New EP by Funeral Lakes Brings Punk and Post Punk Mainstream Again

By Anita Stewart, Rock At Night Tampa

EP Review: Funeral Lake’s Golden Season–Release date September 9, 2020

Funeral Lakes is originally from Vancouver, British Columbia and got together in the spring of 2018. They just recently relocated to Toronto. The band consists of the duo Chris Hemer and Sam Mishos. Breaking out with super positive critical acclaim, they have just released their latest EP, Golden Season. Charlie Van performed on the drums while the band was in the studio and Colin Spratt engineered, mixed, and mastered the songs.

This 3 song EP is protest music that is catchy and fun! Expertly crafted songs with sly hooks that weave in and out will have one quickly singing along. This writer caught similarities in vocal styles and instrumental work to some of Rock at Night’s favorites: the Kolars, the White Stripes and Arcade Fire for examples.

“Eternal Return,” the first cut is straight up, alt-pop, synth heavy along with a steady rhythm and Sam’s vocals reminding me of Regine Chassagne’s emphasized vocal superlatives. “Earth Falls” has a great 80’s sound, intricate keyboards with lyrics that speak of the coming collapse. “Power Trip” is punk through and through, danceable and again, with lyrics that reflect the band’s environmental and political leanings. Great guitar work here!

From pipeline fights to radical reading lists, to live sessions, you can follow Funeral Lakes and their ongoing environmental work and new music on their socials. I loved that they gave credit to the indigenous First Nations’ lands with a special note on their Bandcamp account. You can also purchase the EP there.

Rock at Night wants to hear MORE!

“The debut album from Toronto-based duo Funeral Lakes is a thoughtful and dreamy neo folk reverie…If goth folk is a genre, this is what it sounds like. It’s dark and moody and benevolent, with lyrics that are socially conscious.”
— Francis Baptiste @ Citrus Magazine

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Anita Stewart

Managing Editor at Rock at Night

Anita grew up in a rock and roll radio station that her father owned and has a musical family. Spent a few years singing back up. Now sings in the shower! She is a USAF veteran and was elected to local office and worked as staff on three presidential campaigns as a Social Media and Virtual Outreach expert. Plays a variety of musical instruments including ukulele and she loves drum circles. Her favorite music genres are all of them--Alternative to Zydeco. Promotes bands and independent artists through ANITA STEWART PROMOTIONS. She also brought SOFAR SOUNDS to Tampa. When she is not writing, she is knitting, painting, attending concerts and live music jams and exploring nature with her camera. She has recently retired but no rocking chair for her! She has been reporting for Rock at Night since 2014.

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