Lmst

OCTOBER 2025 WRAP UP

3boats— shoot (LP)

Release Date: Oct. 1, 2025

City: Cambridge

Genre: Folk

3boats’ debut album shoot is a collection of lo-fi songs and recordings that are quaint and intimate. Listening through the project from beginning to end feels like floating through a dream, with many of the songs intertwining modest acoustic guitar, soft blurry soundscapes and the occasional charming sound bite.

Space Kitchen— “It’s My Passion” (Single)

Release Date: Oct. 8, 2025

City: Kitchener

Genre: Art Rock

Drawing inspiration from 1970s art and progressive rock icons such as Rush, Yes, King Crimson and Electric Light Orchestra, Space Kitchen presents a familiar sound infused with their own unique DIY aesthetic. “It’s My Passion” features both keys and lead guitars that work playfully together to create a captivating theatrical performance.

Arcade Allstars—“Fare Thee Well” (Single)

Release Date: Oct. 17, 2025

City: Kitchener

Genre: Ska, Punk

With a blisteringly fast pace, an infectious groove and some spotlight-stealing brass and saxophone, “Fare Thee Well” is guaranteed to get listeners up and dancing. This is the latest single off Arcade Allstars’ forthcoming sophomore full length album Destined 4 Disaster which is set to release Nov. 7, 2025, on Pink Lemonade Records.

Frank Dux—“She Said, He Said” (Single)

Release Date: Oct. 22, 2025

City: Kitchener

Genre: Grunge, Shoegaze

Deeply personal and unapologetically vulnerable, “She Said, He Said” is a song about believing survivors of assault. The chaotically hazy and loud distorted instrumentation perfectly complements the band’s lyrical message which attempts to raise awareness about the problematic culture of misogynistic skepticism.

Courtney Wolfe—“Wild Card “(Singles)

Release Date: Oct. 24, 2025

City: Kitchener

Genre: Singer-Songwriter, Indie Pop

Delicately balancing on the line between airy pop and bold indie rock, “Wild Card” is a captivating lyrical exploration of temptation inspired by Courtney Wolfe’s personal experiences while remaining deliberately ambiguous. Wolfe puts forth a message of ownership and hopes for her listeners regardless of the vice they may be struggling with.

Album artwork sourced from Bandcamp.

#accessible #altnerative #avroArrows #bandcamp #birdDaniels #chamberFolk #column #eletronic #emo #ep #folk #hipHop2 #indieFolk #indiePop #indieRock #kitchener #localMusic #localMusicians #localist #lp #movingFast #newReleases #pop #popPunk #postPunk #psychedelic #rock #single #skatePunk2 #surfRock #theLocalist

Image compiling the album covers from the November 2025 Localist entry.

THE LOCALIST: SEPTEMBER 2025

Thorns— Emptiness, and the Abyss (Single)

Release Date: Sept. 4, 2025

City: Waterloo

Genre: Metalcore

The three-piece metalcore band Thorns returns with an immediate follow-up to their debut single “Noose of the Bastard,” which was released earlier this year. Despite the small roster, the band has managed to put together two loud and blisteringly intricate songs that are heavier than anticipated. Listeners can expect guttural screaming and aggressive chugging guitar riffs.

Amanda Braam— Alphabet Paint (Single)

Release Date: Sept. 5, 2025

City: Kitchener

Genre: Indie Pop

Singer-songwriter Amanda Braam toes the influential line between folk and indie pop with her newest single “Alphabet Paint”. Braam’s vocals and lyricism are the clear highlight of the song, which is full of rich and catchy vocal harmonies. With a soft and unassuming start, the song slowly adds percussion and effect- laden guitars that result in a dreamy crescendo.

HouseCat—Reach You (Single)

Release Date: Sept. 5, 2025

City: Waterloo

Genre: Indie Pop

Fans of local indie outfit HouseCat will be familiar with their latest single “Reach You,” which has been a standout part of their live setlist for the last three years and was originally written over eight years ago. The song was described by lead vocalist Shannon Lee as “the lyrical genius of an angsty sixteen-year-old going through their first heartbreak”.

Frank Dux—Welcome To Terror Lake (Single)

Release Date: Sept. 12, 2025

City: Cambridge

Genre: Skate Punk

Reminiscent of the late 1990s and early 2000s, “Welcome To Terror Lake” evokes a strong sense of nostalgia with a high tempo blend of pop-punk and melodic hardcore. The song was released as part of Go Kick-Ass! 3, an annual double-disc compilation project curated by Cartridge Heart that features forty-two unreleased songs from Southern Ontario punk and rock bands.

part.parasite—too late (Singles)

Release Date: Sept. 19, 2025

City: Kitchener

Genre: Harsh Noise

Harsh noise is an understatement when it comes to part.parasite’s contributions on “too late,” their recent split 7” released alongside the Finnish emoviolence band piot. The use of extreme distortion creates dissonant and relentlessly suffocating walls of noise that transgress the boundaries of conventional music. Physical copies are available locally via No Funeral Records.

Album artwork sourced from Bandcamp.

#Accessible #altnerative #avroArrows #Bandcamp #BirdDaniels #chamberFolk #Column #eletronic #emo #ep #folk #hipHop #IndieFolk #IndiePop #indieRock #kitchener #localMusic #localMusicians #Localist #lp #movingFast #newReleases #Pop #popPunk #postPunk #psychedelic #Rock #single #skatePunk #surfRock

Image compiling the album covers from this month's Localist entry.

