Comet, Modem, Ribbon Skirt and More: Also Cool's POP Montreal Playlist Refresh
A crisp chill lingers in the air long after the sun has come up, which can only mean one thing: POP Montreal is just around the corner. The annual not-for-profit-curated cultural event returns to the Plateau and Mile End neighbourhoods from September 24th-28th, 2025. Celebrating its 24th edition, the festival features film screenings, craft and visual art exhibitions, all ages programming for children and families, and—of course—the main event: live music from international sensations and emerging talents alike.
For a preview of what’s to come from this year’s festival, pop on our Playlist Refresh of new releases from ones-to-watch from the 2025 POP Montreal lineup. Listen along with our playlist on YouTube and Spotify below.
Chanel Beads via POP Montreal
Ahead of his tour with Lorde, (and POP Montreal set, of course), Chanel Beads has released an ethereal rework of LEYA’s “Corners.” Both are New York-based acts, and together they’ve created a sound that feels like something from a dream long ago that’s trying to claw its way back into your memory. With gentle but urging harp, the collaboration draws a strange lineage between the two artists, tying together hissing and gorgeous sound collage with an airtight rap-like pop sensibility.
Chanel Beads plays the Rialto on Friday, September 26th at 9:30pm.
Comet via POP Montreal
NYC neo-grunge singer-songwriter Comet perked up our ears with her newest single “Psychotamer.” Purring guitar lines and buzzing diatone synth cushion Comet’s sultry voice, complimented by the track’s featured artist boysinblush. “Psychotamer” follows the springtime release of Comet’s EP Quitter, and feels reminiscent of moments from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ 2003 masterpiece Fever To Tell.
Comet plays Casa del Popolo on Saturday, September 27th at 8:30pm.
Ribbon Skirt by Ani Harroch
Indie-rock duo Ribbon Skirt grapples with fragments of connection on “LUCKY8.” Fresh from the Polaris stage in Toronto—where Bite Down was shortlisted for the top honour—the band now looks ahead to PENSACOLA, out next Friday via Mint Records. “LUCKY8” is a gritty post-punk aperitif, exposing wounds at the periphery of healing: “I kinda like it here, I wanna stay / You sweep it all away, you swept it all away.”
Join Ribbon Skirt for their artist talk at Clubhouse Rialto on Friday, September 26th from 1:30-2:30pm. The band then plays at La Sotterenea on Saturday, September 27th at 8:30pm.
good flying birds via POP Montreal
good flying birds deliver wholesome home recorded jangle spunk with “Fall Away.” The midwestern twee-punk outfit garnered a cult following from their Rotten Apples-backed debut cassette talulah’s tape, shared this past winter. The fizzy “Fall Away” is on the album’s reissue, set to release digitally and on vinyl shortly after the band’s POP Montreal appearance this coming October.
good flying birds play La Toscadura on Thursday, September 25th at 8:15pm.
Modem via POP Montreal
Helsinki-based synth pop duo Modem will get you dancing with their latest track “Image.” Having paid their dues in the Finnish punk and indie underground (in bands such as Tamara Luonto, Plastic Tones, Kissa, Foreseen and Kohti Tuhoa), Modem channel their love for the synthetic sounds of the 1980s.
Modem plays L’Esco on Sunday, September 28th at 8:30pm.
Slash Need via POP Montreal
Toronto EBM thrill-seekers Slash Need have reimagined their heartracing favourite “Leather”. In comparison to the 2020 Spit Lip EP version, the newly revisited “Leather” refocuses singer Dusty Lee’s delicious domination front and centre, standing tall on the acidic embellishments of synth maestro Alex Low. Unwavering in its motorik thrum, the revisited “Leather” holds a match to the dancefloor in anticipation of the band’s debut long-player Sit and Grin arriving later this fall.
Slash Need plays La Sala Rossa on Thursday, September 25th at 8:00pm.
TUKAN via POP Montreal
Belgian electronic outfit TUKAN released their enrapturing album Human Drift at the start of the year, and they’ve already resurfaced with the glittering new banger “Layover.” Much like the ephemeral nostalgia of “Noranda,” which was released in tribute to their run at FME 2023, the aptly-named “Layover” came together between the band’s extensive touring schedule to freeze a moment in time. The track boasts sharp synth stabs and a drum-forward mix; edgy, murky, and yet jovial in its progression.
TUKAN plays Bar Le Ritz PDB on Thursday, September 25th at 8:30pm.
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