Upcoming Toronto trio Young Empires have curated a playlist of their creme of the newgen music crop coming out of Canada.
We’ve likened Toronto’s Young Empires to Brit band Prides before, now we’re taking a look at their taste in new tunes, with a list of their Ones To Watch. The trio formed in Canada way back in 2009 and ever since we’ve been watching them hone their sound, currently an arena-worthy mix of guitars fused with synths.
Describing themselves as ‘haute rock’ they’ve got an eclectic style to say the least but it’s working. As the limelight burns ever brighter on Matthew Vlahovich, Jake Palahnuk and Taylor Hill, they shed a little light back onto the bands that they’re loving that you might not yet know.
https://soundcloud.com/youngempires/the-gates
TMPL
“The set kicks off with a fresh new track from our boys TMPL. ‘Voyij’ is a powerful indie pop tune – emotional vocals hover over brilliantly creative percussion.”
https://soundcloud.com/tmplofficial/voyij?in=youngempires/sets/toronto
MICKEY LOVES MALLORY
“Up next is a brand new tune from a brand new band MICKEY LOVES MALLORY. ‘Flash Flood’ is a slow burning duet is both haunting and beautiful.”
https://soundcloud.com/mickey-loves-mallory/flash-flood?in=youngempires/sets/toronto
DANIEL CAESAR
“DANIEL CAESAR may be the most exciting new artist in Toronto right now. His EP, Praise Break, has garnered much critical acclaim and thus heavy interest from major labels. ‘Violet’ is the most soulful track, but we could’ve easily included any song from that EP – it is just so strong.”
https://soundcloud.com/danielcaesar/violet?in=youngempires/sets/toronto
RIVER TIBER
“‘No Talk’ from RIVER TIBER was first heard as a sample on Drake’s ‘No Tellin’. The beautiful layered vocals stay stuck in your head for days… it’s no wonder it caught Drake’s attention.”
https://soundcloud.com/rivertiber/no-talk?in=youngempires/sets/toronto
BRAVESTATION
“Closing out side A is the latest single from long-time friends, BRAVESTATION. ‘Haven’ is their first offering since signing a record deal with budding Culvert Records. Look for them to pick up where Yeasayer left off.”
https://soundcloud.com/bravestation/haven?in=youngempires/sets/toronto
COLECO
“COLECO have reigned over Toronto’s tropical house scene for quite some time. ‘You’re So Fine’ off their latest Thrillhouse Records EP is the perfect summer road trip jam.”
https://soundcloud.com/colecomusicgroup/coleco-youre-so-fine-preview?in=youngempires/sets/toronto
BRAVE SHORES
“Though we generally like to feature unsigned or indie label artists, ‘Never Come Down’ by BRAVE SHORES is just too good of a jam to be left off. These guys are exploding on Canadian radio right now.”
https://soundcloud.com/brave-shores/i-dont-care-if-i-ever-come-down?in=youngempires/sets/toronto
LOBBY
“‘Out On The Scene’ was the first release from newly formed LOBBY. The brooding bass line interacts with the keyboards in just the right way.”
https://soundcloud.com/scion-sessions/side-b-lobby-out-on-the-scene?in=youngempires/sets/toronto
JAZZ CARTIER
“With Canadian Music Week coming up, JAZZ CARTIER seems to be on everyone’s must-see list. ‘Rose Quartz/Like, Crazy’ is co-produced by Toro Y Moi and features Toro’s song in between powerful rhymes about love and hate.”
https://soundcloud.com/jazzcartier/rose-quartzlike-crazy?in=youngempires/sets/toronto
HARRISON
“The final track is from producer HARRISON. On ‘How Can It Be’, he makes clever use of portamento, stabbing synths, and hooky vocal samples.”
https://soundcloud.com/harrison_music/how-can-it-be-feat-maddee-1?in=youngempires/sets/toronto