New Music Roundup: Wombo, Boslen, Crown Lands, and more
Wombo. Photo credit: Terrorbird.
This week is thrumming with boldness—where psych-punk meets prog-rock revival, and hip-hop becomes both battle cry and balm. We’re bringing you the twitchy, art-damaged stylings of Louisville trio Wombo, the sultry, spiritual sounds of Crown Lands, and two sharply distinct voices in Canadian rap: the genre-bending wildness of Boslen and the razor-sharp wisdom of Shad. As always, your next obsession might be just a skip away. Dive into the full experience on our Sounds of Reverie playlist on Spotify, and let the reverie ride.
American three-piece Wombo released the single “Spyhopping” from their forthcoming album, Danger in Fives, set to release on August 8. The single is off-kilter and whimsical which is character for the band. So far, the band has also prereleased the title track and another single “Neon Bog” in anticipation of the official release. Their music tows a liminal space between unconscious mystery and childlike imagination. In “Spyhopping,” they contemplate disillusionment alongside the bliss of ignorance. Lead vocalist Syndey Chadwick explains in a press release that, “Spyhopping is a behavior by marine animals like whales, where they are checking their surroundings by poking one eye out of the water while keeping the rest of their body safely underneath.” She goes on to explain how these lyrics resemble her “broken train of thoughts” using the metaphor of “being underwater, and needing to, every now and then, resurface for clarity.” The band's retrospective slowgaze is reaching full form with each release exploring uncharted territory and demonstrating a level of creativity and execution that leaves us yearning for more. Wombo departs on a tour across America, United Kingdom, and Europe this fall, kicking off with a hometown performance in Louisville, Kentucky.
The rock duo Crown Lands from Oshawa, ON, released a new EP on July 8. Titled Ritual I, the piece explores Indigenous spirituality in a sonic space by using traditional sounds such as drums, flute melodies, and animal calls. The band consists of Mi’qmak Two Spirit Cody Bowles and guitarist Kevin Comeau, and they make music centered around Indigeneity and colonialism. Having toured alongside rock influences such as KISS, Greta Van Fleet, and Jack White, the duo uses progressive rock and psychedelia as a vessel to communicate larger ideas. Their latest EP is a sort of call back from their modern rock style as it explores deeply spiritual channels. A composition of healing, storytelling, and love, they blend rhythmic drumming with atmospheric textures. While this piece stands alone in their discography in terms of rich and meaningful instrumentals, it feels like a grounding place for this band to reconnect with their history, direction, and purpose.
Vancouver’s Corben Nikk Bowen, known by the alias Boslen, released a full-length album, Dali, earlier this month. Known for his 2021 EP GONZO that sent waves through the hip-hop scene, and earning him a Juno Award nomination, Boslen is back with his third studio album. With elements of electronic distortion, soulful melodies, and alternative hip-hop, Boslen manages to maintain a cohesive aesthetic across the piece. The album’s opening track, “Pretty Life,” is a precursor to the whole project with a deep, digital reverb backed by layers of elegant sound design, showcasing his newly refined production skills. The song “Gods Side” features rapping over harmonic vocals and a trap-style beat, emblematic of new-school hip-hop legends. In “Painful Joy” we hear a range of vocal styles which showcase his variety of skills. Taking inspiration from the experimental sounds of Kid Cudi and Kanye West, Boslen manages to hone in on his own sound and express himself in a way that is unpredictable and fresh.
Toronto-based MC Shad released the single “Bars and BBQs” on July 10. A sneak peak from his upcoming album, Start Anew, set to release on Oct. 31, the track blends early 2000s RnB with modern hip-hop. His effortless flow bounces over jazzy beats as he makes modern pop culture references that sandwich the realities of youth today. Shad is a decorated artist with over 30 million streams across platforms, as well as numerous placements on the Polaris Music Prize shortlist and a Juno award. His latest track sounds subtle and unperturbed as he flexes his thoughtful alliteration. With his goal to entertain and educate, Shad frequently includes sociopolitical messaging in his work. While just the first of his approaching albums, we are enjoying this release until we can hear the rest.