Most Anticipated Of 2021
One of our most loved articles of each year is finally here!!! Our most anticipated releases of 2021!!! We try to do things a little different than other publications by finding acts/artists that haven’t formally announced their upcoming efforts. Alongside them, we pepper in some of the stuff that HAS been announced to create a truly great list of music that will keep you waiting in anticipation all year long.
Aladean Kheroufi
Edmonton’s Aladean Kheroufi broke out across the country in 2020 with a string of R&B/Soul releases that showcased his undeniable talent as a songwriter and producer. Yes that’s right, Kheroufi records all his own work but also the work of so many others around his hometown (learn more about his many projects in this interview he did with Sean Newton). He’s been no secret in Edmonton for the past few years but has remained relatively unknown due to the many other projects he has on the go that have taken time away from his own music. Well… we are ecstatic to report that Kheroufi will finally be releasing his highly anticipated debut album in 2021.
What We Know:
Kheroufi is aiming for a late spring/early summer release. The album took upwards of three years to record due to his busy schedule. It was recorded all across the world; from a cabin in Munich, to studios in NYC, to a pals living room in Victoria with most the final touches being done at his studio in Edmonton. Whet your appetite with his 2020 EP, Beauty Beyond Grief, which we ranked at #3 on our list of the “Best EPs Of 2020.”
Art d’ Ecco
Art d’Ecco blew us away in 2018 with their debut album trespasser. The record’s refreshing take on glam-rock struck a cord across North America and here at the CnC headquarters. We placed it in the number seven position on our countdown of the Best Albums Of 2018.
What We Know:
We know nothing BUT we are speculating through the power of deduction that we will see Art d’Ecco’s sophomore album in 2021. Why do we suspect such a thing?… We know that this album was supposed to be out last year, it was actually on our list of the “Most Anticipated of 2020.” We spoke with Art d’Ecco for that article and an album for 2020 was confirmed at that time. We speculate the pandemic halted the release of said album near the time when it would have been announced. What makes us think that? Again… only speculation but a single called “I'll Never Give You Up” was released on January 16th, 2020. Perhaps it was always going to be a one-off track or perhaps it was the beginning of the lead-up to an album announcement. Either way, the single is great and we are crossing our fingers that our Sherlock Holmes skills prove to be on-point.
Update from Editor: Just before this article was published, a mysterious video emerged on Art d’Ecco’s social media pages with the date: 01.20.21.
The Besnard Lakes
It has been six years since The Besnard Lakes gave us their last full length album, A Coliseum Complex Museum. We are beyond excited for their forthcoming record which will be called The Besnard Lakes Are The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings.
What We Know:
We know it all! The album is out in two weeks time and it’s good… DAMN GOOD! It will most definitely be named a Cups N Cakes “Pick Of The Week” and our founder, Jeff MacCallum believes it’s their best work since The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night.
For this album, the band have moved away from Jagjaguwar and will be releasing it through Flemish Eye in Canada and Fat Cat in the US. The press release states:
The Besnard Lakes Are The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings is a double LP. “Near Death” is the title of the first side. “Death,” “After Death,” and “Life” follow next. It's a journey into (and back from) the brink: the story of The Besnard Lakes' own odyssey but also a remembrance of others', especially the death of Jace Lasek's father in 2019. Being on your deathbed is perhaps the most psychedelic trip you can go on: in Lasek's father's case, he surfaced from a morphine dream to talk about a “window’ on his blanket, with a “carpenter inside, making intricate objects.” That experience pervades the album.
Three singles have been released so far. Pre orders for digital, CD, Double LP, and new shirt design can be found here.
Bernice
Nearly three years have passed since Bernice wormed their way into our hearts with their sophomore album, Puff LP: In the air without a shape. That album catapulted Bernice out of their hometown and drew massive critical acclaim which even landed them on the long list for the Polaris Prize. We are very excited to hear their long-awaited follow-up.
What We Know:
The album is called Eau De Bonjourno and it will be released digitally and in vinyl form on March 5th. It was produced by Shahzad Ismaily, the acclaimed multi-instrumentalist who has worked with artists as varied as Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed, Elvis Costello, Iggy Pop, John Zorn, and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy. For this record, Bernice parted ways with Arts & Crafts and joined the roster at Telephone Explosion. They’ve released one advance single that you can hear below.
