Get the best of Vancouver in your inbox every Tuesday and Thursday. Subscribe to newsletter.
Sounds Good is a monthly roundtable where we ask straight employees what they like to hear in their ears. We have pretty varied tastes, so there are absolutely no uniform opinions here: just good vibes. And honestly, that sounds good.
V (co-editor): The worst of the summer heat is over, so I’ve jumped right into the alternative rock fall. Leisure Hour, a band I’m pretty sure almost no one outside of their hometown of Indiana has ever heard of, is my current favorite: June’s debut album The sunny side is a nostalgic but forward-thinking pop-punk sound. Midwest emo with great hooks, dueling male and female vocals and boundless optimism even on the very bad days.
I’m also starting Dear Rouge about eight years after everyone else. This is great because it means I haven’t waited eight years for them to really take off, nor do I have to mourn the days of playing DIY shows. The duo have a new record Lonely height is out next month and the dark, danceable singles released so far definitely sound special.
Sarah: I’ve been totally obsessed with Waxahatchee ever since their amazing show at the Orpheum last week. Hearing “Fire” and “Hurricane” live made my heart so, so full.
And speaking of being late, Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss track “Not Like Us” is as good as they say. It’s hard not to listen to it on repeat.
Jess (Account Manager): Literally, I’m listening to “Hey Ya!” by Outkast because on this dreary day I need – oh shit, the song just changed and it’s right up my alley: “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus. You don’t want to see me (or want to) in the club with this on. Where was I? Yes, exactly. On this dreary day, I needed some feel-good music. I asked Alexa to play something happy and she blessed my ears and soul with the Feel Good Pop Mix on Spotify.
That being said, I’ve been trying Paramore again. The algorithm has been filling my feed with Eras tour videos (no complaints, anyone got a ticket left for December?). Paramore is opening for a few shows and damn, Hayley Williams can sing. “Misery Business,” “Still Into You,” “Hard Times,” and “The Only Exception” are my favorites and take me right back to my high school days.
Angela (Social Media Manager): I’m listening to Bess Atwell’s latest album, Light sleep. She is a soft-voiced folk singer with exquisite songwriting skills. She collaborated with Aaron Dessner of The National to produce the song and the journey it takes you on is brilliant from start to finish. “Fan Favourite” is easily my “favourite” track on the record.
In a completely different mood, I am still an active participant in brat Summer. Charli XCX’s latest collaboration with Billie Eilish blew me away. It’s on constant rotation.
Vicki (contributing digital writer): Just when I thought brat summer would never release him from its grip… I’ve been listening to some new releases lately and it feels like they’re all chatting to each other in a group chat.
Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album Short n’ Sweet (especially “Juno”) is my favorite, but Luna Li’s “Fantasy” (from A Thought Grows Wings) and Clairo’s new album Charm are also instant favorites. Each brings something special to the table, but there is an underlying tone of dreamy, introspective moods.
