New Canadian Music: Yves Jarvis, Hot Mud, Braden Lam & More
It’s another Friday ending, another week wrapping up, and with it, the end of another February. Amidst sifting through countless emails, I find myself at the brink of exhaustion. However, my work continues. Let me introduce you to some of the exceptional new sounds emerging from our country.
Yves Jarvis, known offstage as Jean-Sébastien Yves Audet, has recently dropped his latest album, “All Cylinders,” accompanied by the music video for “One Gripe.” A warm and vibrant track, “One Gripe” delves into the act of voicing grievances. Jarvis himself reflects on the song, sharing, “Though it does not go unappreciated, loved ones dish out hard truths when I just want to hear myself talk.” The lyrics, “Talked all night / I needed your advice / One gripe / You don’t tell me what I want to hear / You keep it real,” embody this sentiment. Referenced influences for this track include roller rinks, John Mayer, The Doobie Brothers, and Daft Punk. The album as a whole showcases Jarvis’s exceptional musical talents, featuring 11 tracks where he plays all the instruments without any additional contributions. Working from various locations, including Montreal and L.A., Jarvis recorded much of the album on simple Audacity software, foregoing elaborate production techniques.
With a different sound, Hot Mud introduces his single “Nowhere Town,” an anthemic indie-rock piece catering to dreamers hailing from small towns. The song articulates a yearning to explore the world amidst a mundane existence. The infectious chorus where Hot Mud sings, “Just need a little more money, just need a little more time,” resonates with the listener long after the song concludes. Accompanied by a music video inspired by the opening theme of Hot Mud’s beloved TV show, “The Kids In The Hall,” this track is part of Hot Mud’s ongoing “Shiny Single Sessions” project, guaranteeing a new release each month.
Braden Lam’s latest offering, “Hurricane Season,” serves as the final single from his debut album “The Cloudmaker’s Cry,” set for an April release. The urgent track, showcasing visionary roots-Americana sound, delves into the human nature of desire and envy, sparked by Lam’s experience during the turbulent Hurricane Fiona. A reflection on the catastrophic event and its societal repercussions, “Hurricane Season” explores themes of anxiety and collective behavior under duress.
Jenny Palacios steps into the limelight with her dynamic single “Took,” a fusion of rock, alt-pop, and pop-rock genres. The song explores the complexities of digital identity and the pressures imposed by online personas. Through upbeat energy and witty irony, Palacios delves into her struggle with maintaining authenticity in the digital realm and the toll it takes on her self-perception. The accompanying lyric video visualizes this internal conflict with a blend of playful and poignant imagery, highlighting the tension between maintaining authenticity and succumbing to online pressures.
Nares unveils the haunting single “Levitate” in collaboration with 8485, a visual and auditory exploration of transformation, isolation, and connection. With ethereal melodies and introspective lyrics, “Levitate” delves into longing and emotional depth, reflecting an extensive creative process. The official music video, co-directed by Nares and Jonathan Matta, presents a dreamlike narrative inspired by Lynchian aesthetics and Jungian symbolism, encapsulating the song’s evocative essence.
These artists stand at the forefront of Canadian music, each bringing their unique sounds and perspectives to the fore, enriching the musical landscape with their creative endeavors. As these mesmerizing tracks resonate with audiences, they serve as a testament to the vibrant and diverse Canadian music scene, brimming with talent and ingenuity.