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George Ezra - Cassy O'

By now you have probably heard George Ezra's incredible voice telling you he would leave it all in Budapest, but I am here to assure you that he is no one hit wonder. At only 21, and a UK native, his voice has an unbelievable amount of power behind it.

His folk rhythms are balanced by a blues voice, and the combination is perfection. He lists Bob Dylan as one of his influences, and in Barcelona he makes reference to Boots of Spanish Leather. 

He will be touring with Hozier in 2015 and I recommend getting tickets while you still can.

- Twon

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I often wonder if there is life after Gossip Girl as I watch numerous episodes on Netflix to escape the exam stress. The lives of our favourite Upper-East siders give me hope. Blake Lively has gone to marry Ryan Reynolds and is soon to make one of the most beautiful babies ever, Leighton Meester has made great music that has pulled on our heartstrings Taylor Momsen is now pretty reckless and little ole lonely boy isn’t so lonely any more. So let’s get to the good stuff shall we?

Penn Badgley has outdone Queen B and S by making music that inspires baby making. His group Mothxr has sultry tunes such as the new hit Stranger and the old classic Easy. Jimmy, Darren, Simon and Penn (as simply stated on their Facebook page) are Brooklyn Boys that start the song writing process with a beat. Adding an electronic sexy sound with instruments including drums, guitar and the like it fits perfectly together like a puzzle. Enjoy this sweet tune on a chill december weekend.  

Xoxo... Gossip Girl 

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Episode 3, Hawaiian Donuts

http://www.cfru.ca/recordings/234

Thanks for the donut love Stacey Sexton / http://sxtn.4ormat.com/

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The Donut Shop, E2. Family Value Pack http://cfru.ca/recordings/234 Photo by Jacklyn Barber http://jacklynbarber.tumblr.com/

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Sabres (Toast Dawg Remix) - Caracol

In the beginning there was a simple song, then came an album, finally a group and of course groupies then finally a record company! (Disclaimer: I do not know exact history of music, it is like the chicken-egg conundrum) However, from listening to hit tunes I’ve grown to listen to artists entire albums and am expanding even further to the record company! 

Record labels are a great source for great music! Young Money anyone? From DJ Khaled and Jae millz to Nicki Minaj, Drake and of course Lil Wayne. In similar fashion Montreal indie label Indica has Half Moon Run, Phantogram and Caracol. They have a supa cool collaboration project with three amazing Canadian artists, using Caracol’s song and voice with DJ Toast Dawg’s mixing and images from Pascal Picard this video is definitely an experience! It is truly a unique work of art, the mixing of the beats matching the erasing of the images, the drawings eerily coming to life. Three minds are definitely better than one and provide great change. 

So enjoy a new batch of donuts from the bakery, and save a maple one for me!  

-Kit

P.S. For those interested the original tune is pretty awesome too!

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Sylvan Esso - HSKT

I first heard about Sylvan Esso from a friend this past summer. With an electropop sound, the duo consists of Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn. Meath provides the vocals while Sanborn focuses on the hypnotic beats. 

This track in particular highlights the underlying drums by building the layers leading to the chorus. There we hear the repetition of "my head and shoulders, knees and toes" a phrase many of us grew up with. It is this ability to change the monotonous into an addictive dance track that makes their sound so original. Their debut namesake album is filled with the subtle sexiness of a repetitive beat and a husky voice.

- Twon

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MNDSGN - Camelblues

After numerous projects, collabs and throw away beats, MNDSGN has finally released his record label debut "Yawn Zen" on Stones Throw. Waking up, going to sleep and everything in between; this album captures the sounds of stillness we often overlook. 

Taking Macklemore's Thrift Shop idea to new levels, MNDSGN decides to take the passive route to his music video and simply sing and play the keys. Reflecting the vibes to the video, Camelblues is a chill/laid back instrumental with even softer vocals. With not much percussion or instrumentation, MNDSGN is able to create the feeling of complete bliss. 

If you're digging Camelblues, you will definitely enjoy the entire album. It's more hip hop influenced but still worth a listen.

- Otis

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Rival Boys - Don't Bloom

I good friend of mine introduced me to a slick Toronto based rock trio called Rival Boys back when I was in my first year of University, since then they have held a special place on my iTunes as one of my favourite local artists. The band consists of brother sister combo Graeme and Lee Rose on guitar, vocals, bass and violin while Sam Sholdice fills out (pardon the pun) the threesome on drums. They released a strong debut EP in 2009 titled Life of Worry that encapsulated their grimy, grungy edge which they thankfully have yet to diverge from. 

After releasing a quality LP in 2011, they returned to the studio and recorded what I believe to be their best work yet. Animal Instincts is clearly their most polished project thus far in terms of production value, and their sound is as tight as ever. This ten track album consists of classic Rival Boys grungy garage rock married to Lee's angelic vocals, a common characteristic of RB songs that compliment each other so charmingly. The second last track on the album is called 'Don't Bloom' and is lyrically my favourite Rival Boys song, there's just something magical about lyrically rudimentary songwriting that does it for me. 

Happy listening

- keegs

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The Family Rain - Tarantula

Revival of blues and psychedelia is too often dampened by overproduction and the use of hackneyed effects. But when a band breaks through this archetype it can be a really amazing experience. English outfit The Family Rain seem to have taken this notion in stride with their 2014 releases. Building on the success garnered from their 2012 single, ‘Trust Me…I’m A Genius’, they released their first full length album back in January. Blending in flavours of The White Stripes and early Black Keys, the three-piece put out ten tracks of no-frills, riff-driven rock. They followed up promptly, putting out a four song EP titled Hunger Sauce last June. In the wake of their previous release it seems like the Rain have tapped into something more cerebral— most notably on the track ‘Tarantula’. To me, this tune marks a clear evolution from their debut. But if there’s one thing to take away from this it’s that lo-fidelity is the realm wherein revival rock thrives. If artists like the The War on Drugs and Mac DeMarco have shown us anything it’s that shirking modern production norms can result in something remarkable. This track is no exception. Warm guitar sounds power vocals unhindered by an excess of auto-tune or reverb. It’s hard to describe, but the stripped down approach really brings out heart in the way that a fine-tuned mix can’t. Less really can be more.

- Alexander 

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Deerhunter - Desire Lines

Woah, good to be back. It’s been about four months since I last sat down to formulate one of these things, which has given me a shit ton of time to check out the new and revisit the old in regards to my music listening agenda. Some new stuff I’ve gotten into over the past few months specifically is the new FKA Twigs record released earlier in August, which if you haven’t checked out yet, woahhh crazy…probably do that maybe if you want (it's amazing). One of the albums I revisited throughout the summer was Animal Collectives Merriweather Post Pavilion, a record that I’ve, like many of you I'm sure, been high on since its release. While consciously absorbed in it’s delicious obscurities, I observed through precise reconnaissance practice (wtf?) that Ben Allen had been one of the masterminds behind the recording process. For those wondering, Ben Allen is a reputable producer, sound technician, engineer and mixer who has his fingerprints on some top-notch work created by artists by the likes of Cee Lo Green, Biggie Smalls, M.I.A., and the group who recorded the track provided up there (^), Deerhunter.

At the conclusion of my round about melodic expedition, I happened upon a personal favourite of mine, Deerhunter’s Halcyon Digest. It is such a cohesive album, one that tends to be revered as their most impressive recording to date. The track “Desire Lines” is one of the many memorable songs on this record, as it faithfully retains elements of their classic shoegaze ambient pop make-up amidst a punctuated spacey yet descending guitar riff. How nice.

I find that learning more about personal favourites has its way of introducing you to new and exciting artists, no doubt, but sometimes we forget the simple pleasure of revisiting something that once provided such elation.

Happy listening

 - keegs

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Queen + King - Foreign Diplomats

Back to school!! It’s craziness, we never have enough time but then we have too much time. In my time I find my mind wandering to summer and this band Foreign Diplomats. I went to the Expo excited to see Half Moon Run because they were super sique at Osheaga however, I had to wait through the opening act. The warm up, the beginning, the newbies, the frosh of the music world.

What I found was myself loving this new band; getting lost in the moment, this new musical adventure was amazing. The diplomats feel the same way, stating on their Facebook "Music makes us feel like we’re flying to an unknown land. This is our reason to live. The magic that dances around us when we play keeps us going …” and in their native language because french is cool, "La musique nous donne la sensation de nous envoler vers un monde inconnu. C’est pour cela qu’elle est notre raison de vivre. La magie qui danse autour de nous lorsque nous jouons nous pousse à continuer…"

You know newbies do have their advantages, when jamming out to "She Wants to Know" I recognized the guy trying to get to the front to meet up with his friends, oh my gosh it was the trombone player! Watching Half Moon Run with a member from the opening act, well he was with his girlfriend but I feel we were all enjoying it together via the beauty of moshing, definitely makes an even bigger fan. After the show Foreign Diplomats hung out and took pictures at merch.

So while you enjoy the main attraction don’t forget to enjoy the little things. Take some time from studying for midterms — seriously where does time go! — and enjoy this terrific tune.

-Kit

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Easy - Cro

I’ll take German Rap Songs for $1000 Alex. It is the debut single by the panda mask toting rapper Cro released online in 2011 and the featured single of his debut album Raop in 2013. What is ‘Easy’? To Cro beats are easy, partying like a rockstar is easy, getting girls is easy. Cleverly using the word ‘easy’ with so many different meanings, easy-peasy!

Now for final jeopardy. The song inspires independence and personal ambition through the changes seen. Once lounging around inside becomes chilling in the great outdoors as what’s easy becomes sunny. What is ‘Kit’s reasoning for loving this song’? 

Ungetrübten Hörgenuss.

-Kit

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Jet - Move On

I'm going to be honest with you guys, I discovered this song from one of my friends "get in the mood" (you know what I mean) playlists and instantly fell in love. I'm not sure if it's the warm acoustic chords or the natural tone of the Cester brothers but I always go back to this song for when I'm on some downtime or a long road trip. 

For many of you this may be something old but for some of you I'm hoping it's a new favourite. Take some time and listen to something other than "Are You Gonna Be My Girl."

- Otis

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Folly & The Hunter - Ghost

Thanks to Apps like Shazam, it has become really easy to find songs once you hear them in TV shows or movies. I first heard Folly & The Hunter on the show Rookie Blue. "Ghost" has a soft yet upbeat sound to it, despite lyrics that claim otherwise.

Much of their 2013 album Tragic Care was inspired by loss and pain. While they are able to portray these feelings, they are also talented at drawing out the beauty. It is a multidimensional expression of what sadness looks like, and although it might not be your go-to summer song, it definitely deserves a listen.

- Twon

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Shovels & Rope - Birmingham 

Sometimes a band just knows how to sound like summer. This married duo, consisting of Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent, manage to perfectly blend a southern sound with a rock core. Originally joining together as solo acts, the duo has proved its staying power with a third album coming out in August. Accepting the moniker Shovels & Rope from their first compilation, they released their second album O' Be Joyful in 2012.

"Birmingham" highlights Cary Ann's huskier voice and Michael supplies additional support both vocally and instrumentally. Give it a listen and add it to your summer playlist.

- Twon

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DL Incognito - 90 Degrees

It’s summer, just listen to the music and enjoy!

[fromthedonutshop]

Girls - Vomit

Before last night, I hadn’t listened to “Vomit” since June of last year, according to iTunes at least. I found myself humming the chorus part ‘looking for loooove’ but it took me a fair bit to deduce where it came from. The particular line is so explosive within the song that it demands to be remembered, or at least worm its way into your ear.

Thanks to “Vomit”, I’ve been revisiting Girls’ fantastic, but short discography. The duo of Christopher Owens and JR White disbanded in 2012, while Owens has since released a solo album (I haven’t listened to it, but I swear I will). Much like rock & roll revivalists Foxygen, Girls’ albums play as a sort of history and evolution of various genres of rock. Their final album, Father, Son, Holy Ghost has everything from Beach Boys-sounding surf rock with “Honey Bunny” to the visceral “Die”, which nods to Black Sabbath. However, “Vomit”, the epic centerpiece of Father, Son, Holy Ghost towers over the rest of their discography. Every bit of the song is perfectly executed, with Floyd-esque gospel choir soaring in at the right moments, appropriately long guitar bits and crushing organ towards the end of the track. It is perhaps one of the best sounding songs I’ve heard, even if it is a tad depressing. But what did you expect from a song titled “Vomit”?

- Gordy