Ontario indie rock act Pacific Estate wasformed in 2013 by a few bright-eyed high school kids looking to jam. Unafraid of pushing the envelope, their willingness to blur the lines of genre while staying true to their hook-driven roots catalyzes a fresh yet familiar take on modern rock. Now, they teamed up with Alexisonfire’s Wade MacNeil and Julius Butty (who’s notably behind AOF records) to produce their new single.
Inspired by the nostalgia of playing a concert, “King of the Bar” was born during the pandemic, reminiscing over the euphoria of putting on a live show. In particular, it pays homage to the legendary Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, one of their favourite venues. “But this horseshoe’s luck just might have set me free from it all…” Pacific Estate explains, “This lyric describes what being in a band is all about, and that is the feeling we get when we are on stage together, putting our day jobs aside for night and getting to live our dream as musicians.”
Eri Blossom’s latest offering, “Breakthrough,” is a captivating fusion of cultural influences, R&B and hip hop sensibilities, and poignant lyricism that culminate in a track of remarkable depth and resonance.
Inspired by the Academy Awards incident involving Will Smith, Eri Blossom navigates the complex waters of cultural expectations and gender roles, specifically within the backdrop of Japanese society. The track’s introductory notes unveil a soundscape that seamlessly melds traditional R&B grooves, contemporary hip-hop elements, and traditional Japanese instrumentation. The result is a sonic tapestry that defies boundaries, reflecting Eri’s duality as an artist shaped by both her Japanese heritage and American upbringing. As the song unfolds, her bilingual delivery further enriches the narrative, allowing listeners to traverse between languages as she eloquently articulates her message.
Eri Blossom’s ability to encapsulate profound emotions in her music is undeniable. “Breakthrough” delves into the struggle against deeply rooted traditions, particularly those that undermine the agency and potential of women. With heartfelt honesty, Eri unveils the stark contrasts between outdated societal norms and the modern aspirations of women, a theme that resonates far beyond cultural confines.
Her background steeped in both Japanese and American culture is a driving force behind the track’s authenticity. Drawing on influences ranging from R&B legends like Chaka Khan to contemporary hip-hop icons, Eri effortlessly weaves together an intricate musical fabric that transcends genres. Her journey from Japan to New York City and subsequent exploration of jazz and other genres add layers of complexity to her artistry, evident in the multifaceted layers of “Breakthrough.”
“Breakthrough” not only marks a personal triumph for Eri Blossom but also stands as a testament to the power of music to transcend cultural barriers. By blending languages, genres, and perspectives, she creates a musical experience that speaks to the universal struggle for empowerment and self-expression. As the world continues to evolve, artists like Eri Blossom play a vital role in reshaping narratives and fostering a global dialogue. Through “Breakthrough,” she not only delivers a mesmerizing track but also ignites a conversation that reaches far beyond the notes and rhythms.
Multi-talented artist Amber Liu is back with a pleasantly familiar sound. Returning to her 2022 EP trilogy, bridged from a series of tracks guaranteed to fit everyone’s taste, Amber’s goal this time around is to satisfy any fans she may have missed. Released as the title track of “Z!”, “EASIER,” featuring international sensation Jackson Wang, takes on a new identity with the help of electronic artist YULTRON with HARDER (feat. Jackson Wang and YULTRON) that isnow available on all streaming platforms.
No stranger to collabs, Amber has worked with Peniel of BTOB, MaSiWei of Higher Brothers, Jackson Wang, and DJ YULTRON for her own single. After releasing the successful EP trilogy series “X”, “y?” and “Z!,” Amber has taken a step back in time to revisit her hit track “EASIER.” The R&B mixed with rock single features Amber’s laid back raps, Jackson’s husky vocals, and harmonies that brilliantly showcase the pair’s excellent musical compatibility. YULTRON’s danceable electronic addition to the tune blows it out of the water and reshapes the already addicting single.
Originally adorning R&B, soul, and rock influences, “EASIER” followed a heartfelt dialogue between Amber and Jackson as they sang about pushing for something meaningful, even if it might not be the easier thing to do. YULTRON, with his background in classical music and guitar, fully understood this initial, earnest plot of the story, and was able to fully transform it into an electronic track while keeping its core message still intact. Now, with the added future bass sound and synth embellishments, “HARDER” dons a new wardrobe as one of the hardest, electronic dance beats to grace this summer.
