Ear Candy: The five best songs we heard this week with Passion Pit, Chilly Gonzales, Calvin Love & more

We’re excited about this week’s songs because there weren’t a lot of blockbuster announcements regarding album releases, as everyone’s attention seemed to be directed to summer music festivals even though they all sounded vaguely familliar after a while. I mean, how many festivals are headlined by some combination of Florence and the Machine, Kendrick Lamar and Sam Smith? Too many, that’s how many. But that allowed us to dig deep and find some real gems. Herewith, our top five tunes of the week:

 

“Portland, Maine” by Donovan Woods

Although originally recorded by Tim McGraw, Toronto songwriter Donovan Woods has released his own version of this very sweet tune ahead of a new album scheduled for release later this year. We like.

 

“Daydream” by Calvin Love

Edmonton-based crooner Calvin Love seems able to call forth warm spring air by the sheer power of his groovy, upbeat tunes. This new song is the first single from Love’s upcoming  album Super Future to be released on June 16 via Arts&Crafts.

 

“Soul Serene” by Villagers

Irish indie rocker Conor O’Brien’s Villagers released this peaceful, almost meditative song this week. The third offering from Villagers’ upcoming new album, Darling Arithmetic, due out April 14.

 

Advantage Points by Chilly Gonzales

One of the most unique and compelling artists to come out of Toronto in a long time, Chilly Gonzales continues to dabble in many disciplines and genres. This new song is off of Chambers, his just-released follow-up album to 2012’s Solo Piano II, and is accompanied by this most enjoyable video.

 

“Lifted Up” by Passion Pit

American synthpop band Passion Pit are set to return with a new album dubbed Kindred on April 21. They also have a show scheduled for April 29 at the Danforth Music Hall that will surely sell out right away. Today, the band debuted this great new video for the first single, “Lifted Up.”

 

 

 

 

 

Article exclusive to STREETS OF TORONTO