1 of 1 2 of 1 Get the best of Vancouver in your inbox, every Tuesday and Thursday. Sign up for our free newsletter . Sounds Good is a monthly roundtable where we ask Straight staff what their ears are plugged into.
We’ve got a pretty diverse set of tastes, so there’s absolutely no cohesion here: just good vibes. And honestly, that sounds good. Sara (editor-in-chief): I’ve been replaying Cautious Clay’s reliably excellent 2021 album Deadpan Love .
“Dying in the Subtlety” is a particular favourite. He has a new single called “Undecided” with Christian Kuria that’s great too—hopefully it means a new album is on the way! V (associate editor): Although sometimes I feel like I wouldn’t mind if my homeland slid straight into the sea and kept sinking, then I remember that we’d lose all the cool British artists! One of my favourite bands as a teenager, Kids in Glass Houses, recently reformed and is releasing tracks off a yet-to-be-dropped fifth album. (If you’re a KIGH fan in Vancouver, I think you’re legally obligated to tell me about it.
) Lead single “Theme from Pink Flamingo” is on heavy rotation: it’s classic late-noughties alt pop-rock with a bit of an ‘80s twist: crunchy synths and twinkling guitar. Such a summery vibe. On the heavier side, I’ve got into Brighton-based Lambrini Girls.
The band is all riot grrrl queer punk, mocking the patriarchy and Tories and TERFs and the music industry with cynical rage and staccato backing. Single “God’s Country” feels like a spiritual successor to the Sex Pistols and the Clash in its sharp, smart profanity. Angela (social media manager): Amanda Sum, a local artist, just released a new EP-slash-suite.
It’s called, I quote: Does It Make Me Naive If I’ve Never Been Part of Something Where I’ve Meant More to Them Than They Did to Me? Long title! But it’s so iconic and all the songs are less than 90 seconds; a lot of them are only 30 seconds. I went to her release show at The Cultch, and she explained all these songs are about men that don’t deserve a full song about them, which I thought was so clever and funny. The whole suite has such a great flow, and Amanda Sum is just such a well-rounded artist.
Everything she does, I just eat right up. Also—some people say it’s Brat Summer. But I’d say it’s Pratt Summer, because I’m listening to a lot of Jessica Pratt.
Her latest album is called Here in the Pitch . Her voice is very haunting; chilling but also comforting. She uses a lot of cool synths and sounds, and her album is the perfect one to just play around the house when you wake up and are trying to create an ambiance of calmness and restoration and peace.
A great record to chill to. Vicki (Contributing digital writer): I have nothing new to report, as it’s still officially Brat Summer over here. Angela: Called it.
Vicki: I am also still listening to Chappell Roan, although my favourite song is constantly changing. After seeing a Jinkx Monsoon cover, it’s currently “Picture You”. I can also teach y’all the “Apple” TikTok dance and I am going to see Olivia Rodrigo in August.
See, I’m still young and cool. I know what the kids are doing. Ziyana (account manager): I have actually been listening to a lot of UK artists currently: “UK Rap” by Dave and Central Cee, “Clash” by Dave and Stormzy, “Funky Friday” by Dave and Fredo, and “Band4Band” by Central Cee and Lil Baby.
( Editor’s note: Ziyana is currently working from London. The British one. ) Honestly, just a lot of Dave, especially—he’s one of my top artists currently.
The Brits just know how to rap! It all makes you feel badass and invincible. V: I truly love how one of the UK’s best and most beloved rappers is just a guy called Dave. Ziyana: And, of course, Zayn’s new album Room Under the Stairs is perfect for more calm, chill vibes.
Sabrina Carpenter is obviously everywhere right now—including my recently-played playlist—and “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish has been on repeat too. She has such a beautiful voice—and not to mention, her Chicken Shop Date episode just came out, which I love. (Another UK creation!).
