New Music Saturday

M’Grasker is a coven of humanoid meat sacks forged in the Vats of Creation by Dr. Gorp. Their mission: to Rock. However, they are also permitted to Roll. Human terminology might define them as a “band,” however they would be more accurately described as Biological Property of M’Graskorp Unlimited Enterprises and Subsidiaries of the GlanGlan Group. M’Graskorp’s renowned legal team compelled Jesse Turnbull (Taurus Music) and Dave Monks (of Tokyo Police Club) to engineer and produce their forthcoming self-titled album, due this year.

They present a psychedelic symphony in the form of “Kiss & Smoke Weed,” an amorous and trippy song that pays homage to the twin pillars of human joy: a kiss, the sweet interlocking of souls, and the goij, the herb that unravels the mind’s knotty woes. Imagine the harmonic convergence of lips meeting ‘twixt loving gazes and the effervescent dance of goij smoke waltzing through the air. Its intoxicating groove offers a kaleidoscope of sounds, accompanied by a phantasmagoria of color and love.

The Neighbourhood Watch’s story-driven blend of folk and indie rock clearly touched a nerve when they released their album, Community Protected (2017). Without any sort of label or industry support, the album racked up 10 million+ streams. Their follow-up albums Goodbye Childhood (2019) and Lost in Bloom (2021) received strong recognition, with features in the Toronto Star, blogTO, Exclaim!, and Indie88. The Neighbourhood Watch have already proved that this was no beginner’s luck – now with their upcoming fourth full-length release, this Toronto band is more than ready to take the international stage. 

“Patient Love” is a pop-folk, stomp and holler, kind of song. It’s about the idea that you shouldn’t lose faith that love is right around the corner. Sometimes, you just have to let go and it will find you. 

Ottawa’s Laurence DaNova assures that “even after trauma, we survive” on the ‘90s trip-hop anthem, “Resurfacing.”

“‘Resurfacing’ represents a journey towards self-discovery, reconciliation, and escapism,” DaNova explains about the nostalgia-invoking track. “It’s written as a metaphorical narrative of finding solace in an underwater world – a symbolic safe haven, away from the struggles and suffering of the land above.”