We’ve all known — at one point, in some way — a heartbreaker in a one-horse town… And now, Americana crooner Kelly Pardekooper pays tribute with an infectious mix of sincerity and swagger to the one knockin’ all those local boys down in his new single “Someday Someone,” from his new EP, Autumn – both available now.

“Someday Someone” is a galloping guitar-driven romp along a dusty, dirt-road trail of broken hearts. “A trail of tears to the county line/ Someday, someone/ Is gonna do you like you’ve never been done,” Pardekooper sings with a voice like velvet.

Check out “Someday Someone” on YouTube here:

The narrator isn’t bitter, however, and seems to ultimately regard the heartbreaker’s game-playing as a challenge; the song ends with “Someday someone/ Gonna love you like it’s never been done/ Gonna win you like you’ve never been won.”

Canadian art-rock quartet AUS!Funkt want you to “Set yourself free” with the release of their fiery new single – check it out on YouTube here:

Fresh from their newly landed EP, Human Response, the track offers a straightforward message through its unconventional mash-up of the Toronto-based band’s signature blend of post-punk surf-rock, psychedelia, and electro-funk.

“This song came together pretty quickly, and was one of the first we wrote together as a group,” the band recalls. “Michael Wallace of Preoccupations helped produce this track, and added some percussion and tape-delayed vocal effects.”

Change is hard, letting go is even harder, and often the best way to deal with both is to simply rock. Canadian alt-country band Foreman & Co. know this deep in their bones and it shows on their infectious, head-bopping new single “Sun Still Rises” – check it out YouTube:

Fresh from the Grenville Sur La Rouge, QC-based band’s 2021 nine-track album, Waiting For A Sign, “Sun Still Rises” is a toe-tapping rocker heavy on Americana flavor. It’s got twangy guitars, an easy-rockin’ beat, and it’s full of that push-forward lament that makes country such a great genre for getting through tough times.

“Sun Still rises is the story of letting go, be it a relationship that’s failing, or a band that is collapsing,” the band says.

There are times in life when the past and present collide in such a way as to be surreal, and that’s what Canadian folk-rocker Taze Kozak captures in his new single, “Painted Pistols,” from his new album Paper Airplanes.

“Painted Pistols” evokes a lonely highway long after midnight, the center lines lulling you into near-hypnosis, and the dead of the night taking on its own shape and character.  The Comox Valley, BC-based artist sings with the plain-voiced candor of Johnny Cash over acoustic guitar that alternates between dark and plucky, and the lyrics take us on a journey from gangs fighting in the streets of Los Angeles, to the narrator soaking in a bathtub and drinking whiskey at noon, to a country boy jealous of other men flirting with his wife.

There’s the sense that none of it, and all of it, matters; Kozak describes his state of mind when writing it as: “Feeling strong, weak, helpless, a helper, a father, a loser, a winner, warmth, cold, insight, and outsight.”

There are two kinds of nature: the world around us and the world inside us. After musically addressing our global climate crisis with his most recent single, “Mother Nature,” Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Kalmakoff is turning his attention inward to aspects of human nature with his achingly beautiful interpretation of Jim Cuddy’s “You Be The Leaver”.

Check out “You Be The Leaver” on YouTube here:

An original work by one of the five celebrated Canadian songwriters that Kalmakoff chose to pay homage to on his newest full-length album, Nature, released last November, “You Be The Leaver” is a story of love that faded and two lovers who drifted apart but, to Kalmakoff, it has a bigger scope that opened up some deep self-reflection too.

At any time — but especially now in 2022 — love, support, and inspiration for our fellow human beings can never be in big enough supply. That cup can always use a top-up and, in support of and in tribute to all the amazing Paralympic athletes competing in the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Games, Canadian singer-songwriter Paul DeRosa created powerful new theme songs in both English and French to help propel our competitors toward gold medal glory. “Champion” and “Toucher Les Étoiles” are both available now,

“Champion” on YouTube here:

Both theme songs are part of the coverage for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games on CBC/Radio-Canada, and various streaming platforms, climaxing two years of a creative journey during which the lifelong Toronto musician and songwriter felt a personal renaissance.

Painting a vivid picture of a mysterious figure with profound, drifting thoughts on an open road to nowhere, the psychedelic stylings of Canadian rock trio Of Nature are on full display with the release of their new single, “Midnight Drive” – check it out on YouTube here:

Silky-smooth bass grooves and electrifying guitar riffs transport the listener across a smoky desert highway — the falling sun clear as day in the rearview. The seductive sonic energy on “Midnight Drive” is accompanied by soaring vocals sure to awaken the demons that come out at night.

The twilight enchantment of “Midnight Drive” is greatly enriched by lyrical imagery that tells a story and inspires listeners towards a deeper understanding of our emotions.

The looming questions that plague us all: what do we want for tomorrow? And what happens when today flips over? Canadian rock outfit Neon Bloom seek that same sentiment on their new dark and disco-esque offering, “A Bullet In Tomorrow.”

Check out “A Bullet In Tomorrow” on YouTube here:

An uptempo, electronica-fused rock anthem exploring the macabre uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring, the song arrives from their recent sophomore EP, Still Life. In it, the Toronto-based group lushly score an undeniable truth behind an undeniable groove, and the result is non-fiction prose on possibility — or lack thereof.

“Lyrically, it’s meant to question the type of future we want to live in,” the band explains, adding it was largely inspired by the pandemic, the effects of overconsumption, our treatment of animals and our planet, and the consequences of this behaviour.

Inspired by the romantic hymn composed by Consuelo Velázquez in the 40’s, MC Pipo and Doc Filo create a sultry dance between modern production and a love story as old as time itself with the release of their new single, “Bésame Mucho” – check it out on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/kWC855R1ge0

It all started in 1995 when two young rappers with similar ambitions and a deep-rooted passion for music were introduced to Bolero — a bittersweet yet alluring collection of love songs influenced primarily by Spanish musical styles. The constant struggle these two faced on their journey to become successful rappers is metaphoric for the struggle people go through to find love — and the faith they put into the life they are aiming to create with a significant other.

Years can pass. Time can slip by. But not for you and that one friend. The one who’s there till the end. And with the release of his new single, Mississauga, ON-based folk-roots rocker Matt Zaddy perfectly sums up that relationship in “A Dear Friend” – check it out on YouTube here:

The pandemic threatened to destroy relationships the world over. But Matt Zaddy understands what it means to hold onto those sacred; the ones who we treasure deep inside our hearts. “A Dear Friend” is a song that surmises the importance of keeping our loved ones close — even in distance, isolation, or time apart.

“This song has been very special to me for since the day I wrote it,” Zaddy explains, adding, “I was thinking about how my best friends in my 20s were people I played music with and, when the band we were in together ended, we didn’t see each other nearly as much as any of us would like.

There will be nothing you’d rather do than “Stay” when you take a spin on the latest song from Canadian singer/songwriter Frances Hope and her new single – check it out on YouTube here:

The ethereal, whimsical, pop-injected rock offering lands like a magical soundscape lulling you like a lullaby — pleading with you to remain just where you are, and as you are, as you listen. The track penned by the Edmonton-born, Victoria-based indie songstress is a majestic insight to yearning, needing; imploring of pure human desire that begins as need as it builds to self-sufficiency.

Chin Injeti’s new song “YUH” feels like warm air and blooming fields, almost as if winter is ending and a new wave of spring is preparing to unfurl itself. In other words, exactly as the JUNO and GRAMMY Award-contributing winning producer intended it to be…

Featuring Iman Wamboi for the lead vocals, “YUH” — available now — infuses Injeti’s passion for funk and boogie music into a fresh-feeling classic-in-the-making. “I was trying to elicit the feeling of springtime and endless possibilities,” Injeti shares. “Something that could usher in the feeling of seasons changing; I think we achieved this with Iman Wamboi’s voice and her overall vibe as a creator.”

Check out  Chin Injeti - YUH (feat. Iman Wamboi) [Official Video] on YouTube here:

Rock ‘n’ Roll will certainly never die as long as there are new talented and exciting artists fueling the flames. Enter alt-rock outfit The Boys & I, poised to add some serious combustibility to the Canadian hard rockers club with their new single, “White Hot” – check it out on YouTube:

As the first riff of “White Hot” hits with a wallop, it’s immediately apparent that this Kitchener, Ontario-based four-piece means big rock business. Then, when lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist James Blacktop digs into “You’ve got the passion, you’ve got the fire”, it’s signed, sealed, and delivered, baby.

What’s this song about? What a lot of fast and furious rock songs are about — and rightfully so.

Through an atmospheric and groove-laden lens, Métis alt-rocker Steve Neville parses the perseverance of the human spirit with the release of his new single, “Going Home.”

Check out “Going Home” on YouTube here:

The song’s cover art faces a freight train head-on; apt, considering the single lands ahead of the artist’s raw and vulnerable forthcoming album, Off Track, detailing his journey surviving cancer.

“Off Track documents the trajectory of my illness, from my time in the ICU to being discharged after receiving my stem cell transplant,” Neville explains — adding that the tracks dive deep into his darkest moments, spinning together stories of spending five months in hospital, let alone during a pandemic and with an infant son at home who he was unable to see.

Bridging the gap between old and new, traditional and modern, and classic and contemporary is always a challenge — especially in the constantly changing soundscape of the music world. Multi-GRAMMY, Latin GRAMMY, and JUNO Award-nominated contributing drummer, composer, and producer Marito Marques passionately rose to that challenge with respect and ingenuity on his new album A Ponte (The Bridge), and its rapturous new single, “Amor Ao Longe” (Love in the Distance) – give a listen on YouTube here:

Featuring two of Portugal’s most celebrated new voices, MARO, a solo artist who also performs with multi-GRAMMY winning UK artist Jacob Collier, and Salvador Sobral, the winner of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, “Amor Ao Longe” is a spellbinding, romantic journey of longing.

Featuring Americana-roots sensibilities and solid songwriting, folk singer/songwriter Laura Brino returns after a 13-year hiatus with a new album, No More Surprises. Featuring a deep sense of maturity and grounding, it arrives alongside new single, “All I Need” – check it out on YouTube here:

After two years of being isolated, Brino’s new 11-song LP delivers not only the same signature breathy vocals and narrative songwriting as on albums past, but also comfort after time away and of uncertainty.

Supported by a rich array of Americana-inspired instrumentation such as fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and slide guitar, No More Surprises unveils a sentiment Brino is familiar with; having spent her life finding healing through music and art, the Annapolis, Maryland-based artist dedicates her life’s work to provide that same kind of healing to everyone around her.

Everyone can agree childhood years are a full-on, multi-sensory experience with much time spent in the pursuit of pure, unadulterated fun. In celebration of such, Winnipeg’s children’s music innovator James Culleton releases his high-energy new anthem, “Superfun.”

Check out “Superfun” on YouTube here:

Fresh from Culleton’s forthcoming album of the same name, the release builds on the folk/roots artist’s first children’s offering, Unusual Friendships (2020), where he created a multi-sensory experience for the ears, eyes, mind, and heart.

And builds, he does; “Superfun” roars out of the backyard gate with a title track and lead single that sets the garage rockin’ tone for the ultimate, all-day playdate. With joyfully raucous guitar work from revered guitarist/producer Grant Siemens (Corb Lund, Del Barber), “Superfun'' cranks the volume all the way up to the top for glee.

Chris Cachia brings the heat as he channels old-school MC energy mixed with modern hip-hop production technique with the release of his most recent song, “Abundant Bank” – check it out on YouTube:

Chris Cachia is a Canadian music-maker and word-shaper who draws inspiration from the golden-age of hip-hop that would focus on lyricism. Often addressing social issues through his storytelling, Cachia aims to call upon the power, and pleasure, that language has when in the right hands.

Cachia jumps right into his newest LP with a boom-bap track. Fueled by the fire embedded in Cachia’s flow and wordsmithing, “Abundant Bank” goes hard. Mixing personal struggles and triumphs into the fire creates a startling yet inviting aura that can only be found crowding around a roaring bonfire.

Performed by Bobby Cameron and written by Jamie Oppenheimer, “White Car” is an auditory road trip and you’re invited along for the ride!

The song is what Oppenheimer refers to as in-part autobiographical; inspired by the first car he ever drove, he says this track represents the freedom and escape of getting behind the wheel of his mother’s 1968 Buick Skylark convertible

Ignition turned, and brakes released; in one spin of the track, you’re transported to the open highway, Wayfarers blocking out the sun, and the music washing you down the road.

Check out “White Car”on YouTube here:

“Generally, I gave Bobby the freedom to interpret the songs as he saw fit, and I think he did a great job,” Oppenheimer says. “As the album Songs From Room 421 evolved, we both knew that, as musicians and songwriters, we were going to be as proud of the work in 10 years as we are now.”

TORONTO – BENY ESGUERRA and NEW TRADITION MUSIC’s current album Northside KUISi Vol 3 (Lulaworld Records) has been nominated for Global Music Album of the Year in the 2022 JUNO Awards, to be held in Toronto on May 15^th. Esguerra and his band are celebrating their JUNO nomination with the launch of a three-part mini-documentary on the making of the album. For more information please visit any of the links below and on the website here: https://www.newtraditionmusic.com/

On Northside KUISi Vol 3, Beny Esguerra and New Tradition Music incorporate hip-hop elements such as beatboxing, emceeing/spoken-word and turntablism with Colombian Afro-Indigenous música-de-gaita, champeta and modern cumbia. As with the previous two volumes, the current album delivers an urgent call for justice, environmental healing, and respect for ancestors and land treaties.