By Taryn McElheran, Canadian Beats

Album: Port Cities
Release Date: February 10, 2017
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Genre: Pop

I hadn’t heard of Port Cities before and after the very first song off of their new self-titled debut album, I immediately regretted it. From the first beat and the first lyric to the very last song, I enjoyed every second from start to end. According to the band, a port city is a place where cultures and histories collide, where goods and ideas are imported. What once started out as a songwriting circle, since turned into a full-fledged musical work of art hailing all the way from the east coast.

Port Cities can be best described as a mix of east coast culture and indie flare. Each song on their self-titled debut is an individual masterpiece. Every song brings something different to the table but still manages to meld into one cohesive album. The lyrics are well-thought out and meaningful and the music behind the words speaks even more to what they are trying to accomplish. I love the fact that they don’t just stick to one genre of music. With a mix of more traditional sounds you’d find from artists who originate from the east coast of Canada and sounds that border country, indie and even a little that could be classified as pop-anthems, you get an eclectic mix of music that pleases the ears.

The song that stuck out to me most was their track “Astronaut”. It’s a whimsical song about childhood and dreaming out loud but also the harsh reality of growing up and realizing life isn’t always as it seems. It’s a beautifully done song with a sad undertone. You can’t help but enjoy every moment though as it’s one of those songs that you can’t help but relate to. [READ MORE]