The QUB musique playlist of February 24, 2023

UPDATE DAY

What to listen to through all the news? Stéphane Plante and Mélissa Pelletier from QUB musique point out 5 essentials!

Food for Worms – Shame ***1/2

A bit rambling than this Food For Wormswith these 10 songs fleeing any guideline. Admittedly, there are benchmarks here and there between certain titles, but we are not afraid to scatter. And the charm after a few listens is perhaps hidden under this jumble of thick, broth tunes. A happy amalgamation sometimes thoroughly in post-punk, sometimes comfortable in the new wave revival à la Interpol or Bloc Party. This is especially true for Finger of Steel, the very first of the album which does not necessarily announce the content of the whole. From the second proposition, Six-Pack, the extra wah-wah takes away some intensity on the attack. If you like High Vis, IDLES or other combos from a certain revival of English punk, you will find your account there. Aderall and its slower tempo manages to show a side even leaning towards the side of lo-fi/indie rock of the 90s. Shame does not just fuel punk aggression. Finish with All The Peoplerefers to a somewhat predictable finale with its 5 minutes stretching out. (Stéphane Plante)

Across The Room – Gabrielle Shonk ** **

The warm voice of the artist hooks us from How We Used To Be, ballad with R&B sounds. This poignant introduction quickly expands into pop and jazz sounds that signal a change of direction for the talented artist. Fans of Jesse Mac Cormack, friend and director of Shonk, may easily recognize his touch, especially on Remember To Breathe. It is this breath of fresh air, of perspective, that we feel through the pieces co-composed with Jessy Caron (Men I Trust) which stand very well on their own. Together, they give rise to a complex, emotional and personal album, with the air of renewal. (Mélissa Pelletier)

The Art of the Common Volume 2 (EP) – Jack Layne ****

There's no shortage of swag in this Jacob Lainesse aka Jack Layne. With his Brick on bricks coated in vintage funk, he advances with confidence on the Quebec hip-hop scene. Sprinkling it all with a hint of humor. The midtempo pieces injected with smooth soul like Là-bashave real radio potential. Even on the slower beats, his flow weaves through at high speed. It passes very quickly. So fast that we can't wait to hear his full album. (Stéphane Plante)

With a view of the bitter – Jeannot Bournival ****

Stripped-down arrangements, vocals in the foreground… Bournival relies heavily on his lyrics. And it goes well, he handles words with finesse. Her pretty turns of the most imagery always fall to the point. Thus, he talks to us about “A broken sketch coastline” and admits that he would like “to unstitch your heart to wash it in the dew”. Wall to Wall and Our Ghosts remain perhaps the most humbling of the lot. That said, without taking anything away from the strictly melodic qualities of the rest. (Stéphane Plante)

Jazz Futon – Valaire ****

Already, a correction to Jazz Futon: it's more on a dance floor that this offering is likely to find its full potential. The former Misteur speak of a return to their roots by presenting these more jazzy pieces. Don't worry: we don't lose anything of the catchy rhythms, explorations, meticulousness and humor of the musicians, which rather nicely confirm their relevance in the Quebec landscape. Special mention to the very successful collaborations with Ciscero, Anomalie, Fanny Bloom, Mike Clay, Alan Prater, etc. A high caliber album. (Mélissa Pelletier)

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