New in Toronto Music rounds up recently released audio & video from local talent.

COLD SPECKS / HECTOR / OCTOBER 31ST
I'm sure Cold Specks' pregnant bride character has good motivation for dragging a beheaded groom through rural landscapes in the new video for "Hector" off her Polaris Prize nominated album I Predict a Graceful Expulsion. I still can't help but feel bad for the guy, though. After all — without a head, he can't listen to this beautiful song or watch this eerie but mesmerizing video. Talk about mind blowing, eh?

THE MAGIC / CALL ME UP / NOV 1ST
The Magic, one of my personal favourites, have a new video for their single "Call Me Up" off their smash hit (at least in my heart) album Ragged Gold. The song showcases the singing talents of vocalist and keyboardist Sylvie Smith (also of Evening Hymns) who plays the part of the young lady in the video. On first listen it may seem a bit underwhelming but treat yourself and let the subtle pop masterwork burrow into your brain. The full album is available to stream here.

SLIM TWIG / A HOUND AT THE HEM / NOVEMBER 6TH
If you're not one to immerse yourself in the esoteric side of indie music, Slim Twig can seem a bit "far out." And certainly, his new album A Hound at the Hem seems a bit nuts for the uninitiated (and I will admit that I myself had this sentiment) but I find that if you stop listening to it with your head and start listening to it with your heart (dial a cliché) it's just as emotionally compelling as your Beach Boys or your Ronnettes. Maybe the comparison is not as strong as it could be but who WOULDN'T like being compared to the Beach Boys or Ronnettes? I bet Slim would have no objection. You can stream the whole dang thing until November 14th here.

BELIEFS/ CATCH MY BREATH / NOVEMBER 7TH
http://beliefs.bandcamp.com/
Are Beliefs the next big thing? Their song is so good I have to catch my breath before I can answer that...ok, I'm good. Anyway, I have no idea what the next big thing is BUT what I do know is that this debut single from the two piece band walks the wonderful line between noise and sweetness (can someone explain to me what Shoegaze means?) that has this writer very excited for what is to come next.

THE SOUPCANS / GOOD FEELINGS / NOVEMBER 13
http://thesoupcans.bandcamp.com/track/deadbeat-2
I'm shocked to see that The Soupcans identify themselves as "weirdo" and "trash" in their bandcamp tags. True — their new album Good Feelings has a slightly misleading title but their music is a brand of sinister knucklehead catharsis that is so necessary for sanity in this confusing era of Yuppie Valued Rappers and lighter than air singer songwriters.

Writing by Eric Boshart