reviews

POP Montreal 2023 Brought Eclecticism and Excitement with Kate NV, Hot Garbage, Loraine James, Hand Habits and More

PUBLISHED Oct 4, 2023

POP Montreal brought no shortage of excitement to the city this year. Celebrating its 22nd instalment, the festival has steadily expanded b...

'Strange Way of Life' Packs Epic Emotions into a Mini Western

Directed by Pedro Almodóvar

PUBLISHED Oct 3, 2023

Pedro Almodóvar's films are many things: erotic, lush, campy, outrageous. But the genius lies in how it all comes together to radiate passi...

'No One Will Save You' Is an Alien Take on UFO Tropes

Directed by Brian Duffield

PUBLISHED Oct 3, 2023

In the last few years, reports have suggested that conspiracy theories about government coverups of alien visitations might, at the very le...

There's Nothing Out of Place on Population II's 'Électrons libres du québec'

PUBLISHED Oct 3, 2023

Almost exactly two years ago, Montreal psychedelic-meets-art-rock-three-piece Population II released their debut album À la Ô Terre. The al...

Mitski Conjured Hellfire and Heartache in Toronto

Trinity-St. Paul's United Church, September 29

PUBLISHED Sep 30, 2023

Each time someone moved in their pew or headed to the washroom — or the merch line, which wrapped twice around the back room in a feverish...

James Wyatt Crosby Finds Comfort in Humility on "Ashamed"

Exclaim! Staff Picks

PUBLISHED Sep 29, 2023

Everything that James Wyatt Crosby touches turns into a warm breeze, even when it's drenched in melancholy. The shade of "Ashamed" is hued...

thanks for coming's 'What Is My Capacity to Love?' Makes Magic from the Mundane

Exclaim! Staff Picks

PUBLISHED Sep 29, 2023

Rachel Brown's work as thanks for coming feels worlds away from the shattered art rock they make with Nate Amos as Water from Your Eyes. Wh...

'Flora and Son' Strikes a Resonant Chord to Resolve Its Dissonant Notes

Directed by John Carney

PUBLISHED Sep 28, 2023

The right melody has a way of making even the most antisocial sentiments sound sweet. "Every Breath You Take"? Creepy as hell. "I'm on Fire...