New Music Roundup: Marlaena Moore “Running on Empty”, Ribbon Skirt, Gloin, Thomas Thomas, and more
Photo Credit: Kirk Lasaj
In this week's musical deep dive, we explore six releases that showcase the rich diversity of the current musical landscape. What emerges is a beautiful testament to Canada's interconnected music communities: Marlaena Moore's latest album, produced by Preoccupations' Scotty Munro, bridges the gap between her Montreal present and Alberta roots, while Montreal's Ribbon Skirt (formerly Love Language), led by Anishinaabe singer Tashiina Buswa, brings their powerful perspective on navigating colonial structures through music. Having shared stages with acclaimed acts like Dehd, Ombiigizi, Chad VanGaalen, and Julie Doiron, they're part of a vital network of artists challenging conventional narratives. The roundup also features Calgary's own Thomas Thomas, highlighting how these geographic and cultural connections continue to shape and influence the sounds we hear that remind us of home.
Marlaena Moore released Because You Love Everything today via Session, a new sub-label of Bonsound that has jumpstarted some of the biggest names in the Montreal indie scene, including Corridor, Elisapie, Claudia Bouvette, and more. A collection of deeply personal songs, the singer-songwriter captivates listeners through her hauntingly evocative songwriting, exploring themes of self-discovery, creativity, and perseverance. Moore’s album finds its pinnacle in "Running on Empty," where crystalline production allows each element to breathe in its own space. The track opens with reverb-drenched piano that hangs in the air like morning mist, before introducing Moore's characteristic alto. In her own words, Moore shares, “This album is a tribute to feeling completely lost as an artist and making art in spite of that. I originally named this collection of songs “I don’t really know what I’m doing anymore,” which throughout the years I've been trying to put this album out has felt correct but not hopeful. As much as I go through my spells of pessimism and defeat, wanting to quit music altogether, at the end of the day it doesn’t feel like me. I am an innately hopeful person, and therefore, an innately hopeful artist. “Because You Love Everything” is the hopeful reply to feeling lost. I don’t think I’ll ever fully know what I’m doing and I don’t know if I’ll ever be “successful,” in the traditional sense, but I’ll always make music because I love the experience of being alive in this world. The good, the bad, everything.”
Meanwhile, the emo revival gets an innovative shot in the arm with Customer Service's latest offering. "And it Feels" demonstrates how contemporary production techniques can elevate traditional genre elements, mixed and mastered by Billy Mannino who’s worked with emo favourites like OSO OSO and Macseal. The drums are recorded with remarkable clarity, each hit distinct yet never sterile, while the guitars alternate between math-rock precision and waves of controlled distortion. The band's dual-vocal approach benefits from careful mixing that allows both voices to interweave without losing definition. The overall mood is cathartic yet controlled, like a perfectly executed emotional release. The band have a new EP coming out on February 14th, released via Royal Mountain Records.
Following their powerful exploration of religious duality and Indigenous identity in "Indian Cowboy," when Ribbon Skirt were formerly known as Love Language, the band continues to push boundaries with "Cellophane." While this came out in 2024, it flew under the radar for us and now we are looking forward to upcoming releases in 2025. The track delivers a masterclass in modern dream pop production while maintaining the band's thoughtful examination of perception and reality. It’s a vibrant tapestry of sound and emotion that touches the heart and lifts the spirit of the Anishinaabe experience. To be Anishinaabe in a contemporary settler state also means, tragically, to overcome trauma and live with grief. Tashiina Buswa's vocals cut through the haze with crystalline clarity and purpose. The mix is deliberately layered, creating a gauzy effect that perfectly matches the song's themes of seeing through societal constructs. What sets this apart is the unexpected incorporation of glitch elements in the chorus, where the dreamy atmosphere is periodically interrupted by artfully placed digital artifacts - a sonic metaphor for disrupting established narratives. Genre-wise, it sits at the intersection of shoegaze and electronic experimentation, while maintaining an accessible emotional core that speaks to both personal and collective experiences.
Checking in with Mothland, who stay busy consistently releasing some of the best punk music in the industry, their latest offering is Gloin with "controlfreak69". Based in Toronto, Gloin pushes the boundaries of noisy music production. They will be releasing their sophomore effort titled All of your anger is actually shame (and I bet that makes you angry)'on March 28, 2025 and are sure to melt the Canada House down when they play SXSW this year in Austin, TX.
Vundabar have returned with "Spades", showcasing the band evolving toward a more refined indie rock sound without sacrificing their raw energy. The production maintains a live feel while adding subtle flourishes that reward repeated listening. The bass tone is particularly noteworthy, warm and round but with enough grit to drive the song forward. Genre-wise, the track walks a line between post-punk revival and alternative rock, with hints of garage rock's spontaneity. The mood is urgent and immediate, capturing the electricity of a late-night performance in an intimate venue. They have also announced a new record, Surgery and Pleasure, out March 7 via Loma Vista Recordings and will kick off a spring 2025 tour with a hometown show in Boston on release day and a Vancouver date.
Closing our roundup is Thomas Thomas's haunting "One Lone Candle." The Calgary charmers are a result of the creative collision of the sincere singer-songwriter Shannon Thomas and the curious indie-rocker Thomas Englund (Bell Tower, Beta Boys). Combining their names and adding a sparkly rock ensemble, the band makes swooning and nostalgic songs worthy of the swankiest high school prom. The production here maintains their signature hand-crafted aesthetic, with guitars that sparkle with the same warmth as their yellow-drenched live performances. On January 18 they will be celebrating the single release at The Box Arts Centre - don’t miss out!
All this and more on our Sounds of Reverie playlist down below: