Here are the new musical releases that caught our attention in July.
The Montreal Jazz Festival is over, of course, but our ears want more. Here we discover this piece of the American drummer-percussionist. Nine minutes where changes in tempo and complex interconnections between sonorities – think of the work of the great Kamasi Washington – are heard, developed and enriched. The jazz heritage of Johnathan – son of cellist John Blake Jr. – is very audible, he who favors the construction of a common air between the musicians who work with him within the Pentad group. Vibraphone, piano, alto sax, double bass and, of course, drums are on the menu of the structured piece that leaves improvisation aside. This composition announces the release of a second opus on the Blue Note label, in mid-August.
Look for the boy. Fans of dance evenings in French will remember the poisonous romantico-new-wave hit of Taxi Girl, the French group led by the late Daniel Darc. You’ll be looking for him for a long time, the boy, within Taxi Girls (with an “s”, this time), new Montreal trio straight out of the Rock’n’Roll High School of the Ramones, who recently launched their first EP, Coming Up Roses. Lasting 1 minute 24 seconds, the unbridled Sunshine alone would earn them all the flowers in the world, so much does the fire respond to a formula as irrefutable as it is jubilant: a heady gumball melody, smiling harmonies and a rhythm blitzkrieg. Like what minimalism remains the most effective of maximalisms. Hey ho, let’s go!
A week ago, Montreal rapper Killjei released Endworld, his first album under that name since dropping Jei Bandit’s. The 28-year-old artist, who has been recording since 2015, has experimented a lot over the years and this exploration of styles can be heard on Endworld. Like Kanye West, he recruited several collaborators to realize his creative vision, which he fully orchestrated. The base is trap, but the work is imbued with jazz, alternative, electro and R
Typical summer song offered by the Montreal trio Le Couleur. And with that title… dare we say it’s easy to imagine hurtling down a deserted road with the windows rolled down and the music blaring. A very synthesized pop music, moreover, but where we also perceive the love for the guitar and the percussions. A happy mix of dance, disco and alternative. And this text dictated by the voice of Laurence G-Do recounting the last moments of a certain Barbara at the wheel of her car, before a fatal accident at high speed. Yes, it’s all that at once, Autobahn.
During his show at the Francos, Loud brought several guests on stage. Ya Cetidon was one of them. Few of the thousands of festival-goers knew him, but they were immediately charmed by this Quebecer of Congolese origin now residing in Laval, who interpreted the very rhythmic You know yourself with the Montreal rapper. The “artistic and human crush between the two artists” gave birth to another song: Nothing to do, which is even more catchy. The two tracks are brought together in a music video and mini-EP, Double Feature, produced by A. C., Ajust, Realmind, Ruffsound, Tim Buron and Traxx Like A Ninja.
French singer-songwriter Yseult begins a new chapter with the release of Perdue, a heartbreaking song that announces great things to come. The Revelation of the year of the Victoires de la musique 2021 had been very discreet after having canceled her tour to take better care of herself. But her return has been taking shape for some time and Yseult hits hard with this piece of piano-voice rupture, wrapped in magnificent string arrangements, where she sings her goodbye to someone she loved. If we do not yet know what the French singer has in store for us, we are delighted with her return with this piece which reaffirms all her talent.
Algerian-Canadian singer Jade Above, who describes himself as “eternally unhappy”, recently released his new single, Joue le jeu. also made stronger and confident. The song begins with an introduction by Rita Baga, which sets the stage for a dance piece, entirely written and produced by the singer-songwriter. With this new release, Jade Above ushers in a new era for her engaging pop and R music.
The band Bon Enfant have just released their latest single, Aire de Plastique, just in time for their upcoming major European tour. Winner of the Félix for rock group of the year last year, the formation presents a piece with perfectly summery and festive pop accents. On piano tunes with “fatboyslimesque overtones”, Aire de Plastique is an ode to life that talks about the gift we give ourselves when we allow ourselves to reach a freer state of mind. Tapping of hands and feet set the pace, while leader Daphnée Brissette sings “In my plastic area / A free and magnetic force / It’s a state of mind / Strange and magnificent”. A catchy piece to listen to on repeat.
Taken from the fourth installment of the Directors Cut series by American rapper Ransom and Quebec producer Nicholas Craven, War Dogs is a track that once again demonstrates the excellent chemistry of the duo. We could qualify Ransom as an MC pedagogue as his technique commands attention. His impeccable diction and brilliantly constructed phrases are magnified by a drumless beat from Craven. The powerful vocal sample is more than enough to punctuate the song which benefits from a verse by rapper Che Noir. Accustomed to collaborations with Ransom, she delivers one of the best lines of the song: “Rappers think it’s they time, I’m like a reschedule to ’em”.
