Toronto Synth-Punk Outfit Slash Need Announces Debut Album With New Single "Double Dare"

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Slash Need (left Dusty Lee, right Alex Low) via Bandcamp

For those reckoning with the perils of playing nice, Toronto industrial performance art outfit Slash Need dares you to talk back. Earlier this week, the group—composed of leather-clad ringmaster Dusty Lee, electro-synth kingpin Alex Low and their charismatic entourage of gogo dancers—invited us to feast on “Double Dare”, the first offering from their to-be-released debut Sit and Grin, scheduled to arrive this fall. 

An explosive exploration of the emotional turmoil caused by feeling unheard in a friendship, “Double Dare” delivers both bark and bite. Evolving from a drawling lament to a vicious retaliation, Lee’s controlled aggression, paired with Low’s slithering bass-driven modulations, chart a crowded, spiralling internal monologue inspired by a fraught friendship dynamic past its expiration date: “Do you ever just shut up? / Why don’t you let me talk? / I double dog, double dog dare you to!” 

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Slash Need via Bandcamp

“Double Dare” arrives with an accompanying music video, impressively crafted with zero budget in collaboration with friends of the band Katerina Zoumboulakis and Lea Rose Sebastianis, and edited by Chris Levett. In Slash Need’s signature camp meets triple-X style, the “Double Dare” video sees vocalist Lee blowing off steam with shapeshifting insecurities looking over their shoulder. Carrying the weight of their conflict from day to night, through alleys and over highways, Lee eventually summons enough confidence to bare their blackened teeth and apply lip gloss in the face of betrayal. 

Steadfast in their artistic commitment to reclaim personal autonomy, Slash Need asserts that “Double Dare” defines a new era for the group; “one that will demand that people listen.” 

Watch the video for “Double Dare” ahead of Slash Need’s performance at Ottawa’s Side By Side Weekend on Friday, July 25th, 2025 at Club SAW.

Slash Need

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify

Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (she/her) is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of Also Cool Mag. Aside from the mag, she is a music promoter & booker, and a radio host & DJ.

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Tame Werewolf Releases Italo Disco Inspired Track "5th Wave"

Blast off into the synth-wave world of Tame Werewolf, the electronic artist from Tehran, Iran blending J-Pop and Italo Disco.

Tame Werewolf's discography evokes 80s anime late-night aesthetics, the upbeat melodies of early Nintendo soundtracks, and granular sounds of old-school-style arcade games. He creates a unique retro electronic sound by incorporating space-synth, Italo-Disco, City Pop, vaporwave and Eurobeat influences.

Formed in 2018 by Keivan Hosseini, Tame Werewolf has since released two albums, and now his latest single, "5th Wave." Being raised as an only child, Keivan picked the keyboard as his best friend and began his exploration of music with early Persian pop, Jean-Michel Jarre, Giorgio Moroder and Koto.

He later took inspiration from Yellow Magic Orchestra and the 16-bit-age of Yuzo Koshiro, as well as the indie electro-pop of the 2010s, like M83, Hot Chip and Crystal Castles. The video game influences came in 2017 while playing “Streets of Rage,” sparking a deep dive into 80s inspired genres, eventually leading him to the Synth Wave world.

Tame Werewolf makes easy fans of those familiar with Tatsuro Yamashita, Khruangbin, and those chill-wave compilations on YouTube. We recommend starting with "Phasermania," "Lost in Lush Heavens," and "5th Wave."

Tame Werewolf

Instagram I Bandcamp

Malaika Astorga is the Co-Founder & Creative Director of Also Cool. She is a Mexican-Canadian visual artist, writer, and social media strategist currently based in Montreal.

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