Tunes for Tuesdays: Summer Shockwaves

Sweet Tuesday -- it is an instant shock of summer here at Cute, Queer, Canadian. Women with music coursing through their veins teamed up this week to overcharge our headphones and the results are effervescent.

So, grab a tall glass of iced tea, switch on the closest fan, and settle down into a soundtrack fit for the searing summer weeks ahead.

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Albums:

Sarah McLachlan, Laws of Illusion

Our First Lady of Lilith Fair returns with her seventh original studio album after a seven-year retreat from personal recording projects. It appears Canada's darling, Sarah McLachlin, is set for an astronomical summer in 2010 -- with brand new material, a grand celebration of women in music scheduled with the revived Lilith Fair tour (see also: the Lilith 2010 compliation album released today), and a guest appearance on another Canadian gal's single released on the same day as Laws of Illusion, I reckon she is setting her sights on each one of us. Laws of Illusion captures McLachlin's trademark ephemeral sound and injects a new vitality into her standard ballads. At times, McLachlin channels a more rousing, pop-folk sound on tracks like "Loving You Is Easy" that sparkles across the entire album. Lucky number seven, indeed.

Katie Melua, The House

Katie Melua is at once captivating and clever with her sound, pushing her blues-pop fusion to its extremities with her fourth studio album, The House. Melua has entered exciting territory in her career with her new off-kilter, slightly sinister sound. As far as themes are concerned, The House explores the inner recesses of the mind from the glittering highs of "A Happy Place" to the disturbing drawl of her opening track, "I'd Love to Kill You." And how on Earth could a person pass on the clear, cutting sound of "God on the Drums, Devil on the Bass"? She carries a quiet intelligence through her song-writing and pushes listeners with unpredictable arrangements. Ah, such a pleasure to see an awarded, successful musician continue to evolve even at the height of her fame.

Martha Wainwright, Sans fusils, ni souliers, à Paris

The immaculate Martha Wainwright offers a gorgeous, playful, and luscious compilation of classics from the Edith Piaf songbook, all recorded live in the concert halls of Paris (or, at least, the album invites listeners to imagine quiet cafes and a crush of cultured Parisians checking out her covers). Wainwright is best known for the expressiveness of her voice coupled with her cutting, often sarcastic lyrics -- however, with Piaf's songs, the warm and honeyed tones of Wainwright's voice are appreciated in a new light. The fact her recordings are live adds to the awe over Wainwright's delicious singing and her accent français merveilleux. Must come from the Canadian side of the family...

Robyn, Body Talk, Pt. 1

Speaking of transformations in music, it would be remiss to not mention Robyn's return to the dance floors of the nation. Robyn is poised to release a new wave of delectable, danceable fare for the 2010 summer crowd with three albums hovering on the horizon. Body Talk, Pt. 1 offers the first taste of Robyn's reinvention and promises a further series of electric, electric tunes in months to come. These tracks shimmer with the heat of June and are best enjoyed under the pulsing lights of the local alt club. Immediate favourites are the sci-fi sweet "Fembot" and the shuttering heartbreak of "Dancing on My Own." Welcome back, Robyn -- us queer gals have missed you.

Singles:

Melissa McClelland feat. Sarah McLachlin, "Brake"

Quite the Can. con. tag team here with Melissa McClelland's single, "Brake." McClelland and McLachlin showcase their unmistakable, folk-inspired voices on a fresh track tinged with such delicate heartache. Ah, "restless hearts are always bound to break," but listeners can trust these women to write a memorable and oh-so-Canadian track perfect for a reflective summer evening.

Kylie Minogue, "All the Lovers"

Kylie Minogue's latest single, "All the Lovers," is summer music to its core -- with Minogue's breathy vocals backed by the golden chime of synths, it is little surprise her track will dominate the queer clubs this season. Our pop diva has even created quite the buzz around her video for "All the Lovers" wherein Minogue literally rides a wave of young, underwear-clad lovers of all orientations making out in the street. It quickly moves from sexy to unsettling in a sudden swell of drumbeats, though. Mmm, equally opportunity snogging -- now there's a video to support. In all seriousness, queers best prepare to encounter this track often in the next few weeks as clubs shine up their catalogue for impending Pride celebrations. Methinks Kylie Minogue will make an appearance or twelve.

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Quite the Canadian collection this Tuesday in addition to some stellar international artists. I quite enjoy when Tunes for Tuesdays devolves into me praising a host of lovely lady musicians who happened to coordinate their releases. Makes for a lavish evening of discovery and adds to the summer soundtrack combinations tenfold.

Though serious, watch out for that Minogue character. Chances are she'll be stalking the rainbows in no time....

Tunes for [Wednes]days: Hannah Georgas (AND MORE!)

It is a delicious week for women in music, let me tell you. I wonder if, perhaps, the amount of awesome culminating in the new releases this Tuesday might be too explosive for one simple blog post to contain.

I will wield it as best I can.

Leading the ladies this week is Hannah Georgas, a Vancouver-based musician with a knack for energetic, effervescent pop tracks with distinct indie influences. Critics have fallen over themselves to catch a word from Ms. Georgas, providing an ample shot of exposure for the singer-songwriter even before her first album debuted.

Her delightful press kit encapsulates the singer's style in a flawless fashion: "Hannah Georgas is the new love of your life – and she won’t break your heart. Her voice, bittersweet yet as spunky as an indie film heroine, will make you swoon as she sings about love, language and awkward situations."

Um, yes please to all of the above. And Canadian to boot? Well, I do believe she's launched me to the moon with that stunning news.

Canadian listeners are at an advantage (finally!) this time around -- wander over to iTunes and download her single, "Bang Bang You're Dead," FOR FREE. It's true, she's the free single for the week. We tend to suffer droughts in Canada when it comes to alluring new artists for the Single of the Week and I am thrilled to see Ms. Georgas break that streak. As the title of her album suggests, This Is Good. It's full of sparks and heartbreak and a child-like impulse to run through open fields and shout to the clouds.

For readers out there who cannot access the free download, never fear. YouTube is a constant source of wonder and offers a wide array of sugary goodness from Ms. Georgas. Gosh, even her slower songs are brimming over with an indescribable, highly-addictive energy. To that effect, I give you "Thick Skin" from her debut, This Is Good.

A beautiful sound gilded with such sadness -- why am I writing and not downloading this album right now?

I expect Hannah Georgas is about to uncover a huge amount of commercial success within our borders and beyond. She's a musician to watch for and she's bound to discover far richer, expressive plains from here.

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OH. MY. WORD.

NEW RELEASES: I feel the charts were orchestrated by a queer woman this week. Serious. One glance at the new release wall is all the proof you need. Shall we begin?

Albums

Melissa Etheridge, Fearless Love

Melissa Etheridge, one of the First Ladies of the Queer Scene, opens the countdown with new material and an undeniable activism in her voice. Fearless Love marks Etheridge's eleventh studio album and it is FULL OF THE GAY. It's got a great big, heartland sound to it and proves it will be a popular addition to summer road trips to come.

Hole, Nobody's Daughter

I know, I was shocked, too -- Courtney Love? With a new album? HOLE HAS REUNITED?! Do NOT adjust the computer screen. She's refined her sound and cleaned up the edges of her music this time around, but the grit in her voice remains. Those grunge roots are a focal point and her raw emotion offers an unmistakable draw for dedicated fans and new listeners alike. Here's hoping she's traded in those awkward talk show stints for another successful shot at this business of art.

Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sunset Strip (EP)

Anglo-French actress-turned-singer, Charlotte Gainsbourg, seems to be clipping through the charts with no signs of slowing. Her third album, IRM (2009), inundated Gainsbourg with critical attention and a swelling fan base -- both of which are very well deserved. Her latest EP offers a sleek, sexy texture mixed with a dream-like, effortless flow of music. Her credits are stunning, but her music outshines it all.

Singles

Sarah McLachlan, "Loving You Is Easy"

(The Laws of Illusion, Release Date: June 15, 2010)

Our Lady of Lillith Fair gives us a rollicking new single with promises of reinvention on the horizon. This single is a sharp departure from Sarah McLachlan's soft, glowing world of piano-driven music, but the song is fresh and offers a compelling new perspective on one of Canada's golden girls.

Regina Spektor, "No Surprises"

Regina Spektor returns with an intimate, gorgeous cover of Radiohead's "No Surprises" from their album, OK Computer (1997). Proceeds from this download will be donated to the Doctors Without Borders Emergency Relief Fund program and, heck, the track is good for the ears, too, when you think about it.

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As I said, I am certain a queer woman compiled these new releases. Or, perhaps a group of queer women were behind the scenes on this one considering these artists release their work under various labels. Regardless, it is a splendid week for all the ladies out there. I am glad I could bring this sweet news to you, even if it is a day late.

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But, you know what it's never too late to do? Why, it's never too late to vote for The Advocate in The Best Travel Job Ever, of course! (Do you even need to ask twice?) Voting closes THIS FRIDAY, so folks need to get their votes in as soon as possible. Serious, she's a handful of clicks from top 20 territory, people. Rally those efforts and launch her to those wanderlust dreams.