Toronto-based Electronic artist, Sydney Blu announced her latest record, Conviction, has been nominated for “Electronic Album of the Year” at the 2022 Juno Awards on May 15.
Sydney receives this honor less than a year after she successfully campaigned and convinced the awards ceremony to add the “Underground Dance Single of the Year” category, of which she is now the Chair. It will shine a light on other talented underground electronic artists in Canadian nightclubs for years to come. Sydney Blu’s expertise, success, and activism have earned her coverage on CBC, CTV, The Toronto Star, CP24, Canadian Press, and more.
While Conviction was released a year ago, the electric album has been on steady rotation on radio and notably featured on CBC Music’s The Strombo Show with George Stroumboulopoulos, Sirius XM Radio, BBC Radio 1, CBC Music, and more. It has also risen to the top of the Beatport Top 10 in multiple genres, and a few of its singles have been added to Spotify Editorial Playlists like Housework, Friday Cratediggers, MINT Canada, New Music Canada, Organica, and Electronic Rising. Going beyond commercial success, Conviction has also been critically praised in many other outlets.
Conviction is a masterfully constructed electronic album that hooks the listener up with a need to get down. It was released March 12, 2021, through Sydney’s own record label, Blu Music, and the 15 tracks feature a variety of synths, percussion loops, and ambient vocals. She uses them to build and release tension, deliver earworm melodies and channel an almost non-stop flow of energy. The album’s lead single, “Monologue,” is reminiscent of classic 1980s electronic music, and the album goes on to reflect years of Sydney’s experience mastering beats and making music flow seamlessly.
“I wrote Conviction in Berlin Germany and then finished it in Canada. The album is a labor of love for me and what kept me sane and creative during the pandemic. I’m really grateful to be nominated after working on this album for album 3 years“
While Sydney put out Conviction through her own label, she has released other music with some of the most recognizable record labels in the world, such as Hot Since 82’s Knee Deep in Sound, Steve Lawler’s Viva Music, Desert Hearts Records, Deadmau5’s Mau5trap, Josh Butler’s ORIGINS RCRDS and more.