canada Archives : At The Barrier

Paddy Boyle – The Sup; Songs About the Drink: Album Review

By John Barlass on 11th March 2026 • ( Leave a comment )

Irish folk singer Paddy Boyle accomplishes that rarest of things: He’s produced a collection of drinking songs that puts melody and craft before boisterousness. With stunning results…

The Beaches w/ Dea Matrona – O2 Ritz Manchester: Live Review

By Micha Thompson on 13th February 2026 • ( Leave a comment )

Canadian rockers The Beaches kick off the UK leg of their European tour in Manchester with support from Belfast rockers, Dea Matrona.

Gorguts – Considered Dead / The Erosion of Sanity: Album Review

By Dominic Walsh on 16th August 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

Cherry Red/Dissonance reissue the first two albums from Canadian death metallers, Gorguts.

Fortress Festival 2025 Day Two: Live Review

By Dominic Walsh on 2nd June 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

Agalloch headline day two of Fortress Festival; a day where every single band could be the band of the weekend.

PUP – O2 Ritz, Manchester: Live Review

By Harry Hodgson on 13th May 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

Canadian pop-punk outfit PUP made their return to Manchester performing at The Ritz for a night of cathartic live music.

Tallies – Patina: Album Review

By Seuras Og on 29th July 2022 • ( Leave a comment )

Plucky Canadians, Tallies, re-invent the 80’s in a glittering jangle of joy. Their ‘Patina’ album is out on Bella Union.

Clara Engel – Their Invisible Hands: Album Review

By Gareth Allen on 2nd May 2022 • ( Leave a comment )

Their Invisible Hands by Clara Engel is an album you must hear, with its collection of engaging and immersive songs, and excellent musicianship.

Abigail Lapell – Stolen Time: Album Review

By Seuras Og on 22nd April 2022 • ( 1 Comment )

Chameleonic Canadian, Abigail Lapell, weaves a magical web of off kilter charm and retro influences.

Ariana Fig – Taboo: EP Review

By Dominic Walsh on 19th March 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

Canadian singer songwriter Ariana Fig releases her new EP, Taboo. It contains four songs full of warm synths and plenty of 80’s nostalgia.

Why I Love: Clara Engel on Down By Law

By Special Guest on 6th December 2020 • ( Leave a comment )

Clara Engel brings us another first in our Why I Love column as she writes about the influence of a film. Down By Law contains music from Marc Ribot, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni and Tom Waits.