Underrated Montreal albums to buy on Bandcamp today

Music-selling website Bandcamp has long been a favourite of Montreal music acts, thanks to its easy point of entry and the fact that it’s not evil like the big streaming giants.

This Friday, March 20, Bandcamp is waiving the fee they take on whatever’s sold on the site, meaning every penny will go directly to the artist. So if you’ve been on the fence about buying something, now’s the time to drop some coin.

As a longtime user of Bandcamp, especially random searches using the Montreal tag, here are a few keepers I’ve come across over the years. Of course, there’s plenty to choose from on the site, so this is by no means a comprehensive list.

Backxwash, Deviancy

The supernatural Montreal rapper opens with a warning to stay out, but this is one witches brew worth risking life and limb for.

Link

Chevalier Avant Garde, Resurrection Machine

When talking about under the radar Montreal acts, these European bluesmen and their moody synths have crafted a sonic universe full of mystery and intrigue.

Link

Vesuvio Solo, Don’t Leave Me in the Dark

With rain in the forecast, listen to these immaculately assembled tunes (with sexy sax!) by the window as you stare longingly into the quiet night.

Link

Foxtrott, Meditations I, II, III

Three ambitious EP’s full of experimental electronic pop left turns rolled into one.

Foxtrott Bandcamp

The Adam Brown, Sometimes I Try (Time Battles)

It took a while for this West Islander to drop this collection of clever guitar pop the first time, but really, this is the sort of timeless stuff you can put on at any moment.

The Adam Brown Bandcamp link

EinarJullum, Overraskelsen

Got into this one thanks to prolific local songwriter Expwy, who has his own bounty on Bandcamp worth exploring, but I never quite got over his Norwegian progpeer Jullum, who contorts melody in an artful, cerebral way that seems hard to fathom at times but also completely natural.

EinarJullum Bandcamp link

Galaxius Mons, GMO

Speaking of Expwy, I also never quite got over this synth pop side project of his, which will go down in history as one of the most unlikely all-star get-togethers in Montreal music.

Galaxius Mons Bandcamp link

FreeloveFenner, Do Not Affect a Breezy Manner

A real testament to the DIY spirit of Montreal’s indie heyday. Sparse guitar pop with nothing out of place.

FreeloveFenner Bandcamp link

Nennen, Two Mountains

Evocative landscape sounds at once noisy and a little heartbreaking.

Nennen Bandcamp link

Technical Kidman, Something Stranger on the Horizon

Apocalyptic percussions and quetaine sampling.

Technical Kidman Bandcamp link

YlangYlang, Interplay

The year is young, but arguably my favourite album of 2020 so far: the electronic and the orchestral weave in and out as the sonic world expands and contracts.

YlangYlang Bandcamp link

Pelada, Movimiento Para Cambiar and Ramzi, Multiquest Niveau 1: Camouflé

Revolutionary dancefloor music.

Pelada Bandcamp link

Ramzi Bandcamp link

YAMA // SATO, Promenade and Sayveeyun, Impulse Ode

Shoutout young beatmakers.

YAMA // SATO Bandcamp link

Sayveeyun Bandcamp link

For a complete list of Montreal bands on Bandcamp, click here.

For more coverage of the Montreal music scene, see the Music section.

To read the latest issue of Cult MTL, click here.

To support your favourite Montreal bands, restaurants and more, vote in the Best of MTL readers poll here.

About Cult MTL

Cult MTL is a daily web and monthly print publication focusing on Montreal music, arts, culture and city life. Along with interviewing local and visiting artists, promoters and entrepreneurs, we feature analysis and criticism by our editorial staff and crew of columnists and freelancers, compile comprehensive event listings, curate a daily To-Do List and run the annual Best of MTL readers poll.