A lot of good music has come out lately and I’m hard pressed to find the time to give it all the top billing it deserves. That said, it’d be a shame to go without mentioning some albums that I’ve had on repeat lately, so below are three releases that I’d like to recommend:

Belleisle - Longstanding

With Longstanding Montreal’s Belleisle have created the musical  epitome of serene. In fact, the album is so smooth that it crept below my radar for the first few listens, save for imparting an overall feeling of calm. There’s just something so enviably soothing about songs like album opener “Guitar (I Love You)” that leaves a peaceful afterglow every time.

That’s not to say that the entire effort is an acoustic lullaby, as there are definitely some more driven numbers (“Flowers and Coffee” for instance).  In fact, a lot of Longstanding boasts an almost Crazy Horse grit that would take on a new life completely with some more affected vocals.  Far from a flaw, that’s simply a testament to the versatility of the addictive melodies and excellent musicianship on display.  As it stands the delivery is so warm, laid-back and inviting that it’s hard not to feel relaxed with each listen (see “Better Than Reality” for a great example of a catchy song that gets in your head and leaves tranquility in its wake).

Light some candles, run a bath—do whatever it is you do to unwind—and let the seductive melodies and halcyon vocals massage your mental ailments.

Belleisle - Talks a Lot

Construction and Destruction - The Volume Wars

Stripped down and raw, this sophomore release from the Port Greville, Nova Scotia duo picks up where their highly enjoyable debut, Homebodies, left off.  Moreover, while I took issue with the shear length of their debut (my only problem with the album), The Volume Wars clocks in at an easily digestible 38:01—a great length to inspire repeated listens.

One of the more interesting aspects of The Volume Wars is the duo’s vocal dichotomy. David Trenaman’s delivery dances between gentle (“Wanted To Go”) and restrained intensity (“Pool in the Snow”) while the vocals of Colleen Collins are endearingly off-kilter and understated. The resulting experience is a varied listen that is greatly in contrast to the serene tones of the previously mentioned Belleisle.

Sparse, unkempt and challenging, Construction and Destruction are a band you can count on to craft tunes that don’t demand to be liked—and in some cases don’t even sound as though they want to be. That inherent independence on its own is enough to endear them to me and the great songs seal the deal.

Construction and Destruction - Pillar of Stone

Woodpigeon - Treasury Library Canada

This album marks my personal introduction to Woodpigeon and you can rest assured that I’ll be back for more. Layered, lush and smooth, Treasury Library Canada is an undeniably  full listen from start to finish.  Sure, it’s long—the album’s 14 tracks combine to almost an hour of straight tunes—but when the result is this enjoyable I can’t really complain.

Not only is Treasury Library Canada a great listen, but it also contains one of my favourite song titles: “In the Battle of Sun vs. Curtains, Sun Loses and We Sleep Until Noon” (maybe it’s just because it tells the tale of my lazy life, but I enjoy it nonetheless). It’s also a song that exemplifies how a good portion of the album reminds me of everything I like about the Grateful Dead.

Large in length, smooth in execution and brimming with rich accompaniment, Treasury Library Canada is an undeniably full release that easily justifies repeated listens—an extra thick sonic milkshake that’ll keep you coming back for more.

Woodpigeon - Knock Knock

—