This week’s highly-curated selection of material for the Five Songs You Must Hear list starts by taking beneath the streets of Paris.
1. Queens of the Stone Age, Suture Up Your Future
Alive in the Catacombs (Matador)
Recommended If You Like: Concerts in weird places
In July 2024, Josh Homme and Queens of the Stone set up their gear in a weird spot: the cavernous ancient catacombs that run beneath Paris. To add to the drama, a three-piece string section was brought in with each player using chains and chopsticks as percussion instruments. The performance in front of a select group of fans was filmed and recorded. Part of the result is a five-song EP. Yes, it’s weird, but QotSA fans wouldn’t have it any other way.
2. Ghost, Lachryma
Skleta (Loma Vista/Concord)
RIYL: Metal crossed with ABBA
Ghost is fascinating. They often sound nothing like their image would suggest, and yet are an international hit. This album was the first hard rock album to debut at number one on the Billboard album charts. It’s currently tops in album sales, the best-selling vinyl release (largest sales week for a hard rock album on vinyl ever), and the number one seller in indie record stores. The world tour will be massive. Go figure. This is the latest single from Skelta.
3. Arrows in Action, Cheekbones
The Bloody Light (Nettwerk)
RIYL: Slick stuff
Formed at the University of Florida in 2015, this is a trio currently enjoying a buzzy time in some corners of the indie underground. They seem to have found purchase in Europe with their sweet melodies and slick production. They’re starting to make some inroads with American radio so we’ll see what happens in Canada.
4. Blonde Diamond, 2 Young to Die
Single (High Tide Records)
RIYL: Vancouver indie-rock
One to watch. This four-piece has already opened for Mother Mother, Bishop Briggs, and Portugal. The Man on tours across Canada, the US, Europe, Australia, and even India. One of their tag lines is “What the 60s thought the future would be.” Interesting.
5. Bob Moses, Time of Your Life
Single (Independent)
RIYL: More Vancouver
Again, not a band but an electronic duo consisting of Jimmy Vallance (son of Bryan Adams collaborator Jim Vallance) and Tom Howie who also tour with as a four-piece EDM outfit. They’ve won a Grammy, played Glastonbury, Coachella, Bonarroo, Governors Ball, and Lollapalooza, covered all the late-night TV shows in America, been featured on the BBC, and have seen their songs stream more than a billion times.
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