2025 Year In Review Part 2: Know Your Indies (I-R)

In each issue of the print version of Plastic and Wax I include listings of new releases from independent bands. I’ve compiled them here for easy-browsing (and included a few extras). I’ve also included Bandcamp links because it’s the most artist-friendly platform, but you can find most of this stuff on the other streamers too.

Jayniac Jr.
Flower Mouth

Toronto six-piece mixes ska, punk, big band, rockabilly and reggae (self-released)

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Jayniac Jr
Girlfoe

Toronto ensemble continues down genre-hopping path with a stylish stew of sounds (self-released)

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Jerkswitch
100% Wholesome Pants Party

The worst jazz band in Montreal (self-released)

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Joan Smith & the Jane Does
Normalize

Party rockers’ 2018 debut remastered and reissued (Cartridge Heart)

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Joe Cash
Alligator Pie

Toronto singer-songwriter’s sunny acoustic pop belies darker themes (Longdog Records)

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Kevin Murphy
Fireweed

Debut full-length from conscientious folk-punker (self-released)

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Kingfisher
All Pain No Gain

Fast and furious punk rock attack from Ottawa outfit (Steady Riot)

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Losing Streak
Last Place

Father-son team bonds over skatepunk and shortcomings in sports (People of Punk Rock)

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Lovebolt
Sufficiently Loud

Long-awaited comeback LP from dirty rock ‘n roll Hamilton four-piece (self-released)

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Maldita
Un Mundo En Demencia

Toronto-based hardcore punk presented en Español (Cursed Blessings)

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The Mendozaz
The Completely Fictional History of This Great Nation of Canada

Toronto punk rockers rewrite history with concept EP (Cartridge Heart)

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Monach
A Light To Guide You

Kingston quintet delivers slick pop-punk package (self-released)

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MOOCH
KIN

Montreal alt/prog-rockers send listeners into celestial bliss (Black Throne Productions)

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Motion Sickness
Everything Else

Remasters, covers and a new track act round out EP for Hamilton skate-punkers (self-released)

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Nerima
All My Mistakes

Oshawa three-piece mixes melody into polished pop-punk (Sonic Envy)

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Night Chill
The Weird Uncanny Occult World of Night Chill

Hamilton horror surfers’ comprehensive compilation collects 20 tracks from back catalogue (self-released)

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Night Danger
Grey Area

Perfectly-pitched Peterborough power-pop packs punch (self-released)

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No Joy
Bugland

Avant-garde shoegaze project washes wall-of-sound noise over club soundscapes (Hand Drawn Dracula)

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Ohmno
Early Traditions

Toronto/Niagara post-punkers provide lo-fi reverb-drenched melodies (self-released)

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Our Sins
A Sea of Nude Limbs Thrashing

New project from London emo rock n rollers wears heart on sleeve (Get Party!)

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Peach Pact
Die Hydrated

North Bay trio pulls together riot grrl messaging, punk rock energy and post-punk brooding (self-released)

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Polluted
Chocolate Nickels and Dimes

London alt-rock trio drop five fiery ragers on new EP (self-released)

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Pot Is Drugs
Self-Titled

Debut EP from London’s self-described genre-fluid indie rockers (self-released)

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Pyres
Yun

Toronto riff-reapers sling sludge and metal (Hypaethral Records)

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Quotas
Self-Titled

Brantford trio pilfers the best parts of post-rock and post-punk (zBTFD)

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Real Sickies
Under A Plastic Bag

Edmonton ensemble puts modern spin on 70’s punk and garage (Stomp Records)

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