AIMEE-JO BENOIT
HORNS OF HOPE
Chronograph Records
CD / Digital
Comprised of jazz covers of songs by Canadian icons including Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and Daniel Lanois.
aimeejobenoit.com

ARETHA TILLOTSON
INTRODUCING ARETHA TILLOTSON
Bent River Records
CD / Digital
The Edmonton bassist’s album was inspired by interviews she conducted with female musicians about their experiences at art institutions for her masters thesis in Berklee’s Global Jazz program.
arethatillotson.com

AUDREY OCHOA
THE HEAD OF A MOUSE
Chronograph Records
CD / Digital
Written during the isolation of the pandemic, the album was subsequently recorded live- off-the-floor in a celebratory post-lockdown session. Ochoa was the recipient of the 2018 Edmonton Music Prize.
audreyochoa.ca

BLUE MOON MARQUEE
NEW ORLEANS SESSIONS
Self-released
Vinyl / CD / Digital
The album of original songs and tunes from the early 1900s was recorded without overdubs in Louisiana using vintage gear.
bluemoonmarquee.com

THE BRENAN BROTHERS
VALLEY OF SILENCE
Self-released
Digital
The Alberta twins mix original compositions with arrangements of 1970s jazz legends such as Woody Shaw.

DANIEL JANKE WINTER TRIO
AVAILABLE LIGHT
Chronograph Records
CD / Digital
The Edmonton-born pianist formed this trio after meeting the other members at a residency in rural France.
wintertrio.com

DAVID LAVOIE & CARSON TWOROW
TEARDOWN
Inner Ocean Records
Vinyl / Cassette / Digital
The duo wrote this as a response to heritage homes being replaced by bigger, newer and more complex buildings, using both jazz tradition and electronic beats.
davidlavoiemusic.com

ELLEN DOTY
EVERY LITTLE SCENE
Slow Weather Music
Digital
Doty has toured the world, from her hometown Edmonton to Tokyo. Her latest was written and recorded during her pregnancy and early parenthood.
ellendoty.com

GINGER BEEF
SELF-TITLED
Chinese Firedrill Records
CD / Digital
The jazz-influenced instrumental pop of Ginger Beef is the brainchild of the couple at the centre of the project: classically-trained flautist JiaJia Li and Warren (MSG) Tse, the current organist for the Calgary Flames.
gingerbeefband.com

HUTCHINSON ANDREW TRIO
THE SENATOR: A TRIBUTE TO TOMMY BANKS
Chronograph Records
Vinyl / CD / Digital
A nod to Banks, a Juno award winner and recipient of both the Alberta Order of Excellence and the Order of Canada.
hatjazz.com

JOEL JESCHKE
TIME & PLACE
Self-released
Vinyl / CD / Digital
The debut jazz album from the drummer for indie rock band Whale and the Wolf.
joeljeschkedrums.com

LUIS TOVAR
STORM (FEAT. SABRINA NAZ)
Chronograph Records
Digital
The Juno-nominated percussionist from Venezuela moved to Alberta 18 years ago. He continues to blend Afro-Caribbean and Canadian musical styles.
instagram.com/luisdreadlocks

THE MACEWAN GENERATIONS BIG BAND
THE LONG VIEW
Bent River Records
CD
Ensemble band of faculty, alumni and current students of the music department at MacEwan University.

MONTUNO WEST
RAÍCES
Bent River Records
Vinyl / CD
The Calgary-based group is as influenced by jazz as by the percussion of Afro-Caribbean, Venezuelan and Brazilian styles.
montunowest.com

REDLINE TRIO
UNDERDOG
Chronograph Records
Vinyl / Digital
The band honed their chops with a weekly residency at a Calgary speakeasy before recording this album of original compositions.
instagram.com/TheRedlineTrio

RUBIM DE TOLEDO
THE DRIP
Self-released
Digital
The Brazilian-Canadian composer explores jazz, Afrobeat and tropical sounds.
rubim.com

THE WAY BACK WHENS
LIVE AT THE YARDBIRD SUITE
Chronograph Records
Vinyl / CD / Digital
Edmonton’s celebrated jazz musicians play lively “brand- new old-fashioned” music inspired by Louis Armstrong and Django Reinhardt.

CORB LUND
EL VIEJO
New West Records
Vinyl / CD / Digital
The Taber-born, Juno award- winning singer-songwriter’s latest album is dedicated to the late, great Ian Tyson. It’s a stripped-down affair, featuring acoustic instruments and songs with the classic country tropes of gamblers and outlaws, released on the New West Records label, home to Kris Kristofferson, Steve Earle and Los Lobos.
corblund.com

THE HELLO DARLINS
THE ALDERS & THE ASHES
Continental Song City
Vinyl / CD / Digital
The Americana band’s follow- up to their 2021 debut is an ambitious 17-song double album produced by Ross Hogarth, who has worked with R.E.M., John Cougar Mellencamp and Hall & Oates.
thehellodarlins.com

JAMES KEELAGHAN
SECOND HAND
Borealis Records
CD / Digital
Ten new songs from the Juno and Canadian Folk Music award-winning baritone. This, his 13th album, is a mix of the personal and the political.
keelaghan.com

JUSTINE VANDERGRIFT
MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME
Self-released
CD / Digital
Based out of Cochrane, Vandergrift should be a familiar face to attendees of Alberta folk festivals. Her newest is a collection of traditional folk and country songcraft, honky-tonk and blues.
justinevandergrift.com

MARIEL BUCKLEY
EVERYWHERE I USED TO BE
Birthday Cake Records
Vinyl / CD / Digital
Produced by Marcus Paquin, who has worked with some of indie rock’s biggest bands, Arcade Fire and The National. The choice is appropriate, with the album pushing the boundaries of folk with instrumentation, subject matter and exploration of identity.
marielbuckley.com

MATT MASTERS
BURGENER
Self-released
Digital
Matt Burgener is a musician, author, mental health advocate and entrepreneur. One of the seven songs on this album, “How Many Days Until Tomorrow,” has become an unexpected viral hit. Its video features photography by Terrance Houle.
mattmasters.ca

REUBEN AND THE DARK
IN LIEU OF LIGHT
Arts & Crafts
Vinyl / CD / Digital
The band mixes soft-spoken and pensive lyrics with bombastic, communal choruses. The album features collaborations with the Bullhorn Singers of the Kainai Nation, who have since become a more official addition to the group.
reubenandthedark.com

RIFLE COUNTY PLAYERS
ON A DAY LIKE ANY OTHER
Self-released
Digital
Made up of punk and post- punk veterans and started as an experiment to get outside of band members’ comfort zone, they have become mainstays of the Alberta folk scene.
instagram.com/the.rifle.county.players

SHAELA MILLER
AFTER THE MASQUERADE
Neon Moon Records
Vinyl / CD / Digital
The Lethbridge-based singer- songwriter made waves winning the $100,000+ prize from Wild 95.3’s Project WILD contest and having songs featured on CBC’s Heartland and HBO’s True Blood.
shaelamiller.com

SHANE GHOSTKEEPER
SONGS FOR MY PEOPLE
Victory Pool
Vinyl / Digital
While known for genre-defying indie rock as Ghostkeeper, this album is a tribute to the country music he absorbed
in northern Alberta Métis communities. It was longlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, an award given to the best full- length Canadian album, based on artistic merit.
instagram.com/ghostkeepermusic

SISTER RAY
COMMUNION
Royal Mountain Records
Vinyl / CD / Digital
Ella Coyes cut her teeth playing largely improvisational sets that mixed gospel, indie rock and folk music before releasing her debut album. Longlisted for the Polaris Music Prize.
sisterraymusic.com

SKINNY DYCK
EASYGOING
Victory Pool
Vinyl / CD / Digital
“Country-but-not” is a term often used to describe the Lethbridge musician’s sound, which leans heavily into distinctive vocals, twangy guitars and pedal steel.
skinnydyck.com

TENILLE TOWNES
MASQUERADES
Columbia Nashville / RCA
CD / Digital
At the age of 17 Townes was nominated for the Canadian Country Music Award for Female Artist of the Year.
tenilletownes.com

WYATT C. LOUIS
CHANDLER
Royal Mountain Records
Vinyl / CD / Digital
Despite this being his debut album, the nêhiyaw artist has already compiled an impressive résumé including performing with the CPO and at Alberta festivals and being the subject of a mini-documentary.
wyattclouis.com

