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 that you can download or stream as a soundtrack for the week. The theme for our sixteenth installment is wasted hours - busting out of cabin fever.

Track #1: Amberhaze, "1994"

Amberhaze's "1994" is the kind of grand, upbeat opening I wanted for this week's collection. With its blitzkrieg of synths and drums, the track gets you up on your feet, ready to tromp through slush and trounce a snowbank or two.

Track #2: First Base, "I Saw Her First"

First Base's fun-loving "I Saw Her First" creates a good buzz with vintage-sounding guitar purrs and minimalist synthesizer taps. It's a song you wish your local cafe-hangout would play, rather than those songs that discourage lingering over empty cups.

Track #3: Loveseat, "Charlie (Electronic Mistress)"

Maybe you decide to spend the day ducking in-and-out of thrift stores, rummaging in hopes of finding a hidden treasure before it's all picked over. "Let me grow, let me grow, let me grow old with you," Jen Mahon repeats into your headphones on Loveseat's optimistic track "Charlie (Electronic Mistress)" - it trails you around with its catchy lyrics and electro-pop chords.

Track #4: Papermaps, "You Glided Down"

Papermaps' self-titled debut album arrives April 19th. I feel very lucky and thankful to the band for allowing me to share one of their new tracks. "You Glided Down" is a dream-pop track with a skyward tempo and vapour-like arrangements: You can have on repeat while you browse through your favourite book or record store.

Track #5: Snowblink, "Ambergris"

Winter is perfect for museum dates, the galleries warm troves for wandering feet and eyes. Snowblink's "Ambergris" - named for the sperm whale by-product - is a magical and poetic track. The delicate tune highlights Daniela Gesundheit's earnest and polished vocals that pull and charm you in wonder with playful, tongue-stumbling lyrics: "Martha, my dear, and Francis - my bliss and my favourite frost will wear our long wise white beards."

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