An instrumental-driven album, Outsider tracks GOVI’s evolution as a producer and composer, building on the dark, thumping sound found on 2022’s Wonder Where We Fall. On this outing, the OVO Sound mainstay opens his woozy worldbuilding up to a cadre of capable vocalists, including Monsune and River Tiber. The added elements reveal a new depth to GOVI’s sound. Wherever this Outsider goes next will certainly be somewhere worth following.
Featuring Cindy Lee, Nemahsis, Wyatt C. Louis, and more — These Canadian artists all commandeered our headphones this year in a compelling way.