Kitchener-Waterloo

3 Ontario releases you need to hear in 2016

We're ringing in the new year on 'In the Key of C' by taking a look at some of the releases we're most excited for in 2016.

Listen to 'In the Key of C' Saturday evenings on CBC Radio

We're ringing in the new year on 'In the Key of C' by taking a look at some of the releases we're most excited for in 2016.

Happy New Year from CBC Radio One's In the Key of C!

On this week's episode of the show, host Craig Norris spoke with CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's Amanda Grant about the new material she's most looking forward to hearing in 2016. 

Her top music picks range from '80s-style dance tracks to punk rock anthems. 

You can hear the show live every Saturday evening at 5 p.m. on CBC Radio. In the Key of C can be heard across the province, except for the GTA. Toronto and Hamilton listeners can hear this week's segment in the audio player above.

Here are Amanda's most anticipated releases of 2016:

PUP - Dark Days

Toronto punk rock outfit PUP is ramping up to release its sophmore album this year after two years of non-stop touring across Europe, North America and Australia. 

In between all those tour dates, PUP managed to squeeze in time to record a new album. To get you in the mood for it— this is a track off their self-titled release from 2014, titled "Dark Days".

West Nile - Turnt 2 Cult

"Turnt 2 Cult" is a song by London, Ont., electro-pop duo West Nile. 

The band spent 2015 releasing '80s-influenced danceable singles, so here's hoping 2016 brings an EP from the group. 

This song features dreamy vocals and a drum machine beat that's sure to get your feet moving. 

Lowlands - Run

It's been a few years since we've heard anything from Guelph's Lowlands, but they're planning a new album for 2016. 

"Run" is a song off the record titled Erie, and features front man Gordon Auld's lilting voice, and gritty guitar riffs. 

The song hasn't been released yet, but while you wait, watch the band perform its song "First Kill" off its album Huron