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

The post Young Empires’ Ones To Watch appeared first on Wonderland.

Matthew Vlahovich, Jake Palahnuk and Taylor Hill’s British counterparts would be Prides, another trio who are using synths and guitars to tread the line between pop, rock and dance music. We’ve had our eye on the boys from Canada since they formed in 2009 and over the years they’ve perfected their festival ready sound.

Their new single, ‘The Gates’ is moody, anthemic and uplifting. After you’ve whirled through that roller coaster of emotion you’re ultimately left feeling a little overwhelmed, but it’s in a good way, promise. Even the studio recording is preparing for thousand strong crowds, supplementing the percussion with claps, echoed vocals give the impression of chanting and the beat is like a war drum. This is a song to kick a crowd into action.

The post Premiere: Young Empires – “The Gates” appeared first on Wonderland.