CINDY LEE
DIAMOND JUBILEE
Realistik / W.25th / Superior Viaduct
Vinyl / CD / Digital
This experimental pop project has defied expectations. First released only on YouTube at a Geocities web link, awareness of this album spread by word of mouth. Shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, the album received Pitchfork’s highest score in years.
cindylee.bandcamp.com

DOUBLE RIDER
TIMES OF THE DAY
Self-released
Digital
This Siksika Nation family band draws from 1970s influences. They not only pay homage to classic rock, but many of the songs were written by their grandfather from 1972 on.
instagram.com/doubleriderofficial

FEIST
MULTITUDES
Polydor Records
Vinyl / CD / Digital
This Grammy-nominated, Juno- and Polaris-winning artist began in Calgary punk band Placebo. Her latest is notably quieter and speaks of new motherhood, love and grief.
listentofeist.com

GHOSTKEEPER
CÎPAYAK JOY
Victory Pool
Digital
Originating from an improv art piece that debuted at Contemporary Calgary, this recording expands the sonic palette of the band into futuristic pop.
instagram.com/ghostkeepermusic

GHOSTWOMAN
HINDSIGHT IS 50/50
Dine Alone Records
Vinyl / CD / Digital
Lethbridge musician Evan Uschenko’s blend of psychedelia and garage rock has attracted label and festival attention from around the world.
ghost-woman.com

HOME FRONT
GAMES OF POWER
La Vida Es Un Mus Discos
Vinyl / Digital
A recent nod from the Polaris Music Prize’s longlist has propelled them band to sold- out shows across Europe.
instagram.com/arewenothomefront

JANN ARDEN
DESCENDANT
Universal Music Canada
Vinyl / CD / Digital
Arden’s 15th studio album, produced by Bob Rock and Russell Broom.
jannarden.com

KIESZA
DANCING AND CRYING: VOL. 1
Zebra Spirit Tribe
Digital
Her 2014 music video for “Hideaway” attained 300+ million views on YouTube. This latest EP references a return to her early sound and recovery from a traumatic brain injury.
kiesza.com

KUE VARO & THE ONLY HOPES
COWBOY WITCHCRAFT
Self-released
Vinyl / Digital
Produced by Russell Broom (Jann Arden), this recently won the YYC Music Award for Rock Recording of the Year. The album pairs themes of grief and transition with psychedelia.
instagram.com/kuevaro

LINDSAY ELL
LOVE MYSELF
Universal Music Canada
Vinyl / Digital
After being discovered by Randy Bachman at age 15, Ell rose to country music stardom internationally. Her latest is a musical departure, leaning into experimental alternative pop.
lindsayell.com

MIESHA & THE SPANKS
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE IN HI-FI
Mint Records
Vinyl / CD / Digital
Mixed-Secwépemc artist Miesha Louie pairs anthemic rock and roll with serious lyrical themes about residential schools and motherhood.
mieshaandthespanks.net

THE RURAL ALBERTA ADVANTAGE
THE RISE & THE FALL
Paper Bag Records
Vinyl / CD / Digital
The Juno- and Polaris- nominated act’s latest, featuring Edmonton-born Nils Edenloff, showcases the return of original band member Amy Cole.
theraa.com

RYAN BOURNE
PLANT CITY
Self-released
Vinyl / Digital
Co-produced by Chad VanGaalen and Chris Dadge (Alvvays), Plant City is a lo-fi and baroque pop album.
instagram.com/rybotunes

SUNGLACIERS
REGULAR NATURE
Mothland
Vinyl / Digital
Recorded after extensive European and North American touring, Regular Nature melds live post-punk and rock with preprogrammed electronics.
sunglaciers.com

TATE MCRAE
THINK LATER
RCA Records
Vinyl / CD / Digital
The Calgary-born pop star’s album debuted at number three on the Canadian charts.
tatemcrae.com

TEGAN AND SARA
CRYBABY
Mom + Pop Music
Vinyl / CD / Digital
A return from the band’s recent ’80s-inspired pop to the indie rock sound of their youth.
teganandsara.com

VIVEK SHRAYA
BABY, YOU’RE PROJECTING
Mint Records
Vinyl / CD / Digital
The prolific author, visual artist, TV personality and musician’s latest is genre-bouncing pop.
vivekshraya.com

AGNOSTIC MOUNTAIN GOSPEL CHOIR
EVERYTHING WAS A LONG TIME AGO
Self-released
Digital
The long-defunct delta blues- inspired band made a surprise return with a collection of rarities, outtakes and live recordings. The album was released to support bass player Vladimir Sobolewski, who has multiple sclerosis.
agnosticmgc.bandcamp.com

ALADEAN KHEROUFI
STUDIES IN A DYING LOVE
We Are Busy Bodies
Vinyl / Digital
This Edmonton-based Canadian by way of Algeria released his first full-length album, mixing classic soul, funk and rhythm and blues.
instagram.com/a.d.kheroufi

BROTHER RAY LEMELIN
DARK/OUT OF PHASE
Self-released
Digital
Nominated for YYC Music Awards Blues Album of the Year. The Quebec-born blues musician learned from the greats at the legendary King Eddy. He and his band host a weekly jam at the Blues Can.
brotherraylemelin.ca

CADENCE WEAPON
ROLLERCOASTER
MNRK Records
Vinyl / Digital
Edmonton’s former poet laureate won the 2021 Polaris Music Prize. This latest album’s production techniques call to mind the sensory overload of the internet, a linkage that pairs with his lyrics about the digital economy.
cadenceweapon.net

ERIN ROSS
THE WIND WILL LEAD ME HOME
Self-released
Digital
Winning the 2024 YYC Music Award for Blues Recording of the Year is no small feat for a debut. The album was recorded in Nashville by Juno winner Steve Dawson and features studio musicians who’ve played with John Prine, Trisha Yearwood and Sheryl Crow.
erinross.ca

JOHN RUTHERFORD
MIDNIGHT MICROPHONE
Self-released
CD / Digital
A Calgary Blues Music Association Hall of Fame inductee. Rutherford’s vintage guitar-focused sound is inspired by blues greats such as Buddy Guy, B.B. King, John Mayall and T-Bone Walker.
johnrmusic.com

K-RIZ
ONE WAY TICKET
Birthday Cake Records
Digital
A true crossover artist, K-Riz has been nominated for the Western Canadian Music Award for Best Rap & Hip Hop Artist and also been invited to perform at the Calgary Folk Music Festival.
instagram.com/krizmusic

KINJO & YOUNG
GONE TOO LONG
4FTRecords
Digital
Jory Kinjo and Aaron Young are music scene veterans, having played ska, reggae, jazz and roots over the years. The duo debuted with this blues album before following up with a more traditional folk album, Wild Prairie Rose.
kinjoyoung.com

MARK DILLON
T.A. VERN’S
Self-released
Digital
This debut album was born out of a pandemic ritual of streaming a blues show every Saturday night to his friends and family. Calgary- based Dillon wrote, sang and performed all the instruments here. The songs tell the stories of an outlaw, a bootlegger and even the devil.
markdillon.ca

NUELA CHARLES
SELF-TITLED
Self-released
Vinyl / Digital
This Canadian, Swiss and Kenyan musician has been nominated for the Juno Award for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year three times.
nuelacharles.com

SARGEANT X COMRADE
LO FI FUTURE
Mo Gravy Records
Vinyl / Digital
Recorded at the National Music Centre during a five-day residency, the duo made use of the vast collection of vintage synthesizers and amplifiers. The results are appropriately described as retro future rhythm and blues.
sargeantandcomrade.com

TEA FANNIE
IT’S ALL LOVE
Self-released
Digital
Something of a late-bloomer, this queer-identifying rapper didn’t release her debut album until the age of 37. Her Missy Elliott-inspired rhymes have quickly landed her several marquee slots, including at the Calgary Folk Music Festival.
teafanniemusic.com

ZENON
GENRE Z
Self-released
Vinyl / Digital
This Berklee College of Music graduate was named the 2022 YYC Music Awards Solo Artist of the Year. Their debut album weaves together sultry rhythm and blues with jazz.
zenonepp.com