In 2014, Jackson Wang debuted as a member of JYP entertainment’s K-pop group GOT7 in Korea. In 2017, he founded TEAM WANG then in 2021, he left JYP entertainment coming back to TEAM WANG in China to start releasing his solo music. Most recently, Jackson headlined the League Of Legends 2022 Worlds Championship Opening Ceremony with a performance of his latest single, “Fire to the Fuse,” a Riot Games Music written track that peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Trending Song Chart. Jackson has collaborated with multiple global brands over the years. As a globally acclaimed artist, Jackson’s goal is to showcase a Chinese-influenced sound on the international music stage and highlight Chinese and Asian culture worldwide. In his ascent, Jackson has amassed over 93 million followers across socials.
Los Angeles-based DJ/Producer, YULTRON has established himself as a prominent figure in the music industry. With a dynamic range of collaborations spanning various genres, he has worked alongside esteemed artists such as Marshmello, Ookay, Kayzo, Jay Park, Snoop Dogg, Rezz, Kellin Quinn, DJ Snake, Zeds Dead, Illenium, and even a previous single with Amber Liu. With an unwavering passion for music and an unyielding drive to push boundaries, YULTRON continues to captivate audiences and make a lasting impact on the music industry. His electrifying performances have graced renowned festivals including Lollapalooza, EDC Vegas, Hard Summer, Countdown, and others.
This summer is all about Amber Liu. Starting in May, she released various singles including “ILY,” “No More Sad Songs,” and “Can’t Go Yet.” This year is all about being your authentic self and revealing who you are through your art. In the midst of all the news on Amber, she will be going on tour in the beginning of 2024 for No More Sad Songs visiting 9 cities across Canada, United States and London. For more information on tour dates and tickets, please visit Amber Liu’s social media channels. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, August 26 at 10am local time.
Having done A&R for ten years and been accommodatingly downsized by EMI Music Canada, Graham Stairs came to the belated conclusion that he was ill-suited to work for other people and that it was time to be his own boss for better or worse. Graham Stairs founded Popguru Sound & Vision in 1998, which is now a fully integrated music company involved in artist and producer management, music publishing, sync licensing and its two record labels: The Confidence Emperors and Popguru.
The World According To Popguru: Single-Minded is a collection of early singles released by Popguru Sound & Vision between 1998 and 2005, including songs by Red Autumn Fall, Hush Hush, Stirling, Hennessey, Beautiful 2000, and The Blue Raincoats.
The compilation release includes restored music videos, never-before-released tracks, and new video footage. There will also be a 25th anniversary live celebration in the fall that will include current artists such as Odario, The Wilderness of Manitoba, John Orpheus, Sam Casey, Alex Exists, and more.
“I have experienced a lot of highs and a lot of lows over 25 years, but working with the Popguru creative community has made it all worthwhile and I’m looking forward to hearing the next great new song that gets me excited,” Stairs says.
Hamilton, ON’s Madam Sad is the six year long project of Maddison Schrieber, a name created by combining the names Mads and Adam. They are a disabled, traumatized, and queer person. Making whatever they have access to, while still keeping it small, they focus on Americana and folk styles of music, guided by the vulnerability and sincerity they see in those styles. They hope their music can help other marginalized individuals take solace.
As part of a psychological horror concept album titled Paradise, that is inspired by the cold reality of capitalism, their latest track “Accepted” is about the main character in the album’s narrative finally becoming accepted in the story. The symbolism behind violence being a key for acceptance comes from the idea that extortion in capitalism gets you accepted or admired. It’s a purposefully bare bones recording with back-up vocals by Connor Marquis-young and Saxophone played by Connor Bennett.
Crossed Wires is a fuzzed out, 90s inspired pop-punk band from Halifax, NS. Their songs are filled with driving drums, catchy, melodic, pedal-drenched guitar, and relatable, infectious lyrics that will have you singing along to every word and nodding in agreement. With a sound that bears strong similarities to such 90s indie giants like Jawbreaker and Superchunk, Crossed Wires embrace the sonic diversity that exists out east and are completely at home playing shows sandwiched between shoegaze and metal.
Their song “Looped,” is about getting stuck in an anxiety-fueled thought loop. You replay a scenario over and over in your head, wondering if it’s your fault, wondering what’s real and what’s just your brain playing tricks on you. The song itself mimics that with looping riffs that bleed into one another.
The band had been sitting on 4 out of the 6 songs on this record for nearly 6 years, and it was time to finish an EP so those songs could be out in the world. It finally took shape after a long period of intense writer’s block and self-doubt on frontperson Heather Grant’s part, and a couple freshly written songs. The album’s title Ellipsis speaks to that feeling of leaving things unfinished, but also having more to say but not quite saying it.
Modern Mystery 
You must be logged in to post a comment.