Halifax has never been short on musical talent.
The album releases from Halifax-based artists so far this year are proof of just how versatile this city’s musicians are. From rock releases that demand you shout along to mellow records that beg your ears to listen closely to every word, there is something for everyone in our local music scene.
Now that we’re halfway through the summer, it’s a good time to look back on what albums have stuck with us the most out of all this year’s releases. Some are full-length projects; others are EPS. Either way, they are all worth a listen.
1783 – Aquakulture
Aquakulture’s newest record 1783 dropped in February to rave reviews, and for good reason. Not only does Lance Sampson (the creative force behind Aquakulture) create a heart-wrenching mosaic of self-reflection and familial background; he weaves African Nova Scotian history, culture and social issues through it all. Conducting several interviews with elders in the community, Sampson used this knowledge to craft each track with social commentary and introspections on intergenerational trauma, all wrapped within soaring vocal melodies backed up by an angelic choir. The most striking songs are those concerning his great-grandfather, Daniel Perry Sampson, who was wrongly executed for murder in 1935. It’s haunting at times, but it’s overall hopeful, making it one of the most beautiful local albums to drop this year.
You can read our interview with Sampson about the album here.
Wishing Moon – Wintersleep
Wintersleep’s Wishing Moon comes after seven years of a lack of album releases from the Halifax indie rock band. This is in part due to the business of the band members: Paul Murphy has his POSTDATA project and several of the other members are playing in Contrived. However, Wishing Moon is proof that Wintersleep’s edge hasn’t dulled over time. They are still masters of switching between sounds, swinging from soft, acoustic melodies to fast, impactful power chords, all in a single track at times. Some songs are mellow, others are raw. Together, Wintersleep delivers yet another classic record. A fantastic listen for those into the technicalities of rock music.
The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer spoke to Wintersleep’s Loel Campbell about the release here.
Video Games – Mat Elliott
We all need distractions, but when can distractions become damaging? That’s the question asked and pondered on Mat Elliott’s Video Games, the full-length debut from Halifax-based indie soul artist. Synths back up his introspective-yet-entertaining romp through Elliott’s struggles, with a few acoustic-focused tracks for some of his most mellow moments. What really stands out about Elliott’s debut album is the lyricism. Whether it be the earworm of a hook on title track “Video Games” or the self-reflection on addiction on “Promises”, Elliott has something for everyone on this versatile record.
Mat Elliott tells The Coast about Video Games in this interview.
Teenage Widow – idialedyournumber
The newest album on this list is the most recent release from bit-pop emo project idialedyournumber, Teenage Widow. The first album professionally recorded by the project’s solo creator, Jessie Everill, it sharpens the lo-fi sound while never once losing the personal touch of her previous bedroom-produced records. The chiptune passages, vocals that swing from softly sung to screeching, and the raw, unfiltered and emotional lyrics will leave your soul wavering. Everill sings about change on this record, how time goes on while relationships form and fall apart. How major life events make you rethink your existence. It will touch your heart in one moment and have you raging alongside her in another. It’s full of young punk energy while taking a mature perspective on life, the universe and everything. It’s another iconic album from the Halifax-based artist whose popularity continues to soar online.
Everill spoke about the album and the recording process with The Coast here.
DEBUTANTE – Loviet
Loviet’s long-awaited EP DEBUTANTE dropped on April 10 of this year, and it delivered on the 2000s rock sound that she’s been mastering over the last few years. Mixing raw lyricism with shredding guitars and poppy hooks that stand out over the power chords and riffs, DEBUTANTE is Loviet’s attempt at clawing back the sound she loves after years of settling into genres that weren’t necessarily for her. There’s no doubt that she rocks it, bringing forward stories about being yourself when everyone and everything else is telling you otherwise. DEBUTANTE is an explosive set of tracks that are sure to get stuck in your head.
Loviet did a video interview with The Coast ahead of the EP release here.
The Prince of Birchy Head – Alexander Gallant
Alexander Gallant’s The Prince of Birchy Head is the best folk album to drop so far this year. We’ve said it before, but no one quite pulls off the guy-with-a-guitar schtick like Gallant. Perhaps it’s his witty, playful lyricism. His vocal melodies, perfectly paired with the pluck of his guitar strings. At times, he’s trying to be a little funny. At other times, he’s pulling at your heartstrings with stories of love and subtle self-reflections. This is a Sunday morning listen if there ever was one, meant to be paired with a cup of coffee.
Gallant chatted about his songwriting and more in this article.
7678 – June Body
7678 is a short EP released by Halifax-based alt-rock band June Body. Despite it being only three tracks and eight minutes in length, 7678 is fighting their previous album, Last Everythings, as the band’s best release to date. The self-titled intro track is a progressive medley of ideas and concepts from 1990s and 2000s rock into an intentional tapestry of sounds. “Alarms” is harsh and fuzzy, with vocalist Connor James cutting through the noise with his honest, self-critical lyricism. “Red Sun” might be June Body’s best track: a constant rising tension repeatedly released through the soaring, emotional chorus. If this is your first exposure to June Body, there’s never been a better place to start.
James confessed all about the EP in this conversation with The Coast.
