2020 in Canadian music explained

The following musical events and releases that happened in 2020 in Canada.

Events

• April 4 – 15th Canadian Folk Music Awards are announced online following the cancellation of the ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• May – Prism Prize
• June 15 – Preliminary longlist for the 2020 Polaris Music Prize is announced
• June 29 – Juno Awards of 2020 are announced online following the cancellation of the original March 15 ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• July – Shortlist for the Polaris Music Prize announced
• August 5 – SOCAN Songwriting Prize winners announced
• October 19 – Backxwash wins the 2020 Polaris Music Prize for the album God Has Nothing to Do With This Leave Him Out of It.^[1]
• November 1 – 42nd Felix Awards

Albums released

• 2Frères, À tous les vents
• 88Glam, New Mania – June 26

A

• Allie X, Cape God – February 21
• Don Amero, The Next Chapter – September 25^[2]
• Ammoye, I Am Love
• Tafari Anthony, The Way You See Me
• Arkells, Campfire Chords – August 20^[3]
• Tenille Arts, Love, Heartbreak, & Everything in Between – January 10^[4]
• Aquakultre, Legacy – May 8^[5]
• Aquakultre and Uncle Fester, Bleeding Gums Murphy – October 9^[6]
• Art of Time Ensemble, Ain't Got Long
• Rich Aucoin, United States – September 18
• Austra, Hirudin – May 1^[7]

B

• Backxwash, God Has Nothing to Do With This Leave Him Out of It^[8]
• Badge Époque Ensemble, Self-Help^[9]
• Bahamas, Sad Hunk – October 9^[10]
• Jason Bajada, Elizabeth
• Tim Baker, Survivors – July 10^[11]
• Jill Barber, Entre nous
• Gary Beals, Bleed My Truth – October 23
• Daniel Bélanger, Travelling – October 2^[12]
• Belinda (Lisa LeBlanc), It's Not a Game, It's a Lifestyle^[13]
• Beòlach, All Hands
• Beyries, Encounter^[14]
• Laila Biali, Out of Dust
• Justin Bieber, Changes – February 14
• Billy Talent, TBA
• The Birthday Massacre, Diamonds – March 27
• Forest Blakk, Sideways
• Bob Moses, Desire (EP) – August 28
• Will Bonness, Change of Plans
• Born Ruffians, JUICE – April 3
• Braids, Shadow Offering – June 19
• Dean Brody, Boys – November 18^[15]
• Bruce Peninsula, No Earthly Sound – April 17^[16]
• Roxane Bruneau, Acrophobie^[17]
• Basia Bulat, Are You in Love? – March 27^[18]

C

• Shawna Cain, The Way
• Lou Canon, Audomatic Body
• Caribou, Suddenly – February 28^[19]
• Carys, To Anyone Like Me^[20]
• Casey MQ, babycasey^[21]
• Jennifer Castle, Monarch Season – October 16^[22]
• Cindy Lee, What's Tonight to Eternity
• Cindy Lee, Cat o' Nine Tails
• Clairmont the Second, It's Not How It Sounds – July 10
• Classified, Time – September 25
• Louis-Jean Cormier, Quand la nuit tombe
• Rose Cousins, Bravado – February 21^[23]
• CRi, Juvenile^[24]
• Crown Lands, Crown Lands
• Crown Lands, Wayward Flyers Vol. 1

D

• The Darcys, Fear & Loneliness – November 13
• Sophie Day, Clémence
• The Dears, Lovers Rock – May 15
• Helena Deland, Someone New – October 16^[25]
• Destroyer, Have We Met – January 31^[18]
• Dizzy, The Sun and Her Scorch
• Dog Day, Present
• Gord Downie, Away Is Mine – October 16^[26]
• Alan Doyle, Rough Side Out – February 14
• Drake, Dark Lane Demo Tapes – May 1
• Dvsn, A Muse in Her Feelings – April 17

E

• Fred Eaglesmith and Tif Ginn, Alive^[27]
• Jade Eagleson, Jade Eagleson – July 24^[28]
• Kathleen Edwards, Total Freedom – August 14^[29]
• Elephant Stone, Hollow – February 14^[30]
• Lindsay Ell, Heart Theory – August 14^[31]
• Elliott Brood, Keeper – September 18^[32]
• Emanuel, Alt Therapy Session 1: Disillusion (June); Alt Therapy Session 2: Transformation (December)
• Eric Ethridge, Good with Me – October 30
• Evening Hymns, Heavy Nights – June 26

F

• Fast Romantics, Pick It Up
• Luca Fogale, Nothing Is Lost
• FouKi, Grignotines de luxe
• FouKi and Koriass, Génies en herbe
• The Franklin Electric, In Your Head/In Your Heart

G

• The Garrys, Haxan
• Hannah Georgas, All That Emotion
• Matthew Good, Moving Walls – February 21
• Grandson, Death of an Optimist – December 4
• Great Lake Swimmers, When Last We Shook Hands: Cover Songs, Vol. 1
• Great Lake Swimmers, Live in Ottawa at the 27 Club, October 3, 2019
• Grimes, Miss Anthropocene – February 21^[18]
• Matthew Grimson, Prize for Writing

H

• Half Moon Run, The Covideo Sessions
• Half Moon Run, Seasons of Change
• Harm & Ease, Midnight Crisis
• Sarah Harmer, Are You Gone – February 21^[33]
• High Valley, Grew Up On That – May 8^[34]
• Matt Holubowski, Weird Ones
• Holy Fuck, Deleter – January 17^[18]
• Andrew Hyatt, Neverland

J

• Sammy Jackson, With You
• David James, If I Were You – March 13^[35]
• Ryland James, Ryland James
• Ryland James, A Little Christmas
• Japandroids, Massey Fucking Hall – June 19^[36]
• Yves Jarvis, Sundry Rock Song Stock – September 25
• Carly Rae Jepsen, Dedicated Side B – May 21^[37]
• The Jerry Cans, Echoes – May 15^[38]
• Berk Jodoin, Berk Jodoin
• July Talk, Pray for It – July 10^[39]
• Junia-T, Studio Monk

K

• K-Anthony, The Cure
• Peter Katz, City of Our Lives
• Khotin, Finds You Well
• Brett Kissel, Now or Never – January 1^[40]
• Kiwi Jr., Football Money
• k-os, Boshido – May 29
• Krief, Chemical Trance – August 14

L

• Matt Lang, More – June 5
• Land of Talk, Indistinct Conversations
• Jessy Lanza, All the Time – July 24^[18]
• Laurence-Anne, Accident
• Shay Lia, Solaris – September 25
• Gordon Lightfoot, Solo – March 20
• Loony, JOYRiDE
• Loud Luxury, Nights Like This – March 27
• Corb Lund, Agricultural Tragic – July 26

M

• Catherine Major, Carte mère
• Dan Mangan, Thief – November 20^[41]
• Cory Marks, Who I Am – August 7^[42]
• Matthew Tavares & Leland Whitty, Visions – March 20
• Matt Mays, Dog City – August 28^[43]
• Jon McKiel, Bobby Joe Hope^[44]
• Shawn Mendes, Wonder – December 4
• Tyler Joe Miller, Sometimes I Don't, But Sometimes I Do – November 6^[45]
• Ryland Moranz, XO, 1945^[46]
• Alanis Morissette, Such Pretty Forks in the Road – July 31^[18]
• MSTRKRFT, Black Gloves – October 30
• David Myles, Leave Tonight – May 8

N

• N Nao and Joni Void, Nature morte
• Eliza Niemi, Glass^[47]
• Nyssa, Girls Like Me^[48]

O

• The OBGMs, The Ends – October 30^[49]
• Ocie Elliott, In That Room;^[50] Tracks^[51]
• Odario, Good Morning Hunter – October 23

P

• The Pack A.D., It Was Fun While It Lasted
• Partner, Never Give Up – November 20^[52]
• PartyNextDoor, Partymobile – March 27
• PartyNextDoor, Partypack – October 16
• Nico Paulo, Wave Call
• Orville Peck, Show Pony EP
• Klô Pelgag, Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs
• Philémon Cimon, Philédouche
• Lido Pimienta, Miss Colombia
• Dany Placard, J'connais rien à l'astronomie
• Plants and Animals, The Jungle
• Joel Plaskett, 44 – April 17
• Population II, À la Ô Terre
• MacKenzie Porter, – November 6^[53]
• William Prince, Reliever – February 7^[18]
• William Prince, Gospel First Nation – October 23
• Protest the Hero, Palimpsest – June 18^[30]
• P'tit Belliveau, Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
• Purity Ring, Womb – April 3

Q

• Quin with One N, Out of the Blue

R

• Billy Raffoul, International Hotel
• Allan Rayman, Christian – April 3
• Savannah Ré, Opia
• Regina Gently, Don't Wait to Love Me – September 18^[54]
• Noah Reid, Gemini – May 28
• The Reklaws, Sophomore Slump – October 16^[55]
• Jessie Reyez, Before Love Came to Kill Us – March 27
• Daniel Romano, Content to Point the Way
• Daniel Romano, Dandelion
• Daniel Romano, Forever Love's Fool
• Daniel Romano, Okay Wow
• Daniel Romano, Spider Bite
• Daniel Romano, Super Pollen
• Daniel Romano, Visions of the Higher Dream – March 17^[56]
• Daniel Romano, Daniel Romano's Outfit Do (What Could Have Been) Infidels By Bob Dylan & the Plugz
• Daniel Romano, White Flag
• Rum Ragged, The Thing About Fish

S

• Sam Roberts Band, All Of Us – October 16
• Sargeant X Comrade, Magic Radio – June 20^[57]
• Seaway, Big Vibe – October 16^[58]
• Shabason, Krgovich and Harris, Philadelphia^[59]
• Jairus Sharif, Q4DB (I Can Learn and Honor, Mould, In the Open, Simple)
• Andy Shauf, The Neon Skyline – January 24^[60]
• Crystal Shawanda, Church House Blues – April 17
• Silverstein, A Beautiful Place to Drown – March 6
• Dylan Sinclair, Proverb
• Gord Sinclair, Taxi Dancers – February 28^[61]
• Zal Sissokho, Kora Flamenca
• Dallas Smith, Timeless – August 28^[62]
• Arielle Soucy, Shame and Waterway
• Souldia, Silence radio and Backstage
• Storry, CH III: The Come Up
• Storry, Interlude-19
• Summersets, Small Town Saturday^[63]

T

• Julian Taylor, The Ridge – June 19
• Theory of a Deadman, Say Nothing – January 31
• Tobi, ELEMENTS Vol. 1 – October 21

U

• U.S. Girls, Heavy Light – March 6
• Terry Uyarak, Nunarjua Isulinginniani – October 30^[64]

V

• Mathew V, Two Faced
• Vagina Witchcraft, Vagina Witchcraft
• Rosie Valland, Blue
• Vile Creature, Glory, Glory! Apathy Took Helm!
• Vision Eternel, For Farewell of Nostalgia – September 14

W

• Rufus Wainwright, Unfollow the Rules – July 10^[30]
• Colter Wall, Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs – August 28^[65]
• We Are the City, RIP – January 24^[30]
• Ruby Waters, If It Comes Down to It
• Weaves, TBA^[30]
• The Weeknd, After Hours – March 20^[18]
• WHOOP-Szo, Warrior Remixes
• Wild Rivers, Songs to Break Up To
• JJ Wilde, Ruthless
• Witch Prophet, DNA Activation – March 24
• Wolf Parade, Thin Mind – January 24^[66]
• Donovan Woods, Without People – November 6^[67]
• Roy Woods, Dem Times – May 15
• Hawksley Workman, Less Rage More Tears – October 23

Y

• Jonah Yano, Souvenir
• Nikki Yanofsky, Turn Down the Sound – July 10
• Yukon Blonde, Vindicator – November 13

Z

• Zen Bamboo, Glu
• Zoon, Bleached Wavves^[68]

Deaths

• January 7 – Neil Peart, 67, drummer for Rush^[69]
• February 1 – George Blondheim, 63, pianist and composer^[70]
• March 7 – Laura Smith, 67, folk singer-songwriter^[71]
• April 4 – Barry Allen, rock singer
• May 12 – Renée Claude, 80, pop singer ("Tu trouveras la paix", "C'est toi, c'est moi, c'est lui, c'est nous autres")
• May 26 – Houdini, 21, rapper
• June 26 – Graeme Williamson, rock singer (Pukka Orchestra).^[72]
• August 10 – Salome Bey, 86, blues singer^[73]

Notes and References

1. Philippe Renaud, "La Montréalaise Backxwash remporte le prix Polaris". Le Devoir, October 19, 2020.
2. Web site: Multiple award-winning country music artist Don Amero has released a new album The Next Chapter on the heels of his other successes. Nanci. Dagg. November 19, 2020. Canadian Beats Media. October 1, 2020.
3. Brock Thiessen, "Arkells Strip Down for New Album 'Campfire Chords'". Exclaim!, July 30, 2020.
4. Web site: Love, Heartbreak, & Everything in Between by Tenille Arts. Emily. Brazis. Roots Magazine. December 23, 2020.
5. Oliver Crook, "Aquakultre Cement Their 'Legacy' as Canadian Neo-Soul Breakouts". Exclaim!, May 5, 2020.
6. Matt Bobkin, "Aquakultre and Uncle Fester Announce New Album 'Bleeding Gums Murphy'". Exclaim!, August 12, 2020.
7. Allie Gregory, "Hear Austra Join Forces with a Toronto Children's Choir on 'Mountain Baby'". Exclaim!, April 16, 2020.
8. Scott Simpson, "Backxwash Turns Hip-Hop on Its Head with Masterful 'God Has Nothing to Do with This Leave Him Out of It'". Exclaim!, May 28, 2020.
9. Stuart Berman, "Badge Époque Ensemble, Self Help". Pitchfork, November 21, 2020.
10. Angela Morrison, "Bahamas' 'Sad Hunk' Lives Up to Its Name". Exclaim!, October 8, 2020.
11. Web site: Tim Baker Unveils 'Survivors' EP. May 20, 2020. Allie Gregory. Exclaim!. en-ca.
12. André Péloquin, "Daniel Bélanger fait son cinéma". Le Journal de Montréal, October 3, 2020.
13. Josée Lapointe, "Lisa LeBlanc et son alter ego disco-bingo". La Presse, June 14, 2020.
14. Kaelen Bell, "'Encounter' Shows Beyries' Hunger for Discovery". Exclaim!, November 13, 2020.
15. Web site: Dean Brody: Boys . FYI Music News . November 22, 2020 . November 24, 2020 . Doole, Kerry.
16. Vish Khanna, "Bruce Peninsula's 'No Earthly Sound' Marks a Stunning Return from the Toronto Art-Folk Collective". Exclaim!, April 20, 2020.
17. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1745873/roxane-bruneau-chanteuse-adisq-acrophobie-nouvel-album "Après la Dysphorie, l’Acrophobie de Roxane Bruneau"
18. https://www.cbc.ca/music/25-canadian-albums-to-look-forward-to-in-2020-1.5390592 "25 Canadian albums to look forward to in 2020"
19. Web site: Caribou Announces New Album Suddenly, Shares New Song "You and I": Listen . Minsker . Evan . December 4, 2019 . . December 4, 2019.
20. News: CARYS Announces Anyone Like Me EP and Releases 'Crush' Single. Stage Right Secrets. August 28, 2020. August 29, 2020. Jacklyn.
21. Rachel Evangeline Chong, "Casey MQ Celebrates and Interrogates the Glamour of '90s Boy Band Pop on 'babycasey'". Exclaim!, August 17, 2020.
22. Alex Robert Ross, "Jennifer Castle shares “Justice” and announces new album Monarch Season". The Fader, September 16, 2020.
23. Sarah Murphy, "Rose Cousins Reveals New Album 'Bravado'". Exclaim!, November 7, 2019.
24. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1741953/cri-musique-electronique-album-juvenile-daniel-belanger "CRi lance Juvenile, un premier album 100 % québécois"
25. Stuart Derdeyn, "5 things to know about Someone New by Helena Deland". Vancouver Sun, October 13, 2020.
26. Jesse Kinos-Goodin, "Listen to 2 songs from Gord Downie's final solo recording, Away is Mine". CBC Music, September 21, 2020.
27. Steve Horowitz, "‘Alive’ Showcases the Two Sides of Fred Eaglesmith and Tif Ginn". PopMatters, November 12, 2020.
28. Web site: Jade Eagleson Album Review & 5 Quick Questions. Joshua. Murray. Trish. Cassling. The Reviews Are In. July 24, 2020.
29. Jonathan Bernstein, "Kathleen Edwards Left Behind Roots-Music Stardom to Sell Coffee. Now She’s Back". Rolling Stone, May 19, 2020.
30. Alex Hudson, "Exclaim!'s 31 Most Anticipated Canadian Albums of 2020". Exclaim!, January 6, 2020.
31. Lindsay Ell Details New Album, 'Heart Theory' . Rolling Stone . June 26, 2020.
32. Calum Slingerland, "Elliott Brood Return with New Album 'Keeper'". Exclaim!, July 8, 2020.
33. Brock Thiessen, "Sarah Harmer Returns with Her First New Album in a Decade". Exclaim!, November 14, 2019.
34. News: Pearce . Drew . High Valley 'Grew Up On That' in New Song, Upcoming EP . April 1, 2020 . Sounds Like Nashville . March 20, 2020.
35. Web site: CANADIAN COUNTRY ARTIST DAVID JAMES DELIVERS NEW EP "IF I WERE YOU", AVAILABLE TODAY (3/13). MDM Recordings Inc.. March 13, 2020.
36. Matt Bobkin, "Japandroids Announce New Live Album 'Massey Fucking Hall'". Exclaim!, May 27, 2020.
37. Web site: CARLY RAE JEPSEN RELEASES SURPRISE ALBUM 'DEDICATED SIDE B'. Rolling Stone. May 21, 2020.
38. Allie Gregory, "Jerry Cans Unveil New Album 'Echoes,' Plot North American Tour". Exclaim!, January 22, 2020.
39. Allie Gregory, "July Talk Announce New Record 'Pray for It'". Exclaim!, April 2, 2020.
40. Web site: Brett Kissel Plots New Year's Release of 'Now Or Never' Album . Sounds Like Nashville . December 24, 2019 . April 29, 2020 . Parton, Chris.
41. Alex Hudson, "Dan Mangan Releases Covers Album 'Thief'". Exclaim!, November 20, 2020.
42. Web site: Cory Marks Debuts Long Awaited Next Generation Country Rock Record 'Who I Am'. Billboard. Dave. Brooks. August 11, 2020.
43. Oliver Crook, "Matt Mays' 'Dog City' Turns a Corny Concept into a Heartwarming Experiment". Exclaim!, May 22, 2020.
44. Vijai Kumar Singh, "Jon McKiel Communes with Ghosts on Postmodern Masterpiece 'Bobby Joe Hope'". Exclaim!, April 27, 2020.
45. Web site: Nanci. Dagg. Tyler Joe Miller released his debut album Sometimes I Don't, But Sometimes I Do with two songs reaching #1 at Canadian country radio. Canadian Beats Media. November 7, 2020. January 8, 2021.
46. Eric Volmers, "Lethbridge roots musician Ryland Moranz's sophomore record mixes the personal, political and universal". Calgary Herald, February 5, 2021.
47. Laura Stanley, "Former Mauno Member Eliza Niemi Is Subtly Unpredictable on 'Glass' EP". Exclaim!, April 21, 2020.
48. Sarah Chodos, "Toronto's NYSSA Subverts Traditions on 'Girls Like Me'". Exclaim!, August 20, 2020.
49. Calum Slingerland, "The OBGMs Detail New Album 'The Ends'". Exclaim!, August 12, 2020.
50. Mike Devlin, "Local duo finds momentum during the pandemic" . Victoria Times-Colonist, November 5, 2021.
51. Matt Wallock, "Ocie Elliott Return to Their Acoustic Roots on ‘Tracks’" . American Songwriter, July 16, 2020.
52. Ian Gormely, "Partner 'Never Give Up' on Their Quest to Share the Power of Rock Music". Exclaim!, November 18, 2020.
53. Web site: On the rise: Alberta's MacKenzie Porter gets married, releases Nashville debut, Drinkin' Songs. The Telegram . Eric. Volmers. November 11, 2020. December 21, 2020.
54. Vish Khanna, "Regina Gently Channels the Joy of 'Electric Circus' on 'Don't Wait to Love Me'". Exclaim!, September 23, 2020.
55. Web site: Katie. Colley. The Reklaws Debut New Album 'Sophomore Slump', Drop New Music Video For 'Not Gonna Not'. https://web.archive.org/web/20201020112401/https://etcanada.com/news/703343/the-reklaws-debut-new-album-sophomore-slump-drop-new-music-video-for-not-gonna-not/. dead. October 20, 2020. ET Canada. October 16, 2020.
56. Matt Bobkin, "Daniel Romano Enters Self-Quarantine, Surprise-Releases New Album". Exclaim!, March 17, 2020.
57. Eric Volmers, "Calgary duo Sargeant and Comrade 'dig into the crates' to pay homage to those who came before". SaltWire Network, June 17, 2020.
58. Logan White, "Seaway announce new album, 'Big Vibe' + release title-track". Substream, August 12, 2020.
59. Stuart Berman, "Shabason, Krgovich & Harris: Philadelphia". Pitchfork, November 11, 2020.
60. Allie Gregory, "Andy Shauf Announces New Album 'The Neon Skyline,' Hits Canada on World Tour". Exclaim!, October 23, 2019.
61. David Friend, "Former Tragically Hip bassist Gord Sinclair announces debut solo album Taxi Dancers". The Globe and Mail, January 10, 2020.
62. Web site: Katie. Colley. Dallas Smith Announces New Album 'Timeless', Reveals Tracklisting. ET Canada. Corus Entertainment. August 6, 2020. August 16, 2020. September 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200903200019/https://etcanada.com/news/676612/dallas-smith-announces-new-album-timeless-reveals-tracklisting/. dead.
63. Sarah Chodos, "summersets' 'Small Town Saturday' Is Easy to Fall in Love With". Exclaim!, August 24, 2020.
64. Emma Tranter, "'I'm super Inuk': Nunavut singer Terry Uyarak releases songs in Inuktitut". CBC North, November 15, 2020.
65. Web site: Colter Wall Announces New Album 'Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs' & Shares Single.
66. David Renshaw, "Wolf Parade announce Thin Mind, share new song “Forest Green”". The Fader, November 11, 2019.
67. Jon Freeman, "Donovan Woods Details New Album ‘Without People’". Rolling Stone, August 19, 2020.
68. Josiah Nelson, "Zoon Transcends His Shoegaze Origins on Remarkable Debut 'Bleached Wavves'". Exclaim!, June 16, 2020.
69. Jessica Wong, "Neil Peart, drummer and primary lyricist for Rush, dead at 67". CBC News, January 10, 2020.
70. Cam Tait, "Remembering the brilliant talent of George Blondheim". Edmonton Sun, February 5, 2020.
71. Web site: Laura Smith and her songs to be celebrated by East Coast artists at tribute concert . CTV News . The Canadian Press . 16 May 2021.
72. Calum Slingerland, "R.I.P. Graeme Williamson of Toronto's Pukka Orchestra". Exclaim!, June 26, 2020.
73. https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/singer-salome-bey-known-as-canada-s-first-lady-of-the-blues-dies-at-age-86-1.5058024 "Singer Salome Bey, known as Canada's first lady of the blues, dies at age 86"