Blessed
One of our favourite bands in Canada will be returning in early 2021 with their third EP, aptly titled: iii.
We have been huge fans of Blessed for years, having named their 2017 release - II - our Favourite EP of 2017, and ranking their debut album - Salt - number nine on our list of the Best Albums Of 2019.
What We Know:
The new EP will be out on February 15th through Flemish Eye. It is available digitally, on CD, and on vinyl. The first single “Structure” was released near the end of 2020 with an accompanying video. Check out that video below then pre-order iii here.
The Bobby Tenderloin Universe
Bobby Tenderloin’s breakthrough debut was instantly loved by the CnC team. It was on our “Best Albums Of 2019” with team member JD Ormond saying:
“The debut release from The Bobby Tenderloin Universe is the feverish fantasy of a concussed cowhand as he is nursed back to his senses after stepping on a rake.”
We were expecting his follow-up to be released in 2020 and even featured it on this same list for that year. We believe the pandemic played a big part in the sophomore albums delay but we now have confirmation from Mr Tenderloin himself that it will be released in 2021.
What We Know:
The album is called Satan is a Woman and if everything works out, it will be released in the fall. Tenderloin was willing to offer Cups N Cakes some insight:
“The heaviness and seriousness of all the things happening in the world are definitely reflected more in this album than the debut. I hope that women feel empowered listening to it. There’s a song on there about my grandmother who basically taught me everything I know and was most definitely my hero.”
Cartel Madras
The hip-hop duo consisting of sisters Priya "Contra" Ramesh and Bhagya "Eboshi" Ramesh laid low in 2020 but still managed to released a single called “Working” that made our list of the Best Tracks Of 2020. We have confirmation that 2021 will see the release of the third, and final, EP in their ‘Project Goonda’ series.
What We Know:
The EP will drop via Sub Pop but no timeline has been announced. The first single, called “Drift,” was released yesterday. Check out its video below.
Counterfeit Jeans
Counterfeit Jeans play noisy, grunge music with hints of post-punk. It has been nearly two years since Kingfisher Bluez released their incredible sophomore album, Good Morning, and now word is starting to emerge about their next full-length.
What We Know:
The album is called Junior Capitalists and will arrive in the first half of 2021. Its ten songs were produced by Cody Blakely at Half Stack Studios. The band is very excited to get it into the world, siting:
“It contains the best music we’ve created in our more than 6 years as a band.”
No songs are available yet but in July of 2020, we covered a new Counterfeit Jeans single called “Séance” as a Quick Pick. The song has been removed from all streaming services leaving us to believe it may be one of the ten found on Junior Capitalists. Here’s what Jeshaiah said about the song at that time:
“An entanglement of guitars weaving in and out of the spirit realm provide the backdrop for Counterfeit Jeans isolation single, “Séance”. The track, with all its catchy hooks, invites the audience to join in on a conversation with the dead.”
Daniel Romano
The pandemic hit in 2020 and Daniel Romano decided to go off creatively. He single handedly kept some of us sane in 2020 and has releases on all of our Best Of 2020 lists.
What We Know:
We have zero insider knowledge on anything Romano is planning for 2021. But with his ability to pump out incredible albums on a monthly basis, we have to expect more new music from the man… the myth… the purveyor of Canada’s finest ear candy.
Dead Fibres
Edmonton’s Dead Fibres are beloved in their home province. Their energetic live shows are ear crushing displays of musical prowess. Pumping out a grungy brand of punk, they have been sitting on their follow-up to 2017s Stash Box for awhile now… might we hear it in 2021?
What We Know:
It’s been done for over a year, seems like the pandemic may have played a part in its delay but also Kennedy Pawluk’s recent move to Vancouver was no doubt a setback. The album was recorded by Chris Dadge in Calgary and will be released by Transistor 66 Records. We were lucky enough to hear it already and can easily say it is their best work to date.
