http://basiabulat.com/

With her fourth album Basia Bulat wanted to take a risk, make a change, go somewhere new. Bulat shuffled off to a new and strange city to record (Louisville, Kentucky), expanded her musical palette well beyond her signature autoharp (including generous dollops of organ and keys) and teamed up with new and unfamiliar musicians to make her breakup record.

It seems to have worked. Good advice has earned has her new audiences well beyond her folk. But perhaps the greatest benefit was the earned experience and groweth born of risky move that pays off.

One can only wonder what her next move will be. It can't come soon enough.
| By Magnus Thyvold

Weeks at no.1: Apr 5, 2016 | Mar 29, 2016 | Mar 22, 2016 | Mar 15, 2016 | Mar 8, 2016 | Mar 1, 2016 | Feb 23, 2016 |

http://badbadnotgood.com/

2016 saw BADBADNOTGOOD officially welcome long-time collaborator, saxophonist Leland Whitty into the cadre.  He joins Matthew Tavares, Chester Hansen and Alexander Sowinski for the release of the album IV. In BBNG fashion, the quartet have been exploring beyond the pale, leaving any previous expectations we may have had of the group unraveled. 

With IV the boys have welcomed some guests - vocalists, rappers, musicians and DJ’s, demonstrating their ease with continued inventiveness while in a more supporting role.  The collaboration with Future Islands frontman Sam Herring on “Time Moves Slow” has an unobstructed, almost organic sound.  It’s a fitting backdrop to Herring’s raspy voiced ballad.  Then there’s the silky, “In Your Eyes” with Toronto’s Charlotte Day Good.  They’re back into some familiar stomping grounds on “Lavender” with master texturizer, DJ Kaytranada and rapper Mick Jenkins with “Hyssop of Love” where BBNG has a unique ability to permeate the words with their wispy, edgeless sound.

There are plenty of instrumental shenanigans going on as well with strings and flutes abound.  You’ll want to strap in for the head on collision with saxophone maestro Colin Stetson on “Confessions, Pt. II”.  It’s intense to say the least and is one of the longer songs on the album.  Put all these features together with some fine jazz wig outs, and you have IV. 

By interlacing their musical ideas with concepts from other artists BADBADNOTGOOD have produced a more crystalline sound.  You can hear all four members take part in the development of it. Who knows what BBNG will do next, but rest assured it’s not going to be what you think. .
| By Shelley Gummeson

Weeks at no.1: Sep 20, 2016 | Sep 13, 2016 | Aug 30, 2016 | Aug 23, 2016 | Aug 16, 2016 | Aug 9, 2016 | Aug 2, 2016 | Jul 26, 2016 | Jul 19, 2016 |

http://napeyes.bandcamp.com/

These Halagonian slacker rockers are anything but.  This four piece is now stretched a bit further geographically - Drummer Seamus Dalton, lead guitarist Brad Loughead and bassist Josh Salter now live in Montreal while frontman Nigel Chapman remains in Halifax. Their music is catchy and soothing, littered with intellectual references.  Their debut album, Whine of the Mystics independently released in 2014 was re-released by You’ve Changed Records in Canada in 2015 (Paradise of Bachelors, USA).  Their 2016 release, Thought Rock Fish Scale launched Nap Eyes into the ears of a legion of new fans.  The album was long listed for the Polaris Prize.  Their live show is honest and engaging - with Chapman thanking his audience sincerely, and singing his heart out- look for them in 2017.
| By Erin Flynn

Weeks at no.1: Feb 16, 2016 |

http://www.grimesmusic.com/

Grimes has moved beyond the world of just music stardom. It is not just music fans and the music press who want her but the fashion world, celebrity mags, major newpapers. Maybe it is because she is a true original. Her music is catchy and accessible yet a bit weird, kinda off-kilter and original. And she makes it looks easy. Perhaps, for her, it is. She didn't even start making music until university and just kinda fell into it. After her last record, there was some sniping from some musicians about her lack of training and not having paid dues. But Art Angels proves what was already apparent then: no amount of sour grapes are going to slow her down.
Technically, Art Angels is a 2015 record released at the of the year but it entered 2016 as the No.1 record on !earshot and continued to chart. At just 27, Grimes has a long career ahead of her ands that is good news for the rest of us.
(Only her 2016 chart appearances counted towards her position on the 2016 Top 200)
| By Magnus Thyvold

Weeks at no.1: Jan 19, 2016 | Jan 12, 2016 | Jan 5, 2016 | Dec 15, 2015 | Dec 8, 2015 | Dec 1, 2015 |

http://www.blackmountainarmy.com/

Vancouver's Black Mountain return to the scene after 5 years with a psychedelic masterpiece - the aptly named IV. Though the album has all the trappings of a classic, stoner-rock record - languid melodies, heavy guitar riffs, lots of wah wah pedal, hypnotic drones, and epic solos - the band offers a little something more with their latest effort. The greater emphasis on synths, the lyrical imagery, and the mesmerizing harmonies between vocalists Amber Webber & Stephen McBean lend this album much of its spacey vibes, so it sounds both vintage and futuristic at once. Webber's distinctive voice also helps to anchor the band's own identity, separating them from all the rest.  With IV, Black Mountain takes what might've been a typical psychedelic rock album, adds their own unique flavour, and then hurls it into space.
| By Alexandra Rimmington

