Lioness is a three-piece electronic act from Toronto who combine ’80s-influenced alt-rock and 90s electronic music successfully on their five-track self-titled debut EP. Unlike many other Canadian rock bands who have sucked the power and emotion out of their music with their desire to be hip and indie, Lioness is a powerful and bombastic band that oozes energy thanks to killer electronic beats and powerful vocals by lead singer Vanessa Fischer. While the music of Lioness is good, it’s Fischer that makes the band, bellowing and moaning with fierce intensity. Her power lies in the fact that she doesn’t sing like a rock singer, instead she gives songs like the fast-paced “You’re In My Heart” and beat-heavy “Haunted Magick” an funky jazz/blues vibe. If Beth Gibbons from Portishead screamed more, she’d sound like Vanessa Fischer does here. Lioness has crafted quite a tease with this short EP, it will be interesting to see if they can carry it for a full album. (New Romantic)