Dominique Fils-Aimé
Two years after the release of Dominique Fils-Aimé’s spellbinding sophomore album, Stay Tuned!, the Montreal singer-songwriter is set to return. Stay Tuned! launched Fils-Aimé into a different stratosphere for Canadian music. We ranked it at #3 on our list of the Best Albums Of 2019, the record was shortlisted for the Polaris Prize and even won a JUNO. Needless to say, we are excited to hear her new release.
What We Know:
The record is called Three Little Words and it will arrive on February 12th via Ensoul Records. It concludes a trilogy of albums that explored the roots of African-American musical culture. It will be available digitally, on CD, and on vinyl and can be pre-ordered here. A video for the first single has been released.
The Eclipse
Edmonton dream-pop outfit, The Eclipse gave us an incredible debut EP called I Want Less in 2018 that was listed at #4 on our list of the Best EPs from that year. In 2020 they released three singles which had us reaching out to find out if they were preparing a release in 2021. We are excited to report that the answer was yes.
What We Know:
The band is aiming for a fall release and said the album is comprised of nearly all new material that has never been heard. They finished writing the song just before the pandemic took hold in Canada and have been self recording (mostly remotely) the tracks in various rooms across Edmonton. The band also confirmed that the December released single, “Rough Time” will be on the final track listing. Check it out below.
Faith Healer
It’s been nearly four years since we last heard from Edmonton’s Faith Healer. Try ;-) was an incredible release that landed on our “Best Albums Of 2017” list and this year, we believe we will finally get Jessica Jalbert and Renny Wilson’s follow up.
What We Know:
We actually don’t know if an album will emerge in 2021 but Faith Healer was on this list last year. At that time, (one year ago), we did get confirmation from Jalbert that an album would be released in 2020. We believe that release was only halted due to pandemic and suspect we might see it in 2021. None of this has been confirmed by the band this year so we are simply crossing our fingers. At this time last year, Faith Healer released a new single but when CnC spoke with Jalbert a year ago, she could not confirm that it would be on the album.
Fitness
Edmonton’s Fitness are set to return in 2020 with a new album. Since their formation, Fitness have quickly become one of Edmonton’s most lauded bands. Frontman Keanan Swan-Azmon (l.n. baba) is one of the most awe-inspiring singers to grace the stage in recent years. Their debut album -ing (pronounced dashing) made our list of the “Best Albums Of 2018.”
What We Know:
The album is called Full Well. and the band is currently aiming to release it sometime in the first half of 2021. It was recorded live off the floor in Lethbridge with Cory Fisher over the course of one weekend and it thematically deals with questions of knowledge and knowing.
Get pumped by revisiting -ing below:
Freelove Fenner
It has been over seven years since Montreal’s Freelove Fenner unleashed their monumental release, Do Not Affect A Breezy Manner. Considered by some to be one of the most under-rated albums of the last decade, we were very excited to learn that Freelove Fenner will return with a new full-length in 2021.
What We Know:
The album is called The Punishment Zone and will arrive on February 2nd through Arizona imprint, Moone Records. The album is 14 tracks in length and will be available digitally and on vinyl, pre-order here. Two singles have been released so far, check them out below.
The Garrys
The band self described as “dreamy blood harmony surf rock doom-wop on morphine” gave us an incredible release in 2020 in the form of a live score to the silent film, Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages. The album drew massive praise from the CnC team and was named to our “Best Albums Of 2020.”
However, that album was only an appetizer… in 2021, we get the main course.
What We Know:
The Garrys new album is expected to arrive in the spring via Grey Records. The album will be called Get Thee To A Nunnery and it was produced by Dallas Good of The Sadies. According to Lenore Maier, drummer for The Garrys:
“Dallas really helped us develop and strengthen the songs and the album is better because of him. He was just as invested as we were.”
No singles have been released yet but our astute team at CnCs have noticed an unreleased song from The Garrys called “Devil’s Dip” will be on the Grey Records compilation cassette, Grey Matter 2, which is set for release on February 2nd. Could this be our first glimpse at the new album? Time will tell.
Haviah Mighty
Haviah Mighty had been making waves in Toronto for years before she exploded across North America with her 2019, Polaris Prize winning album called 13th Floor. We’ve been eagerly waiting for the follow-up… is 2021 the year we get it?
