The Neighbourhood Mixtape: Moonshiner

The Neighbourhood Mixtape is a collection of newly-released songs by Toronto musicians. The mixtape is meant to celebrate Toronto's music culture and provide a forum to listen to and discover new local music.

Every Sunday, I post a five-track mixtape (along with my own mini-reflections for each track) that you can download or stream as a soundtrack for the week.

Track #1: Jesse Futerman, "Black Is The Colour"

"Black Is The Colour" is one of the many spritely instrumental tracks you'll find on Jesse Futerman's (free) EP Super Basement. The track comes to life with crisp percussion and a lively tapestry of jazz textures.

Track #2: Flora Fauna, "Memory"

"As long as we remember / Remember it," Erene Stergiopoulos and Maayan Adar sing on the atmospheric track "Memory", their voices falling into a rising tempest of conjured synths and shuddering cymbals.

Track #3: Staycation, "Holiday"

Staycation's "Holiday" is a short and quiet psychedelic track, with subtle charms generated by mid-tempo rhythms from a slack guitar and keyboard, along with unhurried and sun-drenched vocals.

Track #4: Paradise Animals, "Utility"

This isn't the first time we've featured Paradise Animals on the mixtape nor will it be the last, especially if the group continues to create nostalgic new wave tailored for dance floors. "Utility" takes a dreamy turn, using sharp and shimmery electro and sweet, lulling lyrics to match.

Track #5: Deloro, "Travelling Man"

Jennifer Castle may have softened your soul with her LP Castlemusic, but now backed by a couple members of One Hundred Dollars (Dave Clark and Paul Mortimer), Tony Romano, and Dallas Wehrle of Constantines, the raw, folk-rock aggression of Castle's vocal quavers are haunting.

If you wish to be a part of The Neighbourhood Mixtape, you can contact Aldrin at aldrin [at] blogto [dotcom]