1: Nic Power “Anything Forever”

Montreal’s Palmetto have been tearing up local clubs for the last couple of years now, slowly building up a catalogue of songs that eventually would be released last year as Summertime In Space. While fans of Palmetto anxiously await a follow up, the members of the band have been keeping busy with solo projects, and the latest out of the gate is guitarist / co-vocalist Nic Power with a three song toe -dip titled “Anything Forever” available for download through Fishbum records. It’s interesting when a single member of a band like Palmetto, who’s sound and identity is carved out by that underlying chemistry that exists between all the players, breaks out with an isolated musical statement of their own. Much like Palmetto bandmate Pablo Garcia- Rejon’s solo excursion El Fuego with Jyraph, his spanish language psych -folk project, Nic Power’s trio of songs on Anything Forever, stand apart from the main gig in sound and approach. For this release Power handled the recording, vocals, guitars and synths and is accompanied by Paul Jacobs (Pottery, Paul Jacobs Band) on drums with mastering by Scott Beaulieu.

At only three songs, Anything Forever is an extremely satisfying slice of all the things Nic Power brings to his main band, and manages to keep a pace that makes his solo statement a fluid one.

First track, the excellently titled Contemporary Love Song is the kind of musical jaunt that will leave you strutting down the street with your head full of summer haze. The hushed vocals sit below a fluttering synth, anchored by funky rhythms and a stoner groove permeates like smoke throughout.

Title track Anything Forever uses an 80’s gloss to great effect, that wouldn’t sound out of place in the AM pop side of Ariel Pink’s catalogue. The song acts as a perfect bridge between the airy breeze of Contemporary Love Song and the guitar thunder of closing track The Warper, stretching out to both ends of the spectrum.

The adrenalized The Warper shares some of the rock n roll DNA found in the likes of Thee Oh Sees and King Gizzard showcasing Power’s knack for robust guitar riffs. Hold onto your seat for when the guitars part ways to allow for some beautiful vocal harmonies to rise to the surface, only to once again have the guitars crash back into the fold, it might just knock you out of your seat.

2: Red Mass S/T (Semprini Records)

Red Mass is s a constant here and their latest album Kilrush Drive has been a soundtrack to these ears, for most of 2019. Following Red Mass’ electrifying set on Saturday opening for The Cult to a sold out audience at MTelus, I dipped back into 2009’s self-titled Semprini release. Although it was the third time seeing Red Mass is as many months, watching them keep the full capacity audience’s attention throughout was nothing short of thrilling. By the time Red Mass broke out Weird Mess it was obvious that onlookers were being converted one by one. With the newer material getting priority in my headphones of late, it was a worthy trip back to some of the first sounds I had ever heard from Red Mass.

These seven songs would provide a template for the many different directions the band would dip in and out of leading up to where the band lay in 2019. The original version of Saturn, like a siren song seduced me upon first hearing it. The Semprini version takes me back to my initial introduction to the band, witnessing a three night stand at Toronto’s Silver Dollar. Three night’s, three completely different experiences. Wether it’s the art punk of Success For Crime, the manic shake of Weird Mess or the face melting shredding of I’m On Fire, the Semprini release illustrates that Vucino’s early vision for the band sounds fully realized, with many of these songs carrying the weight of the band’s eariler live performances, and still holding place in Red Mass’ current set lists. Hearing Weird Mess last Saturday at MTelus has no doubt once again opened a wormhole into Red Mass’ back catalogue, see you on the other side.

3: Self Discovery for Social Survival

If you have started assembling the soundtrack to your summer, you might want to take note of the soundtrack to Self Discovery For Social Survival, out June 14 by the good folks at Mexican Summer & Pilgrim Surf +Supply. Self Discovery For Social Survival aims to re-imagine the surf film genre and the synthesis between the images of the film and the soundtrack, which was recorded in tandem with the film. The album boasts new contributions by the likes of Allah-Las, Peaking Lights, Dungen, Connan Mockasin & Andrew VanWyngarden of (MGMT) and Jefre Cantu-Ledesma. The first of five Allah-las contributions, Rasberry Jam, doesn’t tread too far from the sun soaked surf instrumentals found on their first two albums nor does it disappoint. Dungen’s Var Har Du Varit lifts and pulls like the swells that will surely be on display throughout the film. Pushing the album into more experimental or untraditional territory is Connan Mockasin & Andrew Van Wyngarden’s gonzo excursion Bad Boys. Can’t wait to take the whole thing in.

You can find out more about it here.

4: Mattiel

Since Mattiel’s debut album arrived in 2017, we have waited anxiously to catch her perform live. Several weeks back, our time came when Mattiel played to a very small crowd at Quai Des Brumes here in Montreal. What a treat to hear the songs we’ve listened to over the course the last couple of years, finally presented live, not to mention the generous preview of new material from the forthcoming album Satis Factory. Her band completely commanded everybody’s attention at every turn, leading me to constantly look about the room in disbelief, that there were not more witnesses to this exceptional talent. Mattiel’s songs and process seem to be constantly evolving and the first two singles from the new album are already pointing into new territory and confidence. One thing is for sure, with sold out shows across Europe and the States, the cult of Mattiel is surely growing everyday, the opportunity to see Mattiel in such an intimate venue has surely come and gone. Keep your ear to the ground for Mattiel’s Satis Factory released June 14, in the meantime check out 2017’s Mattiel and 2018’s Customer Copy EP

5: Rosey Dust “Keep For Life” b/w “She’s The One”

For the last three months Rosey Dust’s single Keep For Life b/w She’s The One have received considerable play through my speakers. Hailing from Portland Oregon, Rosey Dust was initially a 4 track bedroom recording project by Kevin Klausen. News of the single also brought news that Klausen had assembled a full band to record the songs he first put down as initial demos. The results are a satisfying no- frills -necessary hook in the ear. Calling to mind The Replacements, Big Star or the Lemonheads, Rosey Dust peddle a frayed denim burn out cool brand of rock n’ roll that sounds like the band might have been lifted out of the mid west circa 1986, a timeless brand of rock n’ roll that benefits traditional arrangements, that no doubt your uncle will also love. The Mascis -like guitar solo on b-side She’s The One is certain to give you goosebumps, giving me the impression that whenever a full length materializes, it will no doubt shred. Until then play and repeat.

Nic Power/ Red Mass/ Self Discovery For Social Survival/ Mattiel/ Rosey Dust