A Soundwave Society exclusive instalment, highlighting favourite tracks from the rapidly growing and diverse music scene in BC. Whether you’re a long time fan of these artists or just coming across their work, Echoes of Vancouver aims to represent the sounds that continue to shape our ever-evolving local music landscape.
Click the button below for the Echoes of Vancouver Playlist, updated with each edition (Apple Music Only).
Hannah Harlacher, “Dog Day”
Harlacher’s first offering of 2024, “Dog Day” navigates the devotion of a new love and the many forms it can take, while unfolding over a cozy soundscape in this delicate, but sweepingly catchy track. There is a remarkably stunning allure in the vocal efforts, aligning with the comforting tones in the instrumentation, all flowing together in a naturally inviting way. Elegant, soothing, and intimate, the atmosphere wraps around you like a warm embrace.
Listen here:
Apple Music | Spotify | Bandcamp
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ORRA, “I Knew”
ORRA channels starlight in sound form in this irresistibly infectious track, carried by shimmering, danceable guitar play and a bold, assertive delivery. There is a pulse-pounding rhythm that pairs perfectly with the cathartic tone of the track, bottling a moment of self-realization into one of the most lively and moveable performances this year.
I caught a glimpse of starlight and I couldn’t put it down
“I Knew,” ORRA
And so I pushed through and I knew I knew
Listen here:
Apple Music | Spotify | Soundcloud
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Computer, “Weird New Vocation”
Challenging, unpredictable, and dynamic, “Weird New Vocation” is intriguingly perplexing. Whether it’s in the hypnotic moments, frenetic rhythms, or urgently expressive vocals, there is an undeniable tension living inside the track that is simply invigorating. A remarkable debut release that serves as a stifling introduction to the Vancouver band, Computer’s sound is refreshingly daring. Their future explorations will undoubtedly be exciting to follow along with.
Listen here:
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Laylo, “Cry On the Dancefloor”
Don’t be fooled by Laylo’s smooth and polished delivery on this nostalgic, danceable pop track; the underlying themes of heartache run deep. There is a charismatic ease that shines throughout the runtime, as they blend catchy melodies with poignant lyrics for an overall captivating contrast that can be played in any setting, and on repeat.
Listen here:
Apple Music | Spotify | Bandcamp
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AVEY, “Deep Cut”
Immediately intense, “Deep Cut” never lets you go from start to finish. AVEY employs a confident suave that almost pushes a sense of urgency onto the listening experience, belying the themes of grief the track addresses which creates an overall profoundly engaging listen. A song that begs you to turn up the volume with its explosive, rejuvinating energy.
Screwing my mind straight
“Deep Cut,” AVEY
Swallowing my mistakes
Been doing my head in
I’m over it, I’m over it
Listen here:
Apple Music | Spotify | Soundcloud | Bandcamp
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MCMH (Mom Cuts My Hair), “Bloodlike”
“Bloodlike” creates a unique juxtaposition with it’s sonic dreamy elegance, as the lyrical makeup and delivery carry a distinct bite within the track’s longing and unapologetic nature. A beautiful shift near the halfway point marks a transition into a more exertive and assertive leg of the track, meanwhile, the reflective lyrics carry an urgency in its weight, echoing the struggle of navigating love and loss.
Listen here:
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The Hausplants, “Hypocrite”
There is an ominous distress that is meshed into lead vocalist, Zel’s lyrics that truly encapsulate the anxious, apprehensive tones throughout the track. The Vancouver (by way of Iran, Mongolia, and Minnesota) trio summon a haunting dread in this atmospheric, punky exploration of the struggle to recognize one’s own contradictions, wrestling with the desire for change while simultaneously fleeing from it. The song reaches a thrilling crescendo in its final legs that tie the knot in this standout track of 2024.
Listen here:
Apple Music | Spotify | Bandcamp
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Hope Slide, “Something Changed”
Exertive, pleading vocals intertwine with beautifully layered harmonies and lush instrumentation to underscore the weight of longing and transformation in Hope Slide’s poignant first offering since their 2021 debut album. “Something Changed” features stunning string arrangements, delicate piano lines, and inspiring layered/group vocals, resulting in a resplendent, must-listen record. The beauty and complexity of this track are undeniable, complemented by potent and evocative lyrics that grapple with regret and the challenges of change, adding further depth to the song.
Something changed
“Something Changed,” Hope Slide
As quick and muddy as a memory
There’s only one true answer
But I keep it buried
Listen here:
Apple Music | Spotify | Bandcamp
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N. SHERMAN, “Clustercuss”
A mesmerizing blend of Shoegaze and Bedroom Pop, “Clustercuss” envelops you with its hypnotic atmosphere, almost melting into your ears. Its dreamy, soothing melodies are reminiscent of a nostalgic 90s vibe, yet the ethereal, tranquil soundscape strikes a refreshing balance of serenity with the chaos of life.
Listen here:
Apple Music | Spotify | Bandcamp
Follow N. SHERMAN:
We live, listen, and share on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
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