Blue Youth, Propagandhi, G.I. Jinx, and Fauxcils
Blue Youth - Defeatist
Blue Youth’s latest release, Defeatist, is absolutely ferocious. Hailing from the prairies of Saskatchewan, the band delivers a relentless follow-up to their 2018 debut, Dead Forever. From the tenacious, rugged vocals to the unexpectedly catchy lyrics and blistering, energy-driven sound, Defeatist knocked me flat. Blue Youth blends industrial-rooted noise rock with elements of hardcore punk, screamo, and heavy psychedelia, creating a sound that’s both chaotic and groove-oriented. It’s intense, captivating, and refuses to let go. What’s most impressive is how they manage to sound so raw yet so tight, channeling a sonic fury that’s completely their own. After one listen, I knew I had to see them live. I don’t have any immediate plans to head out to Saskatchewan—but now I’ve got a damn good reason to go and appreciate those foothills and flatlands.
Propagandhi - At Peace
Manitoba’s Propagandhi hardly needs an introduction. For over three decades, they’ve been a staple of Canada’s punk and metal scenes, releasing eight studio albums and amassing a devoted fanbase across the country (myself included). Over the years, the band has evolved from scrappy skate punk roots into something much more intricate: a fusion of sharp thrash metal, progressive rock flourishes, and that unmistakable, defiant Manitoban punk energy. Their latest release, At Peace, continues this trajectory, delivering blistering technical riffs, politically charged lyricism, and a tightness that only comes from decades of uncompromising musicianship.
G.I. Jinx - Mind Freak
Montreal’s newest acid-psych noise rock export, G.I. Jinx, delivers a debut that feels like a transmission from another dimension. Drenched in distortion and feedback, Mind Freak unfolds as a hypnotic, apocalyptic soundscape—equally chaotic and precise. Vocals echo like eerie ceremonial chants, cryptic and spellbinding, weaving through the dense fog of fuzzed-out guitars and ritualistic rhythms. Every track feels like a descent into some beautiful, burning unknown. It's not just experimental—it’s fully immersive. The band’s cohesion is undeniable, conjuring a sound so tactile and engulfing that it borders on the spiritual. A bold, genre-defying debut that doesn’t just announce their arrival but rather tears a hole in the fabric of reality to make room for them.
Fauxcils - Tears of Paint
Ontario’s Fauxcils step out of the shadows with Tears of Paint, a debut that fuses darkwave melancholy with a sleek electronic pulse. Captivating with a sound reminiscent of the brooding elegance of The Cure and the synth-laced shimmer of New Order, Fauxcils deliver a sound both nostalgic and forward-leaning. The album builds on the promise of their earlier singles, layering moody vocals over cold, hypnotic beats and glimmering synth lines. Tears of Paint feels like yearning for a place that doesn’t exist. A compelling first statement from a band poised to haunt dancefloors and headphones alike.