ALSO ON THE PLAYLIST
WALKING THROUGH A FANTASY
Fake Shark | Light Organ Records The latest seven-song EP from this long-running B.C. trio keeps mining the razor-sharp dance/pop beats that it began exploring on Faux Real. From the Gorillaz-esque single Wake Up (ft. Fionn) to the synth-laden Madchester feel of Little Lies, this is all about keeping the energy up and the wah-wah guitar licks lashing. The opening tune Fantastic Hallucination boasts the best of early ’90s robotic vocals and sinuous bass runs. These guys can certainly play. Should make for a totally killer live show.
GOING LATE
Humans | Haven Sounds
This Vancouver electronic duo hits the dance floor hard on this new release, which announces its clubby intents on an addictive bass line and handclaps in the opener Breakfast With Liz and doesn’t let up. Minimalist and funky, songs such as Run (ft. So Loki) and Going Late all feature the breathy, haunted vocals that give the whole platter a sort of otherworldly, atmospheric pulse. The album lives up to its title as you can clearly experience that “late night into the next day” vibe from these slinky grooves.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC Laibach | Mute
Slovenian underground agitpop arts and music collective Laibach has already worked its distinctive magic on The Beatles’ Let It Be, so why not The Sound of Music? Of course, taking its inspiration for doing this interpretation from an invitation to perform in North Korea, where the 1965 film adaptation is a big hit, the band reworked the songs to suit its needs. Maria becomes Maria/Korea (How do you solve a problem like Maria/ Korea?) and the traditional Korean folksong Arirang finds its way into the mix, too. The project was turned into a movie — Liberation Day — directed by Morten Traavik.
STARLIGHT Nêhiyawak | Arts & Crafts
This trio from Amiskwaciy in Treaty 6 is almost certain to become the next big thing in the exploding First Nations music scene in Canada. Vocalist Kris Harper veers from soft-spoken and quavering to ear-splitting falsetto. He sings over drummer Marek Tyler’s propulsive, jazzy and wooden drumming (wooden in the best possible way, since Tyler actually plays a log in the spectacular Copper) and Matthew Cardinal’s textural bass and synthesizers, making for some rock that can truly be considered alternative. The songs address issues ranging from decolonization to violence against communities and more.