With the ongoing pandemic still affecting the world, it can be easy to despair and feel like you will never be able to enjoy life again. Yet even though some things have changed, there are certain experiences that remain the same. This feeling of gratitude is captured in Oakville, ON country pop singer Jamie McRoberts' new single "Just Like I Remember," the first song released from her upcoming debut album, Bring Me Your ‘A’ Game, both out now.

Check out ‘Just Like I Remember” on YouTube here:

“The Well of Friendship"

Brandon, MB-born, Toronto-based lyrical wizard and music magician Doug MacNaughton delivers a new pop-infused indie folk song, 'The Well Of Friendship,' out now. Check it out on YouTube now:

 Originally from Brandon, Manitoba, MacNaughton's spark for music began when he first heard Mike Oldfield's 1973 album Tubular Bells. Fascinated by Oldfield's ability to perform every instrument, MacNaughton found this multi-instrumentalist songwriting adventure something he would love to pursue.

Armed with a background in performing and a love for all things rock and jazz, MacNaughton began to develop his songwriting talent five years ago, leading him to be a regular face in and around the Toronto music scene. MacNaughton is now to release his first 8-track album in 2023.

Almost every person has a point in their lives when someone makes them feel like they can't do something because of their gender, race, or another trait that is part of who they are. When this happens, sometimes the right song can rally the spirit and give you the courage to prove people wrong. This is the case with Mississauga, ON country- rock singer Bree Taylor and her bold new single "Dauntless", co-written with multiple #1 Billboard Country Chart songwriter Styles Haury. Check it out on YouTube here:

The song opens with some strong country-rock riffs from Taylor's backing band that establish the song's power. Then, Taylor's steadfast vocals come in as she sings and tells people not to underestimate her. The empowering message hits particularly hard once the chorus comes in.

To keep fighting despite difficult odds can be hard for the everyday person, but even harder for those involved in the military. Enter the Regina, Saskatchewan- based rock band Arcana Kings as they sing for the troops in their new single, "Soldier On". Check it out on YouTube here:

 The song's opening is heralded with an impressive use of bagpipes by lead vocalist John McCuaig before the electric guitar kicks in. By the song's first verse, the electric guitar takes over and adds a toughness that matches the gruffness of McCuaig's vocals. Before the chorus kicks in, this verse and the next two discuss the hardships that the soldiers endure as they fight for freedom.

"We say goodbye to our brothers and our sisters
As we march in a far away land
The only way is to head into the fire
We fight for freedom when we make our stand"

With 10-million streams across her socials, Matilde G continues to give fans and media a new knockout punch with her latest single "Fighter”. Check it out on YouTube here:

 The song is already making waves for its powerful message of hope and determination. With soaring vocals and a catchy beat, "Fighter" is sure to resonate with anyone who has struggled with mental health issues and is looking for a way to fight back.

World music group AL QAHWA ENSEMBLE will release their fourth album WEYN ALLAH (Where is God?) officially on June 1stand will celebrate the release with a live concert at Toronto’s Tranzac Club on Sunday, June 18, 2023 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Formed in Cleveland, Ohio as a vehicle for singer/songwriter Kevin Bianchi, Vanishing Shores is a band that explores beauty wherever it may lead. Combining the melodic elements of Britpop with the urgency of indie rock, Vanishing Shores has spent the last five years exploring a musical journey that is both intensely personal and universal in its focus. Bianchi has been joined by a rotating collective of collaborators that provide their unique talents to carefully craft the musical vision of Vanishing Shores both in the studio and on stage.

Bolstered by regional radio support and a persistent fanbase, Vanishing Shores continued to pursue an even more layered musical language on their sophomore release, Maps (2021). By creating a song cycle of expansive beauty and vulnerability, Maps felt confident and transcendent.

