It’s not shocking that a lot of recent releases sound like they’re steeped in nostalgia. Even pre-pandemic, the Internet hadn’t let go of 2016’s “Controlla” summer, so it only makes sense that after a year of non-stop change, we’re chasing our pre-quar glory by conjuring the serene summer abandon that last year lacked.
From Olivia Rodrigo’s early aughts pop-punk vibe to Saweetie’s samples, these nods to the past bring us back to how things used to be (for 3 minutes at a time). But this summer will be all about setting our sights on what’s to come and settling into a new normal. It’s unclear what that will look like, but this month Canadian acts have given us a hint at how it’ll sound. From Charlotte Day Wilson’s soulful new single to Bambii’s futuristic dancehall track with Beam, these are the tracks setting the tone for the summer of the vax.
Bambii f/ Beam, "Truck Riddim"
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In the long-awaited follow-up to her nocturnal 2019 debut “Nitevision”, Bambii teams up with Beam for a track that she calls “dancehall for the future”. In an Instagram caption, Bambii shared that “Truck Riddim” was conceived during a six-month stay in Jamaica, where she spent her time developing her sound and honing her skills. Over a hypnotic instrumental fusing dancehall riddims with electronic elements, the DJ-turned-producer furthers her foray into the genre with a track that will surely be a set fixture when nightlife resumes. —Sumiko Wilson
Mustafa, "The Hearse"
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Driven by his signature poeticism, Mustafa’s debut album When Smoke Rises is a requiem, both literally (the title is an homage to the late rapper Smoke Dawg) and figuratively. On “The Hearse,” his fourth single and the album’s fourth track, he leans into the ebb and flow of grief over a poignant, pared down beat co-produced by Frank Dukes, Simon On The Moon, and Jamie XX. —Sumiko Wilson
Jon Vinyl, "Told You"
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“Told You” is a song that examines the puzzle pieces of heartbreak with an abundance of care. Jon Vinyl sings about making mistakes in a past relationship, and the resulting journey of self-repair. He emotes about trying to let go and look inwards, reflecting on his role in a challenging breakup while still processing his feelings. “Sorry for my actions, how about we hit the mattress?” he quips. —Natalie Harmsen
Skiifall, "Bentayga Dust"
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Just as he asserted with his debut single “Ting Tun Up Part II” earlier this year, on “Bentayga Dust’’ Montreal rapper Skiifall’s flow is more reminiscent of UK grime than his Canadian contemporaries. Tightly rhythmic and melodic, it’s easy to trace the Caribbean influence in his sound, too. Over an ominous instrumental with looped choral-sounding vocals, the NDG rapper maintains his momentum on the Xav Leon-produced track. —Sumiko Wilson
Young Clancy & Adrian Dey, "Saucy"
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The only gripe you’ll have with “Saucy” is that it’s way too short. Over bouncy production from Toronto beatmaker Young Clancy, Brampton emcee Adrian Dey embodies sauce in all of its forms—narrating a tipsy encounter (“Took a little drink now I feel a little sauce”) and giving a braggadocious breakdown of his fit (“Two chains bouncing on my neck one on one”). Though it clocks in under 90 seconds, our fingers are crossed that we’ll be treated to a full-length version. —Sumiko Wilson
Charlotte Day Wilson, "If I Could"
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“If I Could” showcases Charlotte Day Wilson’s smooth voice in the best way possible. With echoing, layered vocals, the track features minimal instrumentation and lets the harmonies take center stage. It lets listeners swim in the emotional, passionate ballad to really understand Wilson’s saviour mindset. The gospel-inspired flavour also gives the melancholy R&B single a warm touch of soulfulness. —Natalie Harmsen
KILLY, "RICK BOOTS"
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The moody, crackling single “RICK BOOTS” from Toronto’s KILLY shows that he is always doing the opposite of what we expect. The track is a wild ode to the rapper’s well-known love of Rick Owens footwear: “Rick boots, size ten (Ricky), they untied too,” he raps. It’s the latest release from his new project, KILLSTREAK 2, which is out now. —Natalie Harmsen
Allie, "Tides"
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Allie’s latest offering sounds like many creatives’ internal dialogue. In each verse, the Toronto singer cycles between feelings of self doubt, questions about her self-worth, and finally floats into self-assurance. The smooth, breezy chorus uses aquatic iconography to give a pep talk of sorts, with lyrics like “I’m wading in deeper water” and “Made mistakes but they gon’ wash off.” —Sumiko Wilson
Shad f/ Skratch Bastid, "Work"
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Shad’s second single of the year does not miss. Using a thundering drum sample from We Are The City, he ponders the relentless culture of work and the toxicity of the hustle. The incendiary, genre-bending track gets an assist from DJ Skratch Bastid and together, the two create a bold wakeup call that hits home for anyone struggling to keep grinding during this pandemic. —Natalie Harmsen
Idman, "RISK: The Revelations Track 1"
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Idman season is upon us. At first glance, it’s unclear what the Toronto singer is up to, but after doing a little digging, we can infer that her EP rollout is underway. The first step is a cryptic thirty-second drop where the burgeoning R&B songstress traipses around a dimly-lit warehouse while the first verse of last year’s debut single “Down For It” plays in the background. Premiering the clip on Instagram, Idman described it as “An introduction. With a promise. First to myself. Then to you.” It’s hard to get a substantial feel for what’s to come, but between the smooth sound of “Down For It,” the moody tone of her new visuals, and the space opera-esque graphics for the upcoming project it’s an exciting step towards a promising debut. —Sumiko Wilson
