The Bellwether

TOPS — musicians David Carriere, Jane Penny, Marta Cikojevic, and Riley Fleck — write timeless music that reliably threads immediacy and depth. Bury the Key, their first full-length since 2020 and with new label home Ghostly International, is a captivating reintroduction for the Montréal band: ever refined, undoubtedly masters of their melodic craft yet unafraid of evolving and testing themselves against different, at times darker tones. The album faces feelings once locked away, engaging the give-and-take between happiness, hedonism, and self- destruction. While often inhabited by fictional figures, their glowing, grooving, self-produced songs draw from personal observations: intimacy (both inside and outside the band), toxic behavior, drug use, and apocalyptic dread. When recording started, they noticed a shift and leaned in, jokingly dubbed “evil TOPS,” says Penny. “We’re always kind of seen as a soft band or like naive or friendly in a Canadian way, but we made it a challenge to really channel the world around us.” Through the lens of a looming epoch and the clarity that comes with age, TOPS dip into a more sinister disco realm with Bury the Key, giving their soft-focus sophisti-pop a sharpened edge.

Babe Corner is an all-female indie rock band from Vancouver, Canada, blending nostalgic classic pop with the gritty energy of 90s grunge. Their dreamy harmonies and moody, melodic hooks – reminiscent of The Carpenters and Mazzy Star – set them apart in the indie scene. Known for their magnetic live shows and emotionally resonant songwriting, the band has built a loyal following both at home and abroad. Following the release of their debut album Crybaby, Babe Corner toured across Canada, Europe, and the UK. In early 2025, they put out a double single and now have their second LP set for release in early 2026.