Life is short, and in its haste, we must revel. The essence of youth is the here and now, a truth that Trey Joshua captures in his latest single, “Fine To Me.” Check it out on YouTube here:

The 21-year-old artist from Toronto spawned the song in unconventional conditions, an outburst of creativity coming over him and his producer friend Ricky Tovey as the two found themselves with a group of friends at a camp in Muskoka. In the midst of the debauchery, the friends forged a summer bop that sells shoulders to sway.

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/artist/62e2igMj9fCJ9AWn3Tr9mk

Vancouver musician Tissa Rahim has released her latest track, “Before Someone Else Does,”, bringing the Persian Powerhouse to the forefront of the Soul/RnB scene. It’s a mild departure from Rahim’s typical RnB sound, but she maintains her powerhouse vocals and emotional performance while explaining to her theoretical partner that he’s had his final warning.

“Ain’t asking for too much need to measure up
Or this love won’t feel like love
Try a little harder baby
Before someone else does”

“Before Someone Else Does” marks the first release in the collaboration between Rahim and Alvin Brendan, who began writing together during the pandemic. Like other musicians around the world, the two had trouble finding opportunities to perform together, so they turned to an alternate outlet for their creativity. Check it out on YouTube here: youtube.com/watch?v=5BaLmjuDgBg&feature=youtu.be

From time to time, everyone imagines – fantasizes even – about dropping out of society and living far, far away from it all. Montreal-based pop rocker LG Breton gives voice to that urge in his fun, quirky new single “Going Off The Grid”. Check it out On YouTube here:

Part head-bopping power-pop, part folky introspection, and sung in half-sing, half-talk, “Going Off The Grid” sonically reflects the unconventionality of its subject matter. After all, everyone craves solitude every once in a while, but not everyone permanently leaves the city for a shack in the woods.

Award-winning roots singer/guitarist JW-Jones new solo album, Everything Now, is out now on Solid Blues Records, distributed by Stony Plain. Joining him on the new disc are special guests Jimmie Vaughan, The Texas Horns, Rob McNelley, Stanton Moore and Gordie Johnson of Canadian roots monsters, Big Sugar, among others. JW penned the entire album with fellow Canadian legends Dick Cooper and Johnson (who also produced).

“I am incredibly proud of these songs, and this music,” says Jones. “It is 100% original roots and blues with a variety of grooves, feels, and personal lyrics. This is a snapshot of who I am as a person, and where I am as an artist today.”

Check out “Keeping Me Up” on YouTube here:

From its opening explosive fiddle riff, to its driving dance-floor chorus, the award-winning Derina Harvey Band has created a dazzling ball of Celtic rock in its latest single 'Waves of Home' from the new album of the same name. Due for release on May 19th, this new single arrives with powerful sweet vocals from frontwoman Derina Harvey, accompanied by a raucous fiddle, solid instrumental backing and a stomping beat. This single doesn't pull any punches right from the get-go.

Check out the YouTube channel here: youtube.com/@derinaharveyband3469

With the Derina Harvey Band being described as if Great Big Sea has upped their rock game and recruited Adele on vocals, you know exactly what to expect before you listen. This band and their music is full of high energy that leaves audiences out of breath and hollering from their seats at every show.

Coming off the musically powerful and evocative single “Breathe,” Las Vegas-based modern rock band CRASHING WAYWARD—vocalist Peter Summit, guitarists Stacey David Blades and David Harris, bassist Carl Raether, and drummer Shon McKee— share the music video for their new single “Closer” ahead of its May 19 digital release. Powered by Summit’s striking voice, multiple guitar textures and gripping fast-paced rhythm, the song “speaks to relationships—specifically unhealthy, addictive romantic relationships,” explains Summit. “It focuses on the obsession someone might have and also to the awareness that this might not be the right place for that person.” Watch the video, which captures the band’s onstage dynamism,HERE. 

We’ve witnessed and heard testimonies from countless musicians who were forced to struggle—financially and artistically—through the lockdowns of the pandemic. For some who have survived, there’s been the silver lining of a shift in perspective. Many artists dug deep in isolation and discovered the solution to long-elusive mysteries. Some let go of the tried-and-true and instead explored new means of expression.

While we’re hopefully emerging from the final Covid surge, it’s a welcome that an artist like Christine Jensen is opening ears to the magic of reflection on her long, turbulent days and months locked down.

Check out “Like In Love” on YouTube here: youtube.com/channel/UCZkEVXiQ3gfBmewaKVaWqtA

Chester Doom is a rock & roll juggernaut that knows how to bring the house down! These lifelong musicians are on a mission to prove that rock & roll is alive and kicking harder than ever before by mixing equal parts punk rock attitude and Southern rock soul and drawing inspiration from the classic rock gods like Led Zeppelin, Rush, Guns N’ Roses, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, as well as modern icons like Tool and Linkin Park.

Check out "Not Far Behind" on YouTube here:

We live in a world that increasingly celebrates youth and beauty in snapshots and doctors’ reality to taste, all while ignoring the value to be found in people and things with age, history and experience. Accomplished Guelph, ON-based blues/roots singer-songwriter David Deacon is eschewing instant aesthetics with his provocative new single “California Has No Winter”, released in tandem with his new album “Four”.

Check out “California Has No Winter” on YouTube here:

If you're trying to start over, it can be easier said than done. Sometimes, it feels like you've had to pick up the pieces and start again many times before things improve. London, ON’s Emo-Americana Charile Weber and The Glorious Failures capture this discouragement in their new single, "I Will Be Better Than This". In May 2023, the band will release their newest album "Gold Never Stays".

Check out Charlie Weber And The Glorious Failures on BandCamp here: charlieweber.bandcamp.com/album/gold-never-stays

A light acoustic guitar opens the song before tranquil vocals from lead singer Charlie Weber comes in. From there, the song's honest lyrics grip the listener using a sailing ship as a metaphor for going on a brand-new journey.

"Where it is that we’re going
Cos the seas I’ve weathered seem rather rough
But not as rough as those who anchor to the shores
Hoping that the tide wont pick them up"

Just like our closest loved ones, music is a dedicated companion. It will always be there for us as a savior, a confidant and a provider of solace and comfort. Multi-honoured Canadian blues singer-songwriter and guitarist André Bisson knows this truth as well as anyone and built his latest release around that premise of providing safe harbour. “Shake”, the soulful lead single from Bisson’s forthcoming 10th album, is available now.

Check out “Shake” on YouTube here:

 André Bisson certainly puts the ‘pro’ in prolific as he prepares to release his 10th album of original material since 2009, “Latchford”, later this year. That’s 10 albums over a span of just 14 years! Leading the charge of singles ahead of the new full-length collection, “Shake” sets the groove around some gutsy subject matter for the Hamilton-based, Bruce Mines, Ontario-born artist.

When you take the bold step of naming a song “Good Vibes”, you must live up to that title. The multi-talented singer, dancer and actor Ana Pac does that and more with her new single, a positively perfect banger released just in time for summer. Check it out on YouTube here:

“Good Vibes” continues Ana’s focus of writing and performing songs focused on positivity and acceptance. Her previous singles, “Down in My Whip”, “This is….” and “Blast Off (Light Years and Beyond)” were inspirational messages that encouraged listeners to pay attention to their inner voices, to have the courage to follow their dreams despite the obstacles and nay-sayers.

With its bouncy dance pop beat, “Good Vibes” kicks the inspiration up to an entirely new level. It’s all about attitude, about making the choice to create your own sunshine.

Altered By Mom is an alt-rock/indie duo from Toronto that combine a knack for infectious melodies and classic songwriting with a quirky sense of humour and a tongue-in-cheek post-grunge aesthetic. They sound like Alanis Morissette, Oliva Rodrigo, and Sloan chowing down on a party sub in the security line at YYZ.

Check out “Waiting On A Sign That’s Already There”