Jaunt/Lex Leosis/Sun Sets West
Jaunt
All In One // Independent
Toronto based Jaunt is celebrating connection, creativity and adaptation with the release of their debut LP, All In One. Recorded over three years and engineered in collaboration with Alex Sowinsky (Badbadnotgood), this collection serves as a travelogue for the band’s growth.
Jaunt’s artistic palette, social circle, and resume developed quickly and organically, alongside their time active in the Toronto music scene. The band’s origin story is the genesis for what would become their full-length debut.
All In One evokes wholeness while feeling vast, a perfect balance between pop sensibilities and electric vibes that will take you on a beautiful dreamy musical journey. Thematically, the album is a homage to changes and evolution experienced by Jaunt on both an individual and collective scale throughout the album’s creation. The emotional maturity, musical direction and underlying cohesiveness are clear from beginning to end. Some songs are more recently recorded; others were pocketed for future use. The goal and meaning of All In One was always on the horizon as Jaunt navigated unwaveringly toward it. Equal parts experimental and infectiously raw, faintly electric and distinctly exposed; the cornucopia of styles and sounds presented find themselves glued together by a palpable and unique sense of understanding and friendship.
The collected ten songs on offer are a perfect soundtrack for a mellow day at home, a bike ride through the park or a cup of coffee at your favourite shop. All In One not only deserves repeat plays, they are in fact necessary. The album pulls you in and begs for participation. It grabs the listener at its surface yet it only gets better with time. After the first listen one quickly realizes there is a lot to behold on this release.
Now it’s your turn to take a listen and experience this record on your own. Make sure to get yourself a copy of All In One, follow Jaunt on social media and join their growing fan base.
- Fel Gamarra
Lex Leosis
Mythologies // Independent
Lex Leosis is what little girls should aspire to be. Now, I don’t mean they should aspire to be bad-ass female rappers exactly (though that would be sweet), but they should aspire to be bad-ass females that aren’t afraid to bring it in whatever they do - much like Leosis, and much evident in her latest release, Mythologies.
Mythologies starts on a slow but powerful note on the opening track “Why You”. The beat thumps at a far-away pace, her rhythm strong, and the bite her flow brings does not falter at any point. Even while crooning through the love-sick “Gemini”, Leosis is still the all-mighty of her mythical realm, a deity of unstoppable force.
When “Sé Miso” started, I realized I had heard Lex Leosis before. Not her specifically, but her caliber of talent, sound, and big-league persona in major female hip-hop artists like Cardi B and Rico Nasty. The track as a stand alone piece could be her ticket to fame, and playing in the middle of Mythologies lifts the album to new heights. But if we are talking stand-out tracks, “Ouzo” takes the cake. Opening up with a bit of that old school B.I.G flow, Leosis melts into a velvety chorus reminiscent of candy, like the black licorice lies she sings about. To be clear, black licorice is the devil, but Leosis somehow entices me to give it another try (read, think about giving it another try).
Finally, Mythologies has a sprinkling of strong features throughout that don’t fall short of matching her energy. From fellow Torontonians Benita on “Gemini” and Patrik on “MYB Part 2”, to West Coast Indigenous icons Snotty Nose Rez Kids on “Sé Miso”, Leosis draws in talent that perfectly mirror the sounds and styles in Mythologies, elevating her presence as the Greek Goddess to watch out for (and no, I’m not talking about the salad dressing), while also bringing her peers into the spotlight.
To give you a little more insight on what this album can do for you, see my Pairings list below to help you get the most out of your first listen.
Mythologies Pairings
A Synopsis Perfect to listen to while: Planning your next world domination
Best enjoyed while eating: A rare steak topped with sautéed mushrooms
Pairs well with: Sambuca (once it’s been lit on fire)
Next Step: If you liked this album, check out Leosis’s girl gang rap group, The Sorority; or check out her mythical ability to freestyle, here
- Carly Weiler
Sun Sets West
Rise and Fall with the Waves // EchoWave
Hello from a portal in space.... I come to planet earth in the year of 2020 according to their calendar. I’ve been sent on a quest to find the best new sound waves and my radar honed in on the new Sun Sets West album titled Rise and Fall with the Waves. It’s experimental vibrations and frequencies. It has depth and many dimensions to it. I’m so ecstatic I aligned with this one.
This is a new age of releasing old ways and adapting to new ways. My kind communicates by that of sound waves and synthesizer. It’s reminiscent of the techno electronic of my home planet Jupiter.
The album begins with an Alpha Wave float into zero gravity. Wear head phones for the full experience.
Ephemeral Dreams allows me to coast through this dreamlike state of consciousness. Senses tantalized by dreamy vocals, harmonies, and near by trumpets and guitar. I’d like to stay here.
Soft Touch, I’m in love with the beat and layers of drums. This angel voice holds me close.
August Sun Drifting requires those headphones if you haven’t done that. Trust me. Reminds me of space and playing records backwards and then forwards once again
Slow Burn, I finally emerge from my portal into this existence that is earth. I am filled with a feeling of hope. I begin my release and metamorphosis.
Last Wave of the Day, I want to ride this wave. Earth’s gravity is not the same as home.
Chaos and Dreams. Change and growth can feel intense and painful but it will bring forth a better stronger version of oneself.
Glass Surrender. We have recieved a transmission signal. Earth is healing and transforming. Humankind is being called to heal as well.
Abandoned Stretches of Light engulf me in the healing light and fill me with this healing frequency.
SunSets West is a bundle of heart and soul I’ve collected from Earth and is a must have for every space capsule and spaceship… even for ones personal capsule. Be moved by these vibrations and frequencies anytime you feel the need to decompress.
Well I must leave Earth now and carry on in my mission to find the best sound waves from across the galaxy. Long Live Music. Take a listen!
- The Traveller