THE LOCALIST: AUGUST 2025

Taariq Ahad—Tomorrow (Single)

Release Date: Aug. 1, 2025

City: Waterloo

Genre: Hip-Hop, Emo

Taariq Ahad, member of local hardcore band Solsic, has had a pleasant change of pace with their most recent solo project release “Tomorrow”. The song addresses their personal experience with burnout, with emotional and introspective lyrics that contrast comfortably against the bright and melodic hip-hop instrumentals. It is expected to be included in an upcoming EP set to be released next year.

Curbside—A Lifetime to Outgrow (LP)

Release Date: Aug. 8, 2025

City: Cambridge

Genre: Skate Punk

Curbside’s sophomore return is a fourteen-track high speed album that is an absolute blur in the best way. Consisting of members from other familiar local bands such as Handheld and Frank Dux, this long-awaited album comes thirteen years after their debut and is faster and heavier than ever! Expect blistering drumming, relentless guitars and intense vocal performances.

Packing—Sunset (Single)

Release Date: Aug. 12, 2025

City: Waterloo

Genre: Indie Rock

This debut single from Packing has a playful indie charm that is undeniably catchy. Despite the upbeat instrumentation throughout the song, the lyrics explore solemn feelings of squandered opportunity and lack of direction, culminating in a shouty emo- inspired outro that leaves the door open for what future releases from the band might entail.

Vox Confidential—Journey to the Core of the Earth (EP)

Release Date: Aug. 15, 2025

City: Kitchener

Genre: Psychedelic, Surf Rock

Kitchener’s self-proclaimed “best espionage garage rock band” makes their introduction with a three-track EP that is the perfect soundtrack to the grooviest spy film you can imagine. With vibrant 1960s organ, fuzz-laden guitar and overall surfy vibes, the band manages to sound vintage and familiar while remaining fresh and exciting.

A Horse Named Friday—Feeding (LP)

Release Date: Aug. 21, 2025

City: Waterloo

Genre: Chamber Folk

This album was originally released on BandCamp as a direct fundraiser for Rama, a friend of the band, and her family, who currently reside in Gaza and require immediate support. Feeding is a beautifully somber collection of recordings and songs that were created using a phone over the last five months. The process with which these songs came to fruition causes the collective project to feel innately delicate and vulnerable.

Album artwork sourced from Bandcamp.

THE LOCALIST: JULY 2025

SIN COLA-demo 2025 (Demo)

Release Date: Jun. 30, 2025

City: Kitchener

Genre:Emo Folk

The sophomore demo release from SIN COLA is a compelling two-track installment featuring only vocals, acoustic guitar and the soft buzz of ambient noise filling the background. The recordings immediately establish a warm lo-fi charm that pairs thoughtfully alongside the intimate lyricism and delicate vocal delivery of Nicolas Couture.

SOFTCULT— Naive (SINGLE)

Release Date: Jul. 9, 2025

City: Kitchener

Genre: Grunge, Shoegaze

Softcult is a powerful duo consisting of twins Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn. Their newest single, “Naive,” precedes their forthcoming debut full-length album [title?]. The track is an emotional rollercoaster that which tackles themes of innocence and broken trust. The band carefully balances hazy shoegaze riffs with ethereal vocals and mindful instrumental reprieves to help convey their lyrical intentions.

SHRIEKING— demo (Demo)

Release Date: Jul. 14, 2025

City: Kitchener

Genre: Electronic, Hyperpop

Inspired by the local music scene and motivated by the goal to publicly release music for the first time, Shrieking’s debut demo includes features two instrumental electronic beats that are songs with abrasive, electrifying and chaotic electronic beats. Self-proclaimed as hardcore grimy hyperpop, Shrieking is currently working on an EP that will include vocals to help fulfill their broader musical vision.

AVRO ARROWS— It’s Easy//Moving Fast (SINGLE)

Release Date: Jul. 18, 2025

City: Waterloo

Genre: Indie Rock, Power Pop

Having brought their brand of power- pop- inspired indie rock to the Waterloo Region for just over a year now, Avro Arrows have finally delivered their debut recordings with the songs “It’s Easy” and “Moving Fast.” The clean and well-polished production compleiments the bright guitars and catchy choruses that are at the forefront of these upbeat power rock anthems.

SYDNEY JONES—NOT MY PEOPLE (Single)

Release Date: Jul. 24, 2025

City: Kitchener

Genre: Folk

Sydney Jones is a heartfelt singer-songwriter and is accompanied by Rob Szabo and Ben Rollo on her newest song “Not My People,” which is a sentimental exploration of the experience of outgrowing yourself and the people around you. Jones appears more comfortable than ever in her sound—exhibiting a careful blend of pop, indie and folk influences.

Album artwork sourced from Bandcamp.

#Accessible #altnerative #avroArrows #Bandcamp #BirdDaniels #Column #eletronic #emo #ep #folk #grunge #hyperpop #IndieFolk #IndiePop #indieRock #itSEasy #kitchener #localMusic #localMusicians #Localist #lp #milhowse #movingFast #naive #newReleases #nicolasCulture #notMyPeople #Pop #popPunk #postPunk #Rock #shoegaze #sinCola #single #softcult #sydneyJones