We can keep this short: the new EP from Shiv and the Carvers is fast, catchy and irresistible. The band has been building momentum since the release of their debut EP Physical Capital in 2023: they put in the work, playing regularly around the Toronto area in 2023 and 2024, and eventually landed an opening spot for Lambrini Girls at The Garrison last fall.
At the end of January, the band released the single and video for “Danger Girl” (above), a sing-along skate-punk love song to a bad influence, kind of the flipside to the lead track “Brat” from Physical Capital. The video features cameos from bands featured here before, plus icon Bif Naked who has been doing this since the 90s.
Tell Me You Love Me Again is their first release with Twin Fang Records, and the first with new bassist Annie Jane Marie (formerly of Dilly Dally). It’s only four tracks, but a couple of them show the band trying out slightly a different vibe than we’ve heard before.
“Meltdown” is one: is a slower, grungier thing than anything from their prior catalogue. Shiv’s trademark snarl is ever-so-slightly tamed and the song is nearly 5 minutes long — a true epic for the foursome:
The slower pace extends to EP’s closer. “I Want It All” is another 90s throwback — an ode to overindulgence, it’s strongly reminiscent of 90s acts like L7 and Veruca Salt:
In this interview with Range, Shiv notes that they’re almost done writing their debut album. With the new addition to the lineup and the reputation they’ve gained in the Toronto music scene, it’s something worth keeping an eye out for.
