A DOWNBEAT CHRISTMAS
A few sobering songs as we face the holiday season with some trepidation and an imposed isolation
BECAUSE OF A FLOWER BY ANA ROXANNE
Deep musical background and the ambiguity of gender inform a confident, ambient sound
A SONG FOR TROUBLED TIMES
Sharon von Etten issues her quarantine version of (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding made famous by Elvis Costello and penned by his producer and fellow 70s new waver Nick Lowe
FRAZEY FORD: THIS IS MY PLAYLIST
The Vancouver-based musician takes her turn hosting the CBC Radio show
BACKXWASH WINS THE 2020 POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE
The winning album – God Has Nothing To Do With This Leave Him Out Of It – makes her the first transgender artist to take the prize
WITCH PROPHET
“A soundscape of vocal layers, loops, raps and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop, jazz and soul-inspired beats.”
THE MODERN FILIPINO SOUND OF PANTAYO
The queer, diasporic Filipinas call their sound lo fi R&B gong punk
KAYTRANADA’S BUBBA
Bubba is the artist’s second album nominated for the Polaris Music Prize. His 2016 debut album, 99.9% won the award that year
