The Neighbourhood Mixtape: Butterfly Knife

The Neighbourhood Mixtapeis 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: Most People, "Don't Wanna Walk Away"

Most People - Brandon DeGroote and Paul McEachern - are one of those bands to get really excited about. "Don't Wanna Walk Away" uses ornate instrumentation and cleverly textured arrangements, its unpredictability always meant to set off emotions.

Track #2: The Davey Parker Radio Sound, "Trains Are Never Easy on the Run"

The DPRS' scraggly "Trains Are Never Easy on the Run" scampers in chase-rock rhythm, bellowing through railroad rubble and blue skies.

Track #3: Megan Bonnell, "South Korea"

Texture and colour (in musical terms) become literal in Megan Bonnell's vivid video for "South Korea" - her vocals and the song's classical orchestration, a form of melodic impressionism.

Track #4: Invasions, "Jewel"

"Jewel" shines in noise-pop lustre, adorned by its guitar distortions that leave amps fried. Listen for the countdown halfway into the track, right before the song ruptures like a shook-up pop can.

Track #5: Mausoleum, "Hunters"

Mausoleum's "Hunters" plummets to the depths, where dark energy, obscure electronic noise and a hint of gothic new-wave make the cobwebs vibrate - a rave in the dark.

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