HomeNew ReleasesAlbum StreamsNo Frills' new album 'Downward Dog' is 'a distillation of unceding...

No Frills’ new album ‘Downward Dog’ is ‘a distillation of [their] unceding fear’

Toronto bummer pop outfit No Frills have shared their debut album, Downward Dog.

When Toronto shut down in the spring of 2020, songwriter Daniel Busheikin began working on demos for Downward Dog. Writing with guitars, vintage synths, and a slew of guitar pedals, Busheikin made the footprint for fifteen tracks. The lo-fi pop record looks at “themes of depression, despair, and death through a sardonic sense of humour,” according to a press release.

Downward Dog is, I hope, a fun and sad pop record with a deliberate irreverence,” No Frills’ Daniel Busheikin explains. “For me, it’s also a distillation of my unceding fear, cynicism, joylessness, self-loathing, existential dread and my other day-to-day hang-ups, and basically captures my entire life experience with comprehensive totality. Yes, I know that’s melodramatic, but I’m not trying to be heavy here! This project has actually brought me a lot of peace. Maybe it’ll even bring you some, too.”

Stream Downward Dog below.
 

Downward Dog Tracklist:

01 – “Welcome…!”
02 – “Save the Bees”
03 – “Ice Cream Cone”
04 – “Darkhorse”
05 – “Drip”
06 – “Copy Cat”
07 – “I Don’t Wanna Be Your Dog Anymore”
08 – “Thrasher”
09 – “Common Folk”
10 – “New Medication”
11 – “Down For The Count”
12 – “Terrycloth and Dirt”
13 – “Everything Will Become Better”
14 – “Pancake”
 
Made up of members of Hooded Fang, Twist, Rapport, and Grounders, No Frills make warm, lo-fi tunes that are reminiscent of ’50s crooners and early ’60s pop.

While the album is quite cohesive, it explores a bunch of different sounds, from the ’50s crooner sound of “Ice Cream Cone” to the lullabye closer, “Pancake.” Downward Dog features previously released singles “I Don’t Wanna Be Your Dog Anymore” and “Darkhorse.”

No Frills are headed out on tour. Check out the dates below.
 

No Frills Tour Dates:

^ with Louie Short, DJ Ducks Ltd, and Special Guests
* with Dorothea Paas and Poolblood

Apr 16 – Toronto, ON – The Monarch ^
May 18 – Toronto, ON – The Garrison *

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