FATHER JOHN MISTY
I Love You, Honeybear (Sub Pop, expected release: Feb. 20)
Back in November, Joshua Tillman announced that his holy alter-ego Father John Misty would be releasing a new album this February, titled the somehow sinister I Love You, Honeybear. A press release stated that there would be hints of solo-era John Leennon, Scott Walker, Randy Newman and Harry Nilsson, as well as a healthy dose of Kurt Vonnegut, Alejandro Jodorowsky and Muhammed Ali. All of this and more, neatly packaged as a concept album where Misty discovers, embraces and ultimately overcomes his “self-loathing narcissism.”
Why should you care: Misty is a torchbearer of the blue-eyed soul skeptics. Part contemporary songwriter, part jaded poet and social critic, he has a brilliantly unique spin on pop music and cultural commentary. Have you seen this man’s instagram? Good lord.
For fans of: Scott Walker, Harry Nilsson, and Tillman’s first band Fleet Foxes.
JESSICA PRATT
On Your Own Love Again (Drag City, expected release: Jan. 27)
California singer-songwriter Jessica Pratt is a folk classicist, making acoustic music that is intimate, earthy and mystical. Her first single “Back, Baby” shimmies and sways with a delicate bossanova swing, bringing out the hollowed echoes of a past love as she sings, “and sometimes I pray for the rain”. Goes down like apple brandy.
Why should you care: You can always trust the taste of Drag City, who know a thing or two about quirky folk (see Joanna Newsom, Bill Callahan, etc) It’s almost too obvious that Pratt’s feathery vintage-stained music should be released on this one-day-legendary imprint.
For fans of: Karen Dalton, Joanna Newsom, Nick Drake.
SISKIYOU
Nervous (Constellation Records, expected release: Jan. 20)
After 2011’s Keep Away The Dead, lead singer and songwriter Colin Heubert developed chronic and severe ear-ringing and panic attacks. Unable to find conventional medicinal treatment, he turned to meditation and silence. He even began writing at lower levels, channeling his experience into textured soundscapes that emote just as much as his thoughtful, whispery vocals.
Why should you care: Nervous features appearances by The Weather Stations’s Tamara Lederman, the instantly recognizable trumpet of JP Carter and mighty saxophonist Colin Stetson. It’s one of their most dynamic records to date, reinstating their title as Vancouver’s Kings of Northern Gothic, where each song hits you like a Chinook wind in the midst of an arctic winter.
For fans of: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey and Colin Stetson.
TWIN RIVER
Should The Light Go Out (Light Organ, expected release: Feb. 17)
The highly anticipated debut LP from Vancouver’s Twin River will finally grace us with its presence on Feb. 17. Produced by Colin Stewart and Ladyhawk’s Darcy Hancock, it features 10 tracks of sheer, joyous sound. Lead vocalist Courtney Ewan Bromley is a force of nature. Her soaring vocals, backed by Rebecca Gray, help sculpt the hurricane of sound provided by Dustin Bromley, Andrew Bishop (White Ash Falls, also on additional vocals) and Malcolm Biddle (Dada Plan).
Why should you care: A true genre-defying band, Twin River tastefully dances in folk, rock, country and garage, all while maintaining a sense of melancholic pop. Imagine The Cure backing Cowboy Junkies and led by The Shangri-Las, then put them on the road with The Sonics for a month and voila: Twin River.
For fans of: Fresh and Onlys, Angel Olsen.
VAPID
Lake of Tears (Nominal/Dranged, release date TBD)
According to the band, this long overdue release (it was recorded almost two years ago) should be out in late spring. Working with producer Hayz Fisher (New Values, Pleasure Cruise), Vapid’s sound remains “loud, bratty, fun and fast” only this time around they’ve embraced the poppier side of punk, without sounding “punk pop”, if you get my drift.
Why should you care: The video for Lake Of Tears’ lead single “1983” was released last year, featuring lead singer Katie Doyle’s raspy, soaring vocal that conjure images of a young Siouxsie Sioux or Blondie singing at a Manhattan dive bar under flickering lights and dry ice. If this is any indication of what’s to come, Lake Of Tears is bound to make old fans happy, and garner newbies as well.
For fans of: The GoGos, Flipper, Red Kross.
VIET CONG
Viet Cong (Flemish Eye, expected release: Jan. 20)
Rising from the ashes of beloved art rockers Women, Viet Cong will be releasing its debut LP this year after much buzz and anticipation on Calgary’s Flemish Eye imprint. Their sound is like Phil Spector on acid producing Interpol in the middle of a glacial tundra. Cold, demented, yet somehow firey and menacing.
Why should you care: In their first single “Continental Shelf”, the band manage to create one of the most epic singles without having any trace of a chorus. Their rapid fire attack of militant thrash and crash is transcendent and terrifying all at the same time. In a press release, bassist and lead singer Matt Flegel describes his record as “shit earth”. I’ll leave that open for interpretation….
For fans of: A Place To Bury Strangers, Women, Chad Van Gaalen.
HOT PANDA
(Release date TBD)
While a release date and name have yet to be announced, one of Vancouver’s hardest working bands have confirmed there will be a new record coming out early this year. Now a trio, Chris Connelly, Catherine Hiltz and new drummer Aaron Klassen worked with producer Devon Lougheed (Hey Ocean!, beekeeper) on their fourth studio album.
Why should you care: Their hook heavy brand of scrappy indie rock is sure to please even the most jaded of critics. Also, they’ve been christened by Our Lady Peace’s Raine Maida, therefore earning ‘90s CanCon approval. Ed The Sock, are you listening?
THE BALLANTYNES
(Release date TBD)
Vancouver’s finest soul/garage/R&B collective have yet to announce much detail regarding their new album, but if social media is any indication, we should expect something later this Spring. Recorded at Little Red Sounds with garage rock mastermind Felix Fung (Chains of Love, Dead Ghosts) we can be sure to hear more hip shaking, organ wailing, earth shattering music from the seven piece.
Why should you care: A recent update from Little Red Sounds Facebook page made mention that they were headed in a “new direction in R&B” and “employed wah-wah pedals and other hip sounds”. Also, a new album means more shows, and if you haven’t seen the mighty Ballantynes live yet, well, brace yourself for a spiritual awakening.
For fans of: Stax, Motown and all things involving tambourine.
