Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 19, 2026

Cold Specks

Cold Specks is the stage name of Somali Canadian singer-songwriter Ladan Hussein, who was previously known as Al Spx. Her music has been described as doom-soul. The name Cold Specks is taken from a line in James Joyce's Ulysses.

Last revised
Jul 19, 2026
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≈ 2 min
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Cold Specks
Also known asAl Spx
Born
Ladan Hussein

Toronto
Genres
Occupationartist
Years active2011–present
LabelsMute/EMI Records (world except Canada)
Arts & Crafts/EMI Records (Canada)

Cold Specks is the stage name of Somali Canadian singer-songwriter Ladan Hussein,1 who was previously known as Al Spx.2 Her music has been described as doom-soul. The name Cold Specks is taken from a line in James Joyce's Ulysses ("Born all in the dark wormy earth, cold specks of fire, evil lights shining in the darkness.").

She released her debut album, I Predict a Graceful Expulsion, on May 21, 2012, on Mute Records and Arts & Crafts in Canada.3 The album was a short-listed nominee for the 2012 Polaris Music Prize.4

Her second album, Neuroplasticity, was released on August 26, 2014.5 It featured trumpet playing by Ambrose Akinmusire and backing vocals from Michael Gira of Swans, was supported in part by selected dates opening for Sufjan Stevens on his Carrie & Lowell Tour,6 and was long-listed for the 2015 Polaris Music Prize.7 Her third album, Fool's Paradise, followed in 2017.8

Following Fool's Paradise, Hussein suffered a mental-health breakdown and underwent several months of treatment at Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, where she was diagnosed with schizophrenia.9 In 2025 she released Light for the Midnight, her first full-length album since her health issues.10 It was long-listed for the 2025 Polaris Music Prize.11

Albums

Singles

  • 2011: "Holland"
  • 2012: "Winter Solstice"
  • 2012: "Blank Maps"
  • 2012: "Hector"
  • 2014: "Absisto"
  • 2015: "Bodies at Bay"
  • 2017: "Fool's Paradise"
  • 2024: "Wandering in the Wild"

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Nominated work Result
2012 2012 Polaris Music Prize Polaris Music Prize I Predict a Graceful Expulsion Nominated
2013 SiriusXM Indies Awards13 Artist of the Year Cold Specks Nominated
Female Artist of the Year Won
Songwriter of the Year Nominated
Soul/R&B Artist or Group of the Year Nominated
References

References

  1. "How I survived a psychotic break". Toronto Life. May 8, 2019.
  2. Jim Fusilli (November 25, 2014). "Cold Specks' Arresting Mix". Wall Street Journal.
  3. Jayson Greene, "Cold Specks: I Predict a Graceful Expulsion". Pitchfork, May 1, 2012.
  4. Jordan Zivitz, "Cold Speck: A soul singer by any name". Montreal Gazette, August 15, 2012.
  5. Sadiya Ansari, "Polaris-nominated Cold Specks back with second album". CTV News, August 25, 2014.
  6. Beauchemin, Molly (March 11, 2015). "Sufjan Stevens Shares "Should Have Known Better"". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  7. Alex Hudson, "Polaris Music Prize Announces 2015 Long List". Exclaim!, June 16, 2015.
  8. Carly Lewis, "Cold Specks is just warming up". The Globe and Mail, January 10, 2018.
  9. Sarah Murphy, "Cold Specks' Ladan Hussein Opens Up About Living with Schizophrenia". Exclaim!, May 9, 2019.
  10. Richie Assaly, "After a harrowing spiral into darkness, Toronto singer Cold Specks returns with breathtaking comeback album". Toronto Star, April 11, 2025.
  11. Gregory, Allie. "Polaris Music Prize Unveils 2025 Long List, Announces Song Prize". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  12. "CANOE -- JAM! Music - SoundScan Charts". canoe.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  13. "2013 SIRIUSXM INDIE AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED!". SiriusXM INDIES. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
External links