest album, Little Machines (released September 23) is the type of upbeat album that you’ll play on repeat and know the words to every song two days after downloading. It’s perfect to blast while getting ready for a big night on the town or while in the car. Quick favourites include the empowering “On We Go,” already a radio staple, and what to us is the ultimate love story, “Don’t Go Home Without Me.”
We promise you’ll be listening to it all week (and weekend).
Arkells: High Noon
High Noon, the third full-length studio album of the two-time Juno Award-winning Hamilton rockers Arkells, was released late this past summer.
Inspired by everyone from The Clash to Kanye West and Katy Perry, it’s the band’s most successful album to date, debuting third on the Canadian Albums Chart in its first week. Admittedly, it has more commercial appeal than the band’s first two albums, and is full of catchy, sing-along songs that still manage not to venture too far from their indie rock roots. Despite having undeniably more radio appeal, the band themselves has called the album their most “confrontational” yet in its taking on of political issues.
Leonard Cohen: Popular Problems
When Canadian legend Leonard Cohen turned 80 last month, he released a new album two days later to celebrate.
And what is his 13th studio album (his second album since his unexpected return to the stage in 2008) has just topped the Canadian Album Chart – along with charts around the world. The album, Popular Problems, features nine new songs, which, not surprisingly, tackle some big subjects – everything from civil war to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the Holocaust. In signature style, it’s full of mystery, religion and sex references. It’s also rich with reflective hymns, gospel-charged songs, soulful female backup vocals, subtle computer beats, a touch of blues, and, of course, Cohen’s poetic folk roots.
Billy Talent: Hits
If you were looking to rediscover (or discover) Billy Talent, your chance will soon come.
The band will release a 14-track greatest hits album on November 4th. Appropriately titled Hits, the album will feature the band’s most popular singles from their last four studio albums, in addition to two brand new songs, “Kingdom of Zod” (which was released as a single last week) and “Chasing the Sun.” In the meantime, the Billy Talent website has been transformed into a “Video Vault,” a series of exclusive video content of the band offering commentary for each song on Hits, all of which Ben Kowalewicz has said have “changed” and “sculpted” the band.
Lowell: We Loved Her Dearly
We first saw Lowell perform live at Festival Music House this past TIFF and were blown away.
And at just 22 years old, the Toronto native – who has been compared to everyone from Lily Allen to Grimes – shows no signs of slowing down, especially after the September 16th release of her debut album, We Loved Her Dearly. Though she’s a young, blonde pop artist, her music is anything from Britney Spears bubblegum. In a mix of slow and sultry ballads to electro-pop party anthems, she sings freely about women’s issues, sexuality and overcoming shameless demons of the past (including life as a former stripper, with songs like “I Love You Money.”) But the album also features lighter tracks, like the lingering-in-your-head “Summertime,” a tribute to the lazy, hazy days.
#NOTABLE
Cover image from: istockphoto.com/Cobalt
Want more updates on the most Notable things happening so you know before your colleagues do? Get our exclusive newsletter here and follow us on Twitter for all the latest.
