1. Jeremih, Impatient featuring Ty Dolla $ign. A sultry ballad about sex and longing, accented by Jeremih’s falsetto and a chilling synth. From the Chicago R&B star’s surprise release, Late Nights: The Album, which he dropped Dec. 3.
2. Q-Benjamin, Change My Mind. A deliciously languid R&B number from this Edmonton expat. Change My Mind is her first new track since her single Stars won the Juno for R&B/soul recording of the year in 2011. Look for an EP in 2016, as she makes sure to point out on the song.
3. Troye Sivan, Talk Me Down. A sonically lush yet emotionally raw pop tune about the push and pull of a doomed relationship. This Australian newcomer, one of Taylor Swift’s new favourites, released his full-length debut, Blue Neighbourhood, last week.
4. Faith Healer, Acid (Renny Wilson Remix). A sunnier, groovier and more psychedelic version of the original. (From Faith Healer’s debut, Cosmic Troubles, which is nominated for this year’s Edmonton Music Prize.) This remix, by Edmonton expat Renny Wilson, is featured on Mint Records’ compilation, Hot Heros 2, with tracks Tough Age, Fake Tears and Edmonton’s Cantoo.
5. Murder City Sparrows, Burn In Water. This track, released in 2005, was one of the first to get airplay via Sonic’s Band of the Month campaign. At the time, I described Burn In Water as “catchy as the flu — with bouncy rhythms, raw, bluesy guitars and (Jay Sparrow)’s quivering warbles reminiscent of the Violent Femmes and Jack White.”
The Edmonton rockers, who disbanded in 2009, are reissuing their first album with a previously unreleased tune — Passed Down All The Roads — and reuniting for a New Year’s Eve gig at On The Rocks, 11740 Jasper Ave. Tickets are $25 plus service charges at yeglive.ca.
ssperounes@edmontonjournal.com
