8 Emerging Canadian Artists You Need to Hear in June 2022
Meet Exclaim!'s latest New Faves, including Nova Scotian metal magicians and a Vancouver folk experimentalist
Blunt Chunks
Toronto, ON
For fans of: Big Thief, Julie Doiron, Charlotte Cornfield
At first blush, Blunt Chunks (a.k.a. Jaunt's Caitlin Woelfle-O'Brien) fits right in amid today's strong crop of folk rock singer-songwriters, with ethereal vocals that dip into pop and R&B stylings, twanging arrangements, and evocative lyrics equally vivid and visceral. But then, four-fifths of the way into her self-titled debut EP, she blows the whole project wide open on "BWFW," a breathtaking detour that erupts into alt-rock pyrotechnics. No matter what she's channelling, she's bound to make you feel exactly how she does.
Matt Bobkin
Fox Lake
Winnipeg, MB
For fans of: American Football, Algernon Cadwallader, Into It. Over It.
Canadians aren't known for shaping the sound of Midwest emo, but leave it to a group of Winippeggers to adopt it so naturally. Fox Lake's Repose, released at the end of April, is a terrific debut album that already demonstrates a mastery of the style. It's a tangle of fancy fingerwork, nifty drumming, airy atmospheres and wistful melodies that's spirited and energetic yet dripping with melancholy.
Adam Feibel
La Sécurité
Montreal, QC
For fans of: Television, Talking Heads, Bikini Kill
With a lineup including Laurence-Anne and members of Choses Sauvages and Jesuslesfilles, Montreal's newest experimental art punk supergroup La Sécurité recently dropped their debut English single in "Try Again," a post-disco burner replete with cryptic lyrics, hypnotizing synths, a motorik rhythm and wacky guitar hooks. They'll be bringing their frenetic dance-punk energy to their first live show at Montreal's Distorsion Psych Fest in July.
Stephan Boissonneault
Lifeandthetribe
Hamilton, ON
For fans of: Janet Jackson, H.E.R., Erykah Badu
Concise, vulnerable and proud, Lifeandthetribe is the R&B/pop project of Aisha Barrow, the woman making waves for her confidence-boosting singles. Barrow celebrates women who embrace their full potential and live shamelessly, regardless of personal insecurities or societal norms, as expressed on the danceable "Goddam," where Barrow exclaims, "Yeah, she work it, twerk it, pop it, 'cause she know that she can."
Sarah Jessica Rintjema
Marian
Fredericton, NB
For fans of: Tom Petty, Big Star, Spoon
Marian's upbeat choruses, euphoric harmonies and vintage production give a fresh twist to rock fundamentals. Their debut full-length Hit Record uplifts on tracks like "Astral Plane" and tackles serious topics with "This Side of Paradise," where frontman Dylan Ward — originally from Eel Ground (Natoaganeg) First Nation — sings his frustration over the killing of Chantel Moore.
Johnny James
Raccoon
Montreal, QC
For fans of: J.Cole, Joey Bada$$, Isaiah Rashad
Raccoon has come into his own with the recent release of his single "Tout le monde à raison" and a standout verse on Loud's Aucune promesse, establishing him as an exciting new voice in Montreal's rap scene. On that record's "Win Win," he goes toe-to-toe with Quebec hip-hop heavyweights and brings his own brand of emotionally informed lyricism to the fore. With new summer dates announced, fans can discover Raccoon's flow, wit and powerful stage presence throughout the summer.
Antoine-Samuel Mauffette Alavo
Troll Dolly
Vancouver, BC
For fans of: Megabog, Mutual Benefit, Feist
With past lives as a drummer, improviser, session musician and environmental researcher, Halifax-raised, Vancouver-based artist Jen Yakamovich crystallizes her many selves into glittering art pop as Troll Dolly. Creaking folk samples, tape experimentation, whispered hymnals and spritely pop melodies push and pull against one another, teasing shimmery shapes from heaps of sonic detritus. Her upcoming release Heaven's Mini Mart heralds the arrival of a visionary new voice.
Kaelen Bell
Worst Part
Halifax, NS
For fans of: Kyuss, Priestess, ASG
Having built a solid foundation with their last two EPs, Worst Part have become a stoner metal institution on Canada's East Coast. After some personnel changes over the past few years, Worst Part return with a robust new lineup and their best song to date in "Self-Betrayer." The furious four-piece are primed to finish out the year strong, with plans to hopefully release a new EP or full-length before 2023.
Mark Tremblay
Listen to tracks from these and other New Faves on our Spotify playlist: