In a time of geopolitical uncertainty and rising tension across North America, a newly-formed Canadian music collective has stepped forward with a clear, emotional declaration: “This Is Not America.” Out now, it aims at the days after the U.S. president’s shocking call for Canadian statehood and an aggressive escalation of tariffs, the track arrives not as a rebuke, but as a deeply patriotic reflection—a reminder of who Canadians are and what makes their country distinct.

“After generations of close friendship and cooperation with our closest neighbours to the south,” the band explains, “Canadians awoke a few weeks ago to a starkly different reality.”

Formed in Halifax, The Glowing Hearts Project is made up of four long-time musical collaborators: fronted by the keyboardist, lyricist and powerhouse vocalict Rob Cribb, guitarist and bassist Kevin White, producer Josh Kelly, and rounded out by Ally Cribb—named the 2024 grand prize winner of the Write Out Loud competition—this song is both a lament and a call to arms. Their years of musical kinship come through clearly in the cohesion and heart behind This Is Not America. It’s a work of both musicianship and meaning—a song that isn’t just timely, but timeless.

Rob Cribb, a veteran journalist and musician, wrote the song in response to growing fears of cultural and economic annexation. With studio sessions captured on April 11 amid headlines from Washington and Ottawa, the song is grounded in both real-time reaction and generational memory. This Is Not America was released just days later—on the very same day the White House press secretary doubled down on the president’s controversial remarks.

The track itself is a slow-burning, harmony-driven anthem that blends folk-rock sensibilities with gospel-like urgency. It opens with a refrain that pulls no punches:

“This is not America / We’ve seen beyond the fantasy / This is not America / It’s the true north strong and free.”

More than protest, this is a love letter to Canada. The song’s verses speak to shared military sacrifice, 9/11 solidarity, and the heartbreak of a long-standing alliance strained by politics. And yet, This Is Not America never veers into hostility. Instead, it doubles down on identity, anchoring itself in the places, culture, and values that define the Canadian spirit.

“It’s the Down East brand of kindness / And the Bay of Trinity / This is not America.”

The lyrics—raw, resonant, and unmistakably patriotic—have sparked powerful reactions from early listeners. “We hoped to inspire Canadians to reconnect with what makes this country special,” the band says. “And in the first few days, we’ve heard from people who say they were moved to tears. The video on YouTube has struck a nerve. We believe this moment calls for reflection and resolve.”

The track's emotional core culminates in a moving bridge:

“With every ounce of strength in me / I will stand on guard for thee.”

Ally Cribb’s soaring vocals—already recognized nationally from her acclaimed solo work—lift the track into the realm of national hymn. It's a song meant for arenas, living rooms, and parliamentary playlists alike.

This Is Not America isn’t just a song. It’s a cultural moment. In a year where national borders feel more contested and national identities more critical than ever, The Glowing Hearts Project have offered Canadians something invaluable: a soundtrack for unity, dignity, and self-definition.

As global markets sway, American politics intensify, and social media fills with chaos, Canada now has a calm, steady voice in response. Not one of outrage, but of resolve.

Because this—this—is not America.

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