SUMMER 2024: HELENA DELAND, AIZA, ERIKA ANGELL
Hey hey hey! My name is Helen Young, and I’m the current Music & Performance Director at CJSW Radio here in Calgary. I’ve been in this role for 3+ years now, and programming my radio show The Future Language for nearly a decade. It’s exciting to see all the new music that comes through the station, to work with artists, labels and publicists and all of the wonderful volunteers we have at CJSW. Something I work closely with volunteers on at CJSW, is album reviewing! Since we have so much music coming through our door all the time, it seemed like a good opportunity to get multiple ears and opinions on new releases. Music reviewing at CJSW gives volunteers the skills to learn how to discern between different genres, absorb music in different ways, expose themselves to new styles and exercise their opinions and tastes through critical creative writing. I am so fortunate to have so many eager writers on board, and am excited to share some of our shining reviews with Reverie!
HELENA DELAND - GOODNIGHT SUMMERLAND
(CHIVI CHIVI)
Release Date: October 13, 2023
The second full length solo release by Vancouver born Helena Deland finds a dreamy yet rootsy sound, in contrast to the ambient pop backings of her debut. Songs such as the bright & jumpy 'Spring Bug' are sung of memories and the inescapable regrets & melancholy they may bring. The record deals in grief and the introspection one goes through in the effort to move on, with seemingly serene vocals, light, dark, & grey shaded songs, with the occasional hint of chamber folk now & then in songs like album closer 'Strawberry Moon'.
- Justin Hildebrand
AIZA - SOVEREIGNTY
(HIDDEN PONY/UNIVERSAL CANADA)
Release Date: September 29th, 2023
From Montreal, of Burundian parents, Aiza (eh-ZAH) or Andrée Isabelle Ntibarikuré (NEE-BAR-EE-KOO-RAY) calls herself "the queen of Afro-bop". She's super multi-talented: actress, a host and producer of her own CBC Gem show, and, of course, a singer-songwriter. Not unlike Pierre Kwenders in vibe, rhythmic richness and in ingenuity/originality but with a fierce feminine voice. The title track, Sovereignty, is perfect to start off with her unique voice and mantra. (Explicit rating, on that track for use of the "F" word). For great "feel good" dance tracks, try Cocoa Butter or Majimbo. Want something slower and groovier and a reminder of self-care? Sip on her "Black Tea". Her songs Rosé (a collaboration with Divinity Roxx) and "Kité", (in French, a coined term for "quitter" or "leave" in English and it's so, so, good), are empowering songs to tell former romantic partners where to go, and she does that in style. A love story with a better ending? "One And Only" is your best bet. "Little Girl" is a sweet and slow song and from the perspective of a woman singing to her much younger self. This album is a "coup de coeur" and is deserving of play time and promotion. A great Canadian talent for dance/r&b/electro/hip-hop/afro-beat music.
- Filomena Gomes
ERIKA ANGELL - THE OBSESSION WITH HER VOICE
(CONSTELLATION)
Release Date: Mar. 8th, 2024
Erika Angell’s record is a walk through a (post)modern art gallery, where you have the curious but captivating opener (“Dress of Stillness”), the one that leverages empty space (“Bear”), the trippy jaunt (“Good and Bad”), and the resident eyebrow-raiser (“German Singer”). But you also get the highlights where you have to be patient to appreciate them (“Up My Sleeve,”“One”) and let yourself be taken by the elements (“Open Eyes,” “Let Your Hair Down”), the main shows making their unavoidable mark (“Never Tried to Run,” “Temple”). Bedazzling at its most experimental and utterly beautiful at its best, Angell’s work can be a challenge, but it’s a path worth traveling.
- David Marallag