Taylor-Rae's six-song EP showcases her range
TAYLOR- RAE HONEST
Edmonton-born Taylor-Rae's new EP Honest showcases the emerging country musician's talents.
“This EP is putting a bow on this era of music and I couldn't be more excited to share it,” Taylor-Rae said in a news release.
The collection of six songs runs the gamut from ballads (Honest, Are You Still Up,
If This Is Love) to uptempo country-rockers (Hellbent, Love You Back) to jangly folk-pop (I Can't). Taylor-Rae's vocals call to mind the country queens who bridged the gap between adult-orientated rock and traditional country to create the juggernaut of contemporary country music.
Taylor-Rae currently resides in Nashville and is racking up numbers on streaming services, so we'll likely be hearing more from her in the future.
CELEIGH CARDINAL JUST LET ME LIE TO YOU
Métis singer-songwriter Celeigh Cardinal continues to build up her brand as a spunky soul singer. The Juno-awardwinning artist has recently dropped the new single Just Let Me Lie to You as a precursor to her upcoming album. The song is a smouldering tale of lying to avoid hurting someone's feelings. As always, Cardinal's vocals are infused with passion while backed by tight R&B guitars, drums and bass.
On April 26 and 27 Cardinal will perform at the Winspear Centre along with the ESO. Expect to hear her sing her own material and a smattering of pop classics. Purchase tickets at winspear.com.
JANE PENNY SURFACING
Jane Penny hails from Edmonton but has found fame as a co-founder of Montreal's indierock darlings TOPS. Penny has now branched out on her own with her debut solo EP Surfacing. Whereas TOPS' music is largely rock with poppy flourishes, Penny leans into the synths and atmospheres on this fresh batch of songs.
Written, produced and recorded by Penny, Surfacing was crafted while she was acting as a caretaker for her bedridden partner at the time. Built on synths, samples, drum machines and flute, Surfacing takes Penny's coy vocal stylings and applies it to ethereal and atmospheric tracks. Songs such as Messages and Wear You Out are catchy and uptempo, allowing Penny's singing to float and twirl between lilting bass lines and plinking keyboards. Other songs such as Accelerate Slowly are an existential crisis set to an ambient soundscape.
Stream Surfacing on your favourite platform.
BEPPIE RESET
Local children's musician and educator Beppie (Stephanie Nhan) is gearing up to release her sixth album, Reset. The album expands Beppie's repertoire for music for the little ones that goes above and beyond the repetitive garbage the younger set gravitates toward on YouTube.
“Reset is a vibrant mosaic of musical adventure. From an adorable lullaby for robots to a spirited punk rock anthem celebrating plants, and even a lively hip hop ode to the joy of getting a dog, it's a kaleidoscope of genres and themes,” Beppie said in a news release.
“Throughout the album there's a unifying thread of well-being and mindfulness, addressing themes ranging from anxiety and mental health to environmental consciousness, the importance of sleep, and the vitality of movement.”
Reset is out now.