New Music Roundup: Preoccupations, Roach, KTheChosen teams up with Tarik Robinson and Bkay Won, Brock Geiger, and more
Toronto's Roach dropped "Everything or Nothing," the title track from their new EP on Twin Fang Records, and it's one of those songs that stops you in your tracks. The band builds tension, pulling you deeper with each listen until you find yourself catching new details – a buried harmony here, a subtle rhythmic shift there. Violet de Rege-Braga, Jackson Seaward, Carly Harris, and Michael O’Meara have undeniable musical chemistry, crafting tunes that feel like a coming-of-age film from the 90’s.
Calgary's own KTheChosen, Tarik Robinson, and Bkay Won have released something truly special with "Breathe." ChefBeatz's production weaves Afrobeats and hip-hop into something distinctly Calgarian, creating this perfect foundation where both artists can shine. When Bkay Won's hook floats in, it elevates everything to another level entirely. It's exactly the kind of collaboration that makes the upcoming LYFE compilation feel so essential – a document of a city's sound evolving in real time.
Swimming's new album 'old' just landed, and "You Smell Like Phys Ed" emerges as its beating heart as the opening track. The St. John's outfit has always excelled at finding the extraordinary in everyday moments, but there's something especially potent about how they capture memories through songwriting. Saturated in math rock/emo nostalgia, “you’re such a sucker, I think I’m falling for you” is meant to be a sing along track that fits perfectly within their discography. There’s no question that the maritime melancholy and Canadian angst is in full effect here: like American Football, but the football’s actually hockey and instead of backyard parties, it’s basement shows during snowstorms. Swimming is one of my favourite emo bands to emerge, so shoutout your feelings into the void and have a fun time with your friends.
Computer Kill's "Voices" reveals its secrets, where Baltimore's digital goth/synth sound delves into the cronenbergian tech-horror aesthetic. The production details feel like whispered confessions, each glitch and stutter purposeful and surprisingly human. With a dystopian, entrancingly repetitive synth line as the foundation of the track, this weeks music roundup leans towards the productively paranoid genre.
Speaking of which, Preoccupations teamed up with Marlaena Moore for "Focus" - her ethereal vocals adding new dimensions to the band's muscular sound. As our first glimpse of 'Ill at Ease,' it suggests they're pushing into fascinating territory, leaning into an even more refined 80’s pop sound. With mechanical riffs, icy synths reminiscent of technological alienation, and paranoid lyrics, they emote a general feeling of anxiety for systems beyond human control. Speaking of the track, vocalist Matt Flegel shares: “Focus…or the lack thereof. Shame and regret: waking up with it, not being able to sleep because of it, and finally falling asleep and having nightmares about it. I put myself a thousand years in the future with these same feelings. While having so many better things to be worried about, as the world falls apart, still finding it impossible to look past meaningless misgivings.”
Their upcoming Commonwealth show in Calgary on June 4, 2025 promises to be one of those nights that celebrate a homecoming for the band who have achieved great heights outside of the city. Find tickets here.
Rounding out our week of releases is "Early August Rain" showcasing Brock Geiger at his most assured, letting arrangements breathe and stories unfold at their own pace, produced at the legendary Sound City Studios in Los Angeles by Geiger and Grammy Award winning collaborator Will Maclellan (Phoebe Bridgers, Boygenius). It’s very different from the anxiety ridden tracks we’ve featured earlier on, with the lyrics echoing sentiments of resolve. Each element feels optimistic and refreshing, suggesting his upcoming debut album, Some Nights is going to the perfect soundtrack to transition us into the warmer months, set for release on March 18, 2025. Brock shares: “’Early August Rain’ was written while I was watching parts of my personal world go up in flames while simultaneously witnessing the wildfires in Canada last summer. This song became an outlet for practicing acceptance in the face of things beyond my control, evolving into a personal anthem of resilience. The title is quite literal, but thematically, I was drawn to the relationship between the natural world, and how we navigate our own storms.”
What makes this week's releases so compelling is how they each carve out their own space while speaking to something larger. Check out more new releases below on our Sounds of Reverie playlist, updated every week.