Leanne Betasamosake Simpson — Live Like the Sky
(You’ve Changed Records)
For her 2021 Polaris Prize-shortlisted album Theory Of Ice, musician, writer and scholar Leanne Betasamosake Simpson transformed her poems into folk-rock songs. On her follow-up album Live Like the Sky, Simpson flipped this approach and let the sounds of new wave, punk, and shoegaze guide her lyrics. And while these songs are heavy — they touch on genocide, the climate emergency, and the fresh hell that confronts us each day — there’s an unshakable sense of hope infused into the ’80s-inspired instrumentals. Coupled with Simpson’s sing-speak vocals, the bright tempo of tracks like “Murder of Crows” and “85 Dollars An Acre” serve as reminders to take a breath and look up, because there’s still beauty to behold. — Laura Stanley
$9 download via Bandcamp / $14 CD, $24 LP via You’ve Changed Records.
Dambe — Dambe
(Endnote Records)
Brampton’s Dambe (pronounced “dom-bay”) break out in style with their debut self-titled EP. Over the four songs of the release, the band showcases a pummelling sound that lives up to its namesake, a traditional form of boxing from northern Nigeria. Blistering metallic guitars and sludgy bass cascade over an onslaught of pounding drums while singer Kalia Joseph shrieks, growls, and croons introspective lyrics of alienation and rage. A highlight of the EP is the second track “Dylan,” which sees the band incorporate a dembow beat. —Daniel G. Wilson
PWYC download via Bandcamp / $8 cassette tape via Endnote Records
Kazdoura — Ghoyoum غيوم
(Self-released)
In their debut full-length album, Toronto’s Kazdoura elegantly pairs elements from trip-hop, sophisti-pop and acid jazz with Levantine sounds. Listen for hints of genres like Al Jeel (an Egyptian style of pop/rock) and vocals that evoke beloved Lebanese singers like Fairuz. Lyrically, the album follows in the traditions of Arabic poetry, painting observant portraits of life, love, political critique, and existential pondering. — Daniel G. Wilson
$7 download via Bandcamp / $34.99 vinyl at Sonic Boom
Shad — Start Anew
(Secret City Records)
Seven albums and 20 years into his career, stalwart Canadian rapper Shad continues to try to make sense of the turbulent world we live in through his characteristically thoughtful lens. The final chapter in what he came to realize was a trilogy of albums (following 2018’s novelistic A Short Story About a War and 2021’s philosophical TAO), Start Anew offers plenty of the rapper’s slyly sharp wordplay over beats that offer a fresh take on retro influences. From addressing wealth inequality through metaphor on the track “Slanted,” to throwing down a breezy summertime jam on “Islands,” Shad keeps doing what he does best: using hip-hop as a medium to examine the human condition. — Tabassum Siddiqui
$10 download, $30 vinyl via Secret City Records
Juliana Riolino — Echo in the Dust
(Moonwhistle Records)
Describing an artist’s sound as “timeless” can often be a bit of a stretch, but it’s the adjective that comes to mind when listening to Juliana Riolino’s sophomore album. Echo in the Dust sees the Ontario singer-songwriter — who cut her teeth in likeminded musician Daniel Romano’s band — ponder a season of growth and change, all set to her throaty harmonies and impressionistic lyrics. “Seed” starts off as a sweeping debutante-ball waltz before transforming into a hillbilly rocker, while “On a Bluebird’s Wing” rides a glorious slide guitar melody and shimmering tambourine. A tight collection of gorgeous songs that demand repeat listening, it’s one of the year’s best local releases. — Tabassum Siddiqui
$12 download, $32 vinyl via Bandcamp
This article appeared in the 2025 Dec – 2026 Jan issue.
