Happy New Year guys! Hope you had a good one.
Check out the Top Ten Music Videos of 2021 – I hope you enjoy!
Be sure the check out the Top Ten Albums of 2021 tomorrow – take care for now!
10. CAN’T FWU – 3BREEZY
9. SMOKE GOOD F**K BETTER – A S JAY
8. YOU DON’T WANNA/Y – TRUEMENDOUS
7. CHOP THE BUMMIES – J-ONYX
6. HOPE – MIKE BODY
5. NOT PERFECT – GENA PERALA
4. GIRLS – BLK
3.WE CAN’T STOP (MILEY CYRUS COVER)
2. RED DIE – TOOSII
1. A PLACE WHERE LOVE IS – K-RIZ
With expertly tracked instrumentals fusing with precisely programmed synthesizers to meet in the dark, award-winning Canadian artist MICHELLE RASKY‘s single creates a substantial electro dance-pop single in ‘Dancing on My Own’
The Folk Music Ontario Songwriter of the Year award-winner’s newest genre-bending release explores how Rasky finds solace in her musical compositions the same way she’s found solace in dancing — especially throughout the recent string of unforeseen worldly events.
“One of the things that’s helped me feel positive and grounded over the past year has been throwing on music, and just dancing by myself,” the Ontario-based multi-talented artist shares. “Losing ourselves in song and movement can be so uplifting… It’s this beautiful form of self-expression and a way to be present –– to enjoy the feeling of being alive and connected. I really wanted to bring that kind of energy into this song.”
With an array of talent at her disposal — from multi-instrumental abilities to her production experience — Michelle Rasky has been on a lifelong journey with music; “I grew up in a musical household and started playing piano when I was three years old,” Rasky recalls. “I was always passionate about a wide variety of music, and I think my love and respect for so many different artists continue to shape my approach to writing and producing.”
Along the way, the Toronto-born artist has found a knack for blending genres to create her unique organic-hybrid-pop sound that fans have come to know and love. While her earlier works are inspired by Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, and other artists of the like, she reveals she has been on a journey recently…
While Rasky has long been developing her sound since first stepping onto the scene, her newest venture into the electro-pop dance scene feels fine-tuned and proficient. Focused on expanding her musical exploration, the dynamic artist has gravitated towards incorporating ambient textures, synthesizers, and programmed beats, ultimately finding a way to merge her deep love of electronic music into her expansive scope of work.
Rasky recorded ‘Dancing on My Own’ in her home, giving the unique production another level of heart and soul. Handling vocals, instrumentation, and production, this adept guitar, and piano performer put together a profound electronic-leaning single for the masses to dance to.
‘Dancing on My Own’ is available now…Why not check out the video for the single below…
Canadian art-pop artist SELCI released her latest single ‘Ghost,’ accompanied by a stunning visual directed by the artist herself. ‘Ghost’ offers a first taste into what will be a fruitful 2022, as Selci puts the finishing touches on a two-part album project, details of which will be announced next month.
Discussing her latest offering, Selci noted that, “it’s about being ghosted – literally and figuratively. The first verse is about the elusiveness of truth. This feels augmented in our current reality with the lack of trustworthy sources and the influx of political conspiracies. The second is about being ghosted by a love interest and washing it away with liquor. The third is an outcry – it gives me the feeling of falling to my knees in surrender to the things that I cannot control in this life. This song is very much a response to the political climate of the past two years. It takes the laments of modern life and compares them to ghosts.”
For Selci, the pairing of music to the visual, is a natural extension of expression. “The video for ‘Ghost’ recreates famous 19th century paintings of mythological women,” she noted. “In contemporary styling we recreated Charles Mengin’s ‘Sappho’, Waterhouse’s ‘Echo and Narcissus’, and Mallais’ ‘Ophelia’. Contemporary dancers dance like ghosts in front of giant human-like statues in Calgary, known as ‘The Brotherhood of Mankind’. In its time, it was created as a celebration of colonization, framing it as a gift to the rest of the world – a dated and simply incorrect view of colonization, and continued harm it has brought to Indigenous peoples.
Continuing with that theme, the scenes of women dancing in red dresses is an intended nod of awareness to the inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Canada. The final scene – featuring a woman, apple in hand, being clutched by another hand from below, is a commentary on the Garden of Eden, and forced assimilation into the Catholic Church.”
‘Ghost’ follows Selci’s September single ‘Type and Send.’ The two tracks show the versatility and dynamic range of Selci’s sonic palette. And with a two-part album set for 2022, the Selci is ready to take on the world.
Why not check out the epic video for the single below…
A meditation on reaching your highest self, ‘Mindful,’ the latest single from Calgary alternative R&B artist UYEMI calls for cutting cords with those who block your growth. The track, which appears on her upcoming Butterfly Effect EP, is out now with an accompanying video directed by Alimzhan Sabir (Mattiel, ToBi, Jon Vinyl), with creative direction from Uyemi and video production by fellow visionary artist Selci.
The video takes viewers into a bleary-eyed Uyemi’s dishevelled environment, a metaphor for her troubled world. Connecting to her higher self through a TV set in retro soul-infused sequences and euphoric soft-focus hallucinations, Uyemi’s journey from anguished to elevated state of mind is stylishly portrayed.
“There’s free will/You can do whatever you like…You can be yourself,” Uyemi intones to her turmoiled self from an alternate place. And it’s in this space between strength and vulnerability that she finds her groove. Paired with smooth-as-liquid melodies, her airy vocals waft like a long, calming exhale.
“’Mindful’ is a plea to protect your energy from unhealthy relationships and negative thinking,” Uyemi says. “You’ve got to be mindful of everything around you, so you can create the life that you want. The whole Butterfly Effect EP is about ridding toxic people from my life and finding my voice again after I lost it.”
Check it the video for ‘Mindful’ below…
Fusing indie pop with influences of country and folk music may seem like an odd partnership on paper for many, but this is what fundamentally makes up Toronto artist Michael Baker’s three-piece project, ‘Hasten Mercy.’
The haziness of the 80’s inspired synths softly poke through the hazy backdrop introduces the EP through the single ‘Star You Are.’ The guitar rounds up the three-and-a-half production, giving off a rich Americana sound.
With the driving grit of the electro bassline being the main feature, the second offering, ‘These Things’ (personally) more takes on a trippy downtempo tone, contributed by the woeful presence from the piano and violins.
Offering an appealing imitate setting, the artist invites us into his world through the final single, ‘I Break Everything’. He uses a vocal instrument to give a wholesome folk ballad that works perfectly against the soft electronic backdrop.
Michael Baker, who is the man behind the moniker Hasten Mercy, is known for pushing the boundaries to the extreme when it comes to experimenting with different genres. His solo project is a true testimony of his ability to merge unlikely genres into a very pleasing collection. All three singles have a solid potential for commanding regular attention on contemporary radio stations.
Have a listen to Hasten Mercy’s mini collection below…
Must Listens: I Break Everything, These Things
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