If you want to be a mammoth, you’ve got to make tracks like a mammoth. That’s why Acadian “heavy soul” outfit Les Moontunes have deepened their musical footprint on their sophomore album, Elephant Wizard, and its attendant second single, “Enchanted Tusks.” Check it out on YouTube here:

It’s about time pop music had its own hymn to the enduring power of an old-fashioned platonic connection. Maybe we were just waiting for the right prophet. “Day One,” the breakout single from Austin, Texas’ Aline Garza, is more than the debut of a major new artist—it’s a ride-or-die pledge that’s headed straight for the first page of every listener’s inner keepsake journal. Check it out on YouTube here:

Anyone who thinks the music business is by definition a young man’s pursuit needs to meet Gideon Foster. Having come to the singer-songwriter game in his mid-40s, the Halifax, UK-based artist is now 54 and sharing the sort of becalmed wisdom only age can provide on his latest single, “Outside Looking In.” Check it out on YouTube here:

Landing with an audibly self-assured grace, the song is a meditation in both content and sound. Symphonic key swells, jangly guitar arpeggios and a shuffling, neo-trap drum beat snake in and out under Foster’s whispery, reverberating vocals as he gently gets his point across. That point? That at the end of the day, “out of the loop” isn’t such a bad place to be if you’re at peace with yourself.

A Detroit deathgaze duo are the last folks you’d expect to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, but Vazum wants to make it clear winter can be a bummer for anybody. Their new single, “Blush,” is a hopeful and timely reminder that milder days lie ahead – a message to cling to, whether your personal tastes normally run toward daffodils or funeral lilies. Check out “Blush” on YouTube here:

Today, Montreal-via-France jazz pianist and composer Simon Denizart unveils a reflective new song “35 Years of Mistakes,” out now on Nettwerk / Justin Time Records. The tender piano ballad is enveloped in a flourish of melancholic string arrangements as Denizart grapples with his up and down journey as an artist. Listen to “35 Years of Mistakes” on all digital retailers (here).

“35 Years of Mistakes tells the story of an existence made up of ups and downs, unfortunate choices and moments of grace. It's an emotional musical journey that invites listeners to reflect on the power of resilience, the beauty of imperfection and the strength of perseverance,” explains Denizart.

“35 Years of Mistakes” follows the frenetic “Music Box” and lively “9-4,” (All About Jazz Song of the Day) signaling more new music from the jazz piano virtuoso.

Canadian country star Shawn Oates returns with an homage to the country greats with his rendition of David Lee Murphy's 90s hit, "Dust On the Bottle." Oates puts his distinctive touