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: Luke James, "Drain"

"Drain" - part of a 7-inch release - mixes blues and garage rock. You don't really know what's going on, but there's thunder thrashes and expressive sounds that shift and shimmer - a contagious track.

Track #2: Mirror Phase, "Stolen"

Mirror Phase is a band to watch out for, and we love their EP, which you can purchase here. Listen to their track "Stolen", with its dense atmospherics and moody textures that plummet you down dreamy depths.

Track #3: Art Imperial, "Cult of Love"

Art Imperial's album Cult of Love is filled with sun-kissed pop tunes, the record shining brightest on the upbeat and effortless title track. Waves of dewy-eyed, surf-rock jingles are the perfect escape for beach boardwalk dreamers stuck in the city.

Track #4: John Milner You're So Boss, "Side A"

Vocal hisses and hammer blows shake this track, along with anti-harmonized cymbal clamors and distorted guitars. The feeling of crazed teenage catharsis is never-ending for JMYSB, and these guys know how to grab and play their instruments and have some fun. Grab their 7-inch here.

Track #5: Del Bel feat. Bry Webb, "No Cure for the Loneliness"

Our favourite track this week goes to Del Bel's "No Cure for the Loneliness", which features a bare-boned duet between Del Bel singer Lisa Conway and Bry Webb. The fuzzy quality sounds like an old recording, where vocals float like dust over the run of strings and horns.

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