What We Know:
Truth is… we don’t know. But we suspect we might get an album if touring becomes a possibility. Two singles were released at the end of 2020 with similar art motifs. From what we’ve seen in the past, this sort of single roll-out typically ends with an album announcement… fingers crossed.
Note from Editor - On the exact same day we published this article, Haviah Mighty released a third single… again, same art motif.
Kiwi Jr.
Toronto’s Kiwi Jr. charged onto the scene in 2019 with their incredible album Football Money. They are probably sick of the comparison but the album instantly brought to mind Pavement at their catchiest except with a more professional and polished sound. We are very excited to hear that the follow-up will arrive this year.
What We Know:
Football Money was released on Vancouver imprint Mint Records and apparently it was loud enough to get noticed a few hours South of the border in Seattle, Washington because this new album is getting released through Sub Pop Records.
The record is called Cooler Returns and is set to arrive in all formats on January 22nd. Two singles have been released already, check them out below and pre-order the album here.
Lab Coast
Lab Coast was on this list last year. We wrote:
“The album is called ‘Here You're Nowhere’ and it was produced by Lab Coast’s own Chris Dadge with some help from Chad VanGaalen. It features appearances from VanGaalen on synths and vocals, as well as Scott Munro from Preoccupations, Nate Waters, Darrel Hartsook, and Samantha Savage Smith. In a statement from Chris Dadge we learnt that the album is a ‘big step up in the production department, but still draws from the same pool of inspirations like Teenage Fanclub, Stone Roses, Oasis, and Tom Petty’. Dadge also added that half the songs have never been heard outside the band so expect some fresh new tunes.“
What We Know:
We assume/hope last years assessment is still accurate, the words at that time came directly from Chris Dadge. Unfortunately Dadge was unable to offer any new insight in terms of a release date. Fingers crossed for 2021 but there is no guarantee. Bad news we know, but we did catch wind of a covers EP the band plans to release this year to tide us over. It will be called Cover To Cover.
Lana Winterhalt
What do you do when Donovan Woods and Shad both tell you "this song is perfect, it literally couldn't get any better. I have no feedback for you"…
You release that song!!!
Thankfully Winnipeg’s Lana Winterhalt will do just that in 2021… plus a whole lot more.
What We Know:
Winterhalt is actually putting out three separate releases in 2021, all with very different sounds. First, in January a collaborative, six track EP with new electronic/alternative artist MoonBell will arrive, complete with a small book of poetry where Canadian poets have each picked a track then written a poem inspired by that song. Look for the first single from this project to be premiered at the Cups N Cakes Network on Monday January 18th.
Then in June, Winterhalt will release a self-produced, 3-track, unabashed-trash-pop summer EP. Winterhalt says this EP is: “Just total pop bangers to gear us up for the summer.”
Then in October, Winterhalt will release another full-length studio album. This is the release that features the aforementioned track critiqued by Shad and Donovan Woods. That critique happened during the Canadian Songwriter Challenge where a few of the songs from the album were written. The album will be powerful, anthemic, fun, full of energy, and memorable.
Check out Winterhalt’s 2020 EP, Hold on to Me, below.
Mahogany Frog
Mahogany Frog are the band your cool older sibling was listening to while you were in grade school. They have been monsters in the Winnipeg music scene for nearly two decades. They have a WCMA award and a JUNO nod under their belt, and have opened for high profile acts such as The Flaming Lips, Deerhoof, BADBADNOTGOOD, and Mono. Still never heard of them? That may be because their last release, SENNA, came out in 2012! Fortunately for music fans in Canada, 2021 we see the release of their insanely anticipated new album.
What We Know:
Mahogany Frog are actually releasing two albums in 2021. First their long-awaited studio follow-up to SENNA is called Mahogany Frog In The Electric Universe. The album will be released on March 17th via MoonJune Records. It will be available digitally and on vinyl which can be pre-ordered here. The band is working on putting together a “tripped out” live stream to coincide with the release.
The second album should arrive in autumn. It will be a double LP of their score to F.W. Murnau's 1926 silent classic Faust. In 2017, Mahogany Frog toured cinema’s across Canada and performed a live score to Faust while it played onscreen. This second release will also be accompanied by a barrage of videos and streams.
For know, check out the video for the first single from Mahogany Frog In The Electric Universe called “CUbe”.
Megan Nash
Saskatchewan’s Megan Nash is one of Canada’s most impeccable singer/songwriters. We haven’t been blessed with a full length worth of material since the JUNO nominated Seeker was released in 2017. Could this be the year she finally gives us that incredible albums follow-up?
What We Know:
We have no official word on an album in 2021 but we know she is working on it. A single was released in November of last year and one can only suspect that it may end up being a part of a larger release further down the line… how far? That remains to be seen. Look for an in-depth, CnC interview that Greg Torwalt did with Megan Nash to be released in the coming weeks. Perhaps their chat will answer some of our burning questions.
Michael Feuerstack
The man who played for close to two decades under the moniker Snailhouse will return this year with his fifth release under his given name. His last release, Natural Weather, came to us way back in May of 2018 and we are very excited to hear more from one of Canada’s most respected singer/songwriters.
What We Know:
The album is called Harmonize The Moon and will arrive on March 5th though Forward Music Group. The album was arranged and recorded by Feuerstack at his Montreal apartment during the pandemic, although the songs were written over the past couple years. It will be available digitally or on a limited run of vinyl (150 on black and 150 on translucent orange) and can be pre-ordered here. Check out the first single, “I Used to Be a Singer,” below.
Motherhood
Cups N Cakes have been swooning over this Fredricton band for years. Their last release, Dear Bongo, was ranked as our Favourite Album of 2019 and even ended up on our list of the Best Albums of the 2010s. In 2021, the band hopes to give us their next full length.
What We Know:
Motherhood was expecting to be done recording but lockdown forced them out of the studio in the middle of the process, they are now hoping for a fall release. The album is being recorded at Memramcook Recording Company which is an all analog studio in the middle of nowhere, New Brunswick. Expect the first single, complete with video, in March-April.
Samantha Savage Smith
Calgary songstress Samantha Savage Smith is a force in Alberta and is highly regarded across the country. Her most recent release, Fine Lines, is now over six years old so we are ecstatic to hear that she will finally be giving us a new release to fall in love with.
What We Know:
The album is called Fake Nice and the release date is still to be determined. It was co-produced by Samantha Savage Smith and Chris Dadge at Child Stone Studios and mixed by Graham Lessard. The record features Chris Dadge, Scott Munro, Nate Waters, Ryan Bourne, Ian Jarvis (of Chairs and Reuben & The Dark), and Marlaena Moore. We are told it's poppy with lots of bright guitars, synths, and horns but it also features more psych and extended jam moments. Apparently there's even a trippy ESG inspired instrumental. The last tidbit we have is that Samantha Savage Smith plays more instruments including bass, keys, dulcimer, and even drums on one track.
Small Sins
After a decade, Small Sins have returned. The electro-pop project of Thomas D'Arcy will be releasing a new album in 2021. D’Arcy has spent the last ten years putting out music under his given name as well as producing/engineering music for July Talk, The Sheepdogs, Rich Aucoin, and Hannah Georgas (to name a few).
What We Know:
The album is called Volume II and will arrive in February via Arts & Crafts. The first single, called “Andre,” was released last week. Check it out below and pre-order vinyl, CD, or digital download here.
Surf Dads
It’s been a few years since we’ve heard new music from Regina’s Surf Dads. Originally a duo comprised of Gage McGuire on guitar/vocals and Chris Dimas on drums, they now have expanded to a four piece. Their last release was the incredible 2018 EP, Long Weekend, which came in at number seven on our list of the Best EPs of that year. The lengthy time between releases is due to their vigorous schedules in other bands, running Grind Central Records, and Dimas recording nearly every band that forms in Regina.
What We Know:
The band is finishing recording their next full-length at the moment. They can’t offer any insight to its release date but are optimistic it will be in 2021. However they did confirm an EP will definitely arrive this year through Grind Central Records.
Too Soon Monsoon
We thought that Too Soon Monsoon was laying low in 2020 because their frontman, Greg Torwalt, was releasing his first solo works. Turns out we were wrong. Before the year ended, the band finished recording their next album!
What We Know:
The forthcoming album is recorded, just awaiting mixing and mastering. They are planning for a 2021 release. It was recorded live off the floor in an abandoned church studio called The Sound Castle over the course of three days. The album came together unexpectedly out of a creative burst of inspiration. When asked about the session that birthed this effort, Torwalt explained:
“We wanted to get back to our original garage band roots when Nate and I first started playing together in fall 2016. It’s basically a live album with very minimal overdubs. We took advantage of a 100+ year old pump organ from the original church, acoustic piano, Nate experimented with a bunch of different snares. We kept in mind influences of early White Stripes, Purple Rain Prince and Sgt Pepper Beatles for this record. We are all super proud of this work.”
The band plans to release it in summer 2021 with a single or two in the first half of the year. First single will be a song written during the pandemic called “Be Easy.” Stay tuned for more.
Tunic
Winnipeg’s best known purveyors of noise will return with a new album this year. Their last record, Complexion, made our list of the “Best Albums Of 2019” and we are very excited to hear what they’ve cooked up this time around.
What We Know:
On April 9th, Artoffact Records will release Tunic’s new album called Exhaling. It is available digitally, on CD, and on limited yellow vinyl. The albums title track is the first single from the album, check it out below. Also, if you join Tunic’s mailing list, you will get Tunnel Vision Eyes, a double EP of nine unheard tracks that is exclusive to the lists subscribers.
Ultra Mega
The allure and mystique surrounding this band is off the charts. Forming in 2003, they were most active from 2010 - 2014. During that time, they released their first two EPs before fading out of our collective conscience until their Debut Album finally emerged in 2017. Now, four years later we finally get to hear more from this incredible Winnipeg band.
What We Know:
The EP is called Money Shot and will be released through Transistor 66. Cups N Cakes premiered the first single and its holiday themed music video just before Christmas. The exact release date is up in the air but expect to see it before winter is over.
The Weather Station
Tamara Lindeman has been crafting elegant songs as The Weather Station for over a decade. Her music has been folk leaning with her incredible lyrics taking centre stage. It’s been over three years since her last album was released and we are excited to hear that a new album is just around the corner.
What We Know:
The album is called Ignorance and it veers Lindeman more into pop territory with the advance singles garnering extremely high praise from all music publications. It arrives on February 5th via Next Door Records and will be available digitally, on CD, and limited ruby red vinyl. Check out the music videos for the first three singles below and pre-order here.
Whitney K
Whitehorse resident Whitney K has been developing a cult following as he’s drifted from Vancouver to Los Angeles to Montreal and back to his hometown in the Yukon. Last year he released two live tracks with some country flair which tided us over until a proper full length was set to emerge in 2021, marking his first since 2017’s When The Party’s Over.
What We Know:
The new album is called Two Years and it will arrive on February 7th via European imprint, Maple Death Records. It will be available on CD, digitally, and on limited orange vinyl (100 copies), then on black vinyl. The first single is called “Maryland.” Listen below then hit the pre-order button in the player.
Yves Jarvis
In 2020, Yves Jarvis continued his reign as one of Canada’s best singer/songwriters with the release of Sundry Rock Song Stock. The album was loved at Cups N Cakes, coming in at number nine on our list of the “Best Albums Of 2020.” Those who’ve been following Yves Jarvis from the start (when he went by Un Blonde) know he creates at a very quick pace so an album in 2021 isn’t too surprising.
What We Know:
We pulled this tidbit from Episode #581 of Kreative Kontrol with Vish Khanna where Yves Jarvis reported: “I’m working at a pace that I haven’t in years” and mentioned his desire to release a new solo record in 2021. He also let us in on a project he’s been working on with Romy Lightman of Tasseomancy that is ready for release anytime. The project is called The Lightman Jarvis Ecstatic Band and he reported their album will be 15 tracks long. He went on to describe the sound as: “Huge, massive” before going further by saying “this music is Earth shattering.” In the interview with Vish Khanna he claimed he wanted it out before 2021 but it has yet to materialize. There was mention of shopping it to labels so expect a delay in its release if a label did get involved.