Montreal, QC

Somewhere between breezy AM radio jams and dreamily modern bedroom pop lies TOPS, longtime sweethearts of Canada’s indie music scene.

Formed in 2011 by Edmonton-to-Montreal transplants Jane Penny and David Carriere, TOPS quickly found themselves at home on Arbutus Records, the label that helped introduce the world to Grimes and Blue Hawaii. Recorded at La Brique — the loft studio space where they all met — and adding Riley Fleck on drums, their ‘12 debut album Tender Opposites showcased a band dedicated to lo-fi disco grooves and artsy indie noise. As the BBC put it, “There’s something about these songs that will tempt you back time and time again.”

Their follow-up album Picture You Staring added a shimmer of vintage soft rock sheen to an already-eclectic sound. It earned accolades from Pitchfork, and was listed by Stereogum as one of the best albums of 2014. The band put some serious miles in as well, touring and playing around 100 shows by the end of 2015. 

After temporarily relocating to Los Angeles, TOPS released their third album Sugar at the Gate in 2017. Marta Cikojevic joined as keyboardist that same year, adding a crucial element of sonic etherealness to the now-quartet’s complex sound. I Feel Alive came three years later, delivering Harry Nilsson-style arrangements accompanied by Jay Som-esque production and complete with Penny’s warm vibrato (and flute skills!). This one was released on their own label, Musique TOPS.

The 2022 EP Empty Seats represents a further evolution, fusing yacht rock and synthed-out new wave with a bittersweet touch. They’ve toured the world and explored many sonic highways, and now Sled Island brings TOPS back to the prairies from whence they came.