New Music Roundup: “Cupid Come” by Taleen Kali and VERTTIGO, Yves Jarvis, & more
Music releases are beginning to wind down as we near the end of 2024, but thankfully, there are still some gems yet to be discovered. This week, LA’s Taleen Kali offers a stunning cover of My Bloody Valentine’s “Cupid Come,” which undergoes an atmospheric remix treatment that reimagines the shoegaze and new wave sound, blending ethereal textures with gritty dancefloor energy. Kali’s debut LP Flower of Life was released last March, produced by Smashing Pumpkins' Jeff Schroeder. With a sold-out album release show, two national tours under their belt, and a headline spot at Dum Dum Fest this summer, the band is also gearing up for a support tour with Ringo Deathstarr.
With a nod to the genre-defining shoegaze bands like Ride and Lush, Kali deepens the original’s haunting vibe, amplifying its dark sensuality with her fiercely captivating vocals. Where My Bloody Valentine’s take envelops listeners with swirling noise, Kali’s rendition—remixed by Dum Dum Records labelmates Verttigo out of Edmonton—introduces driving, pulsating synths and a steady, infectious rhythm that makes it ready a night out in the city, while still holding onto its otherworldly and dreamlike quality. The mix is undeniably kinetic, threading the line between delicate and powerful as Kali’s voice drifts in and out, beckoning listeners into a nocturnal space. For fans of dream pop’s darker side, this is a mesmerising reimagining of a classic, capturing the spirit of the original while carving out its own hypnotic path.
We also saw a new release from Calgary’s own Yves Jarvis, now based in Montreal. “Gold Filigree” feels like a quiet, shimmering moment suspended in time—an intricate and refined piece of music that’s understated yet rich in emotional depth. If you’ve kept up with our previous recaps, you’ll know we’ve had Mk.Gee on repeat, and similarly, Jarvis explores new sonic territory, blending soul, indie, and experimental elements. Both artists channel a deeply personal, reflective tone through their vocals, which are tender yet commanding. “Gold Filigree” evokes the mood of candlelit dinners, sprawling on the floor with a loved one dripping in gold (as depicted in the visualizer for the track), and embracing a passion for quality funk music.
On our updated Sounds of Reverie playlist, we also highlight the dreamlike duo Milk & Bone with “Forgone,” as well as the innovative vocals of Eartheater. Remixed by KFR, founder of New York-based label Chemical X Club, Eartheater’s “Pure Smile Snake Venom” gets a club-heavy re-work that explores transformation, duality, and the interplay between pleasure and pain. Continuing with a slew of darkwave releases, we have Toronto’s Bonnie Trash with “Veil of Greed,” a sharp societal critique on materialism, as well as Male Tears, one of our top music discoveries from Calgary’s Terminus Music Festival. Their track “Little Doll” is more relevant than ever, with the "little doll" acting as a metaphor for someone or something manipulated or objectified—a figure of desire, yet devoid of autonomy.
All this and more can be found on our playlist below. Stay tuned for more releases, and be sure to look out for our Top Albums of 2024 list coming soon.