My obsession with Canadian label Arts & Crafts continues to build!  From Milton, Canada comes the electro-lounge collective The Most Serene Republic with their debut Population.  I wasn’t thoroughly impressed with the effort as a whole, but TMSR exudes a wonderfully cheerful and enchanting vibe.  Imagine Zero 7 with a little more zip (sometimes too much zip at times).  TMSR succeeds best when they sound the least ‘disciplined’–that is to say, their best tracks seem more like they were shot from the hip than carefully planned.  Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that their timing isn’t anything short of precise or that their songs are any thing less than anthemic.  “Humble Peasants” is a beautiful mission statement for the band, with horns blaring and whistles abound.  “A Mix of Sun and Cloud” reminds me of genre-mate A Sunny Day in Glasgow, with its subdued rhythms and appeal.  Overall, this is a lean first effort, and surely whets my appetite for some more from these crafty Canadians.

Get yourself a copy of Population!

Listen to “A Mix of Sun and Cloud” (4.7/5)

Listen to “Humble Peasants” (4.8/5)

Basia Bulat (pronounced BASH-a BOO-lat) may be from London, but she’s certainly not British. This London, Ontario native has just released her debut full-length album after a self-released EP in 2005. Oh, My Darling is a melodic, soulful, uplifting LP, complete with intricate hand drums and deliciously sweet guitar riffs. “Why Can’t it Be Mine” is a wonderfully intoxicating rhythmic piece that is sure to please, while the piano-heavy “Snakes and Ladders” is as beautiful as it is urgent.

From her achingly delicate vocals to the unpresumptious ukeleles spread throughout the record, Bulat has hit a perfect balance of legitimate songwriting and intriguing instrumentation. So go and check out Oh, My Darling.

Listen to “Why Can’t it Be Mine” (4.8/5)

Listen to “Snakes and Ladders” (4.7/5)