Weeks at no.1: May 17, 2016 | May 10, 2016 | May 3, 2016 | Apr 26, 2016 | Apr 19, 2016 | Apr 12, 2016 |

http://thepackad.com/

Upon hearing their music, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Vancouver's The Pack A.D. consisted of more than just two members. But singer/guitarist Becky Black and drummer Maya Miller have earned a reputation over the years for creating powerful garage rock songs together, with a heavy sound that rivals any 5-piece band. And Positive Thinking, their sixth studio album, is no different in this regard.  The duo continues to trade much of their earlier blues influences for melodic punk, and they keep the fuzzed-out guitars, driving beats, mighty vocals, and pop hooks that their listeners have come to expect. Yet the lyrics on Positive Thinking are their most personal to date - exploring darker matters like alienation, grief, and depression with a sincere and sometimes humorous approach.  The end result is a highly listenable, meaty album that you can definitely sink your teeth into.
| By Alexandra Rimmington

Weeks at no.1: Oct 4, 2016 | Sep 27, 2016 | Sep 6, 2016 |

http://www.andyshauf.com/

Growing up in the small town of Estevan, Saskatchewan, Andy Shauf had access to all kinds of instruments through his parent’s music & electronics store.  From his early beginnings playing Christian music with his family, Shauf developed into a talented song writer and multi-instrumentalist.  He always had the ability to captivate a room - now those rooms are sold out.  Since 2009,  Shauf has released two full length albums and two eps independently before The Bearer of Bad News (2012) caught people’s attention and Andy was signed to Arts & Crafts and Anti in 2015.  His 2016 release, a concept album called The Party was received with high praise making its way onto the Polaris Prize shortlist.  With the backing of two labels, thousands of fans and a move to the big smoke, Shauf remains focussed on making great music.
| By Erin Flynn

Weeks at no.1: Jul 12, 2016 | Jun 28, 2016 |

http://www.electricpowwow.com/

The late poet, Santee Dakota activist, and former chair of the American Indian Movement, John Trudell opens A Tribe Called Red`s third and latest recording with these words: `We are the tribe that they cannot see. We live on an industrial reservation. We are the Halluci Nation.” Band members Ian "DJ NDN" Campeau (of the Nipissing First Nation), Tim "2oolman" Hill (Mohawk, of the Six Nations of the Grand River) and Bear Witness (of the Cayuga First Nation) have always been inspired by Trudell`s activism, and they were able to get him into the studio before he died of cancer in 2015.

Trudell is one of a number of stellar special guests featured on the record: rapper Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), Polaris Prize winner Tanya Tagaq,  Colombian visual artist and musician Lido Pimienta, Australian aboriginal band OKA, Sami singer Maxida Marak, and alternative hip hop poet Saul Williams round out the album.

Tribe shares this statement on their webpage: ``A Tribe Called Red promotes inclusivity, empathy and acceptance amongst all races and genders in the name of social justice. They believe that indigenous people need to define their identity on their own terms. If you share this vision, then you are already part of the Halluci Nation."
| By Catherine Fisher

Weeks at no.1: Dec 20, 2016 | Dec 13, 2016 | Dec 6, 2016 | Nov 1, 2016 | Oct 25, 2016 | Oct 18, 2016 | Oct 11, 2016 |

http://tanyatagaq.com/

Cambridge Bay-born musician Tanya Tagaq continues to push boundaries with her fourth studio album, Retribution, released in October 2016. Retribution features the work of a fantastic array of musicians, notably her core team, violinist and super-producer Jesse Zubot (who is responsible for arrangements and mixes) and percussionist Jean Martin, with important supporting roles played by Mongolian throat singer Radik Tyulyush, Inuit singer Ruben Komangapik, rapper Shad, and the Element Choir, a 50-person improvisational choir directed by Toronto-based singer, Christine Duncan. Retribution opens with ``Ajaaja``, sung by Tagaq`s four year old daughter, Inuuja, who is joined by Iqaluit singer Ruben Komangapik singing a traditional Inuit naming song.

As with Tagaq`s previous albums, Retribution deals with tough subjects: CBC Producer Holly Gordon calls it `an album about rape — of women, of the land,`` and journalist Andrea Warner, says that Tagaq, who now lives in Toronto, ``uses her voice, body and art to challenge the patriarchy, white supremacy and colonization.`` Tagaq was recently named to the Order of Canada for her "contributions to Canadian culture through her avant-garde Inuit throat singing."
| By Catherine Fisher

Weeks at no.1: Nov 22, 2016 | Nov 15, 2016 | Nov 8, 2016 |

http://www.wintersleep.com/

After a four year break that some thought my really be a break-up, Wintersleep returned with a roar with The Great Detachment. Marking something of a fresh start. but also building on continuity, the record reunites band members, Paul Murphy, Loel Campbell (drummer) and Tim D’eon (guitarist) with producer Tony Doogan. Mostly recorded live off the floor in Halifax. The record also includes a guest bass line provided by Canadian rock icon Geddy Lee. Lead single “Amerika” scored a Canadian N0.1 and the album spent X week at the top of the !earshot National Top 50. All together, a good year for Wintersleep.
| By Magnus Thyvold