While still riding an effervescent wave of ‘60s-era Japanese surf music, Hagata finds Montreal septet TEKE::TEKE working well beyond the band-galvanizing influence of Takeshi Terauchi. On their sophomore full-length, they likewise incorporate psych-stoney hypnotism, cross-cultural yé-yé experimentation, distortion pedal-exploding punk-outs, and morning dew flautistry. Heady waters, but they hit it all with the greatest of ease.
Featuring Cindy Lee, Nemahsis, Wyatt C. Louis, and more — These Canadian artists all commandeered our headphones this year in a compelling way.
