Ada Lea – what we say in private (Saddle Creek)

Sometimes loss calls for a personal rediscovery. When Alexandra Levy endured a recent breakup she used various creative outlets—painting, journaling, making music—in order to recall who she was before and redefine herself in the aftermath. As a result, the Montreal singer-songwriter came up with 10 songs that embody the tumultuous cycle of pain, anxiety, patience, and acceptance that accompanies major heartache. Her debut album as Ada Lea, what we say in private, is a peculiar vortex of intense emotion and experimental pop music.(Pitchfork)

Bruno Capinan – Real (Coax Records)

Puffy L’z – Take No L’z (Indie)

Exclusive Interview: Toronto Rapper Puffy L’z Talks New Music, Working With Giggs & More(Respect)

Yves Leveille – Phare (Naxos)

This album by French Canadian pianist Yves Léveillé and his quintet is unusual to say the least. Many of the tracks here start out as if they were “ambient jazz,” a genre I detest, yet most of them quickly begin to morph into something else—more modern, more individual, more interesting. In part, this is due to Léveillé’s unusual harmonic changes, but also due to his unique sense of musical construction. Each of these pieces is a real composition that evolves, like flowers, from their musical buds. Bassist Guy Boisvert, for instance, uses his instrument more like a ground bass in a Baroque ensemble, moving the harmony up and down with his well-chosen notes as the music progresses. The solos, Léveillé’s included, are well spaced out in note choices and make musical sense. To reiterate: these are real compositions, not just a jam session.(The Art Music Lounge)