Another one from Arts & Crafts that will definitely be making my short list as I voted for it on the long list. This is helluva debut album. The voice alone seals it. Al Spx‘s vocals are nothing short of absolutely phenomenal. Think Adele combined with Bonnie Tyler singing raw bluesy, turn-of-the-century field songs updated for the soundcloud era and you have some idea of what I’m talking about here. Some have said the songs are a tad undercooked and on a first listen, I’ll admit I was more open on the voice than I was the actual songs but play it again and again. You will be taken in and won over, trust! If this won the Polaris, I wouldn’t be mad, at all. This is the kind of musical excellence that the Polaris claims to be aiming to celebrate. I intend to do my part to make sure they keep their word.
[album stream via Exclaim!]
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