Music

Top 5 Indie/Rock/Pop Releases: October

by Nicole Villeneuve

Each month, tons of new music from many taste-spanning genres is released into a fast-consuming, unforgiving market; it can be tough to get a handle on what’s new before it’s on to the next. In an attempt to highlight the standout releases, at the end of each month, AUX staff re-cap the month in Punk, Metal, Indie/Pop/Rock, Hip Hop, and Pop with the top five releases in each. Consider it your cheat sheet for year-end lists.

Top 5 Indie/Rock/Pop Releases: October

 

M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
	This is a probably genre hijack once again, but M83’s long-awaited new album is an epic and inspiring affair taking cues from all over; new wave, Smashing Pumpkins, prog-rock, and big-ass balladry, all tied together so tightly that there isn’t a wasted second. Did we mention it’s a double album? Bold move, Anthony Gonzalez. This one’s a hightlight of the year so far. (Mute)

Feist – Metals

Feist needed to go away for a while. Not only for her, I don’t think (which she did, too), but for us, too. To remind us how nice it is to have her around. To remind us what she’s given us; not just of her own work but of all the work she’s inspired from countless others since. Reemerging with Metals, with its grounded grit, its Feist-like angel appeal and her obvious grounding regained, was all we could have asked. (Arts&Crafts)

Bruce Peninsula – Open Flames

By now the tale of Open Flames, Bruce Peninsula’s sophomore album, is well known—the day after the completed mix was handed over to the band, frontman Neil Haverty was diagnosed with leukemia. Everything was put on hold so that he could undergo treatment, and, happily he came out of it okay. And while that had no bearing on the album, it’s hard not to listen to their branded stomp-folk, richer and more accessible here than ever, and hear the music and the story take on parts of each other. Another beautiful album from one of Toronto’s best. (Hand Drawn Dracula)

Ben Folds – The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective
	Nostalgia! Plus another chance to appreciate a band again on a whole new level later in life! Oh, AND new Ben Folds Five songs. What’s not to like? (Legacy Recordings)

Sandro Perri – Impossible Spaces
	Toronto mainstay Sandro Perri finds all sects of his musical life coming together on Impossible Spaces, and it proves a productive meeting; he’s created one of his best works yet. Winding jazzy structures around memorable vocal melodies, seasoned with eccentric folk and darker ambience (“Love and Light”). If you’re not already a believer, don’t sleep on this one. (Constellation)