More Music from the Inbox: 22 April 2012

It's Sunday.  Maybe, like where I am, it's a rather gloomy day and you need a pick-me-up.  Yes, there's plenty of hockey on TV today, but what if you're not a fan?  Or maybe you just need a break from sports for a while.  

If that's the case (and you're not too hung over), may I suggest a browse through the latest five songs to make it through this site's double redundent music filters.  Juliette Jagger renders separates the final bits of wheat from the chaff.

Artist: Fraction and Fresh Kils, “This I My Life”

Album: Extra Science 

Extra Science is a collaborative effort from lyrically poignant Canadian emcee Fraction, and established Toronto-based producer/engineer Fresh Kils. One thing that typically turns me off from underground hip-hop is a lack of flow, but this song is seriously tight. Fraction has a natural rhythm about him, while Fresh-Kils brings this bizarre hook to the backbeat and they just vibe of each other really well. 

Sounds like: Undeniable. 

Link/Listen/Watch:

Artist: Hermetic, “Revenge Comedy” 

Album: Civilized City

Hermetic are a two-piece from Vancouver, and I always love to see what two people can pull off. They have a sort of post-punk vibe going on that was really immediate once I hit play. Just straight up raspy guitars and drums where they are supposed to be – nothing fancy, just right. 

Sounds like: Post-punk meets indie. 

Link/Listen/Watch:

Artist: Holobody, “Riverbed”

Album: Riverhood

Holobody is brother and sister duo Felix Green and Sea Oleena. Riverhood is a “gospel, hip-hop, and electronically-propelled folk” album, that delivers tall tales told through hypnotic hymns and truly unexpected sounds, that emerge out of thin air and then collapse back upon themselves. 

Sounds like:  Lilting sounds pressing up against weighty words. 

Link/Listen/Watch:  Stream it here.

Artist: Xavier Rudd, “Paper Thin”

Album: Spirit Bird

Xavier Rudd does an incredible job of crossing cultural lines by bringing the “hypnotic ceremonial rhythms” of Australia’s Aborigines to more traditional folk sounding songs. Spirit Bird is a combination of soaring, rhythmic soundscpes (Lioness Eyes), and “tender, breezy” acoustic songs. Rudd manages to ask the tough questions in the simplest ways, giving his songs a sense of ease and earthiness.  

Sounds like: Humble and full of heart.   

Link/Listen/Watch: Er, not yet.  But trust us.  Really.  You can read about it here.

Artist: Stone Iris, “Hide and Seek”

Album: Illuminations 

This damn song is so infectious its ridiculous. It’s a blend of rock, raggae, and a little bit of soul, and it’s just totally immediate – plus there’s a perfectly placed F-bomb, and sometimes that just seals the deal. 

Seriously, this song kicks ass, and big up for weaving in a Leroy Brown. 

Sounds like: Perfectly illuminated. 

Link/Listen/Watch: