Single Servings, Nov. 8, 2021

By Jason Schneider

In this week’s Single Servings, SATE plays the fool, Michee Mee gets back to her roots, Alex Lifeson sparks one up, and much more!

The Tragically Hip – Not Necessary

Release Date: Nov. 4

Label: Universal Music Canada

With the forthcoming deluxe edition of Road Apples gathering in last summer’s Saskadelphia EP along with other goodies, The Hip has made another video for a previously unreleased circa 1990 meat-and-potatoes rocker. Schitt’s Creek star Emily Hampshire appears as a fugitive bank robber who, after a quick transformation, somehow seemingly manages to get away.

Road Apples Deluxe Pre-Order here 

SATE – The Fool

Release Date: Nov. 5

Label: CLK Creative Works

Toronto’s SATE has finally followed up her acclaimed 2016 debut album RedBlack&Blue with The Fool, another suitably raging collection of grungy, blues rockers. The title track displays some more sonic ambition, which should go far in separating her from her more conventional competition.

Stream/Purchase here 

Cola – Blank Curtain

Release Date: Nov. 3

Label: Fire Talk / Next Door

Fans of Montreal post-punk outfit Ought got some good news and bad news last week. The band announced its break-up after nine years, but immediately revealed a new project dubbed Cola, featuring members Tim Darcy and Bed Stidworthy, along with U.S. Girls drummer Evan Cartwright. Blank Curtain is a first taste of the new trio’s approach, built around some of Darcy’s familiar jagged guitar lines and beguiling vocals.

Stream/Purchase here 

Mike Plume – Shreveport To L.A.

Release Date: Nov. 5

Label: Royalty Records

Edmonton hardcore troubadour Plume has had his touring regime curtailed over the past year, but he’s marking his tentative return to the road with Shreveport To L.A., his first new music since 2020’s Lonesome Stretch Of Highway. This brooding slab of classic alt-country tells the story of a guy on a mission to save his relationship. Can he do it? Listen to find out.

Stream/Purchase here  

Michee Mee – Willing & Able (feat. Xentury)

Release Date: Nov. 1

Label: Track And Field Entertainment

The Toronto hip-hop legend came back strong with last year’s Bahdgyal’s Revenge LP, and she’s continuing to attract attention for it with a couple of new videos. Willing & Able finds her in all her fierce glory, demonstrating again how she earned the respect of Chuck D and many other old-school rappers.

Website

Alex Lifeson – Cherry Lopez Lullaby

Release Date: Oct 29

Label: Lerxst Music Inc.

The guitar maestro continues to tease new music without any clear indication of what the final results might be, but for millions of Rush fans, the glimpses of Lifeson’s recent solo activities have stirred a lot of excitement. Cherry Lopez Lullaby is a hazy instrumental combining acoustic work with atmospherics, evidently inspired by one of his favourite marijuana strains.

Website

PIQSIQ – Ascend

Release Date: Nov. 5

Label: Independent

Last year, the visionary throat-singing sister duo PIQSIQ recorded a stunning, audience-free performance at Vancouver’s Christ Church Cathedral. It’s now about to be officially released, with Ascend offering a potent taste of the overall results. Moreover, the location is highly significant, given that their Inuk traditions had been banned by the Catholic church.

Bandcamp

Janette King – Found A Way

Release Date: Oct. 31

Label: Hot Tramp Records

If you’re still looking for some post-Halloween chills, Montreal R&B artist King is happy to oblige with the latest video from her album What We Lost. However, it was a friend’s struggle with addiction inspired the song itself. As King says, “it’s about losing a sense of trust with them because they are not being honest about where they’re at and about how their choices affect those that love them.”

Stream/Purchase here  

Gold & Youth – Blush

Release Date: Nov. 5

Label: Paper Bag Records

Vancouver’s Gold & Youth are storming back with their new album Dream Baby, the long overdue follow-up to the quartet's 2013 debut Beyond Wilderness. The electro-rock band’s core remains intact, including Louise Burns who, since the release of the first album has established her own successful solo and production career. On Dream Baby, Gold & Youth probe the unconscious mind to explore liberation, maladaptive escapism and everything in between. In the words of bandleader Matthew Lyall, “Is it a positive or a negative that we can kind of delude ourselves? It’s both.”

Stream/Purchase here  

David James Allen – Nobody

Release Date: Nov. 5

Label: Garment District Records

Allen has flown under the radar for several years as one of Canada’s more intriguing singer/songwriters. His cinematic approach to Americana sets him apart from many of his peers, as well as the profound connection to nature that shines through in his lyrics. It’s all there in Nobody, a preview of Allen’s album The Architect, out Nov. 19.

Stream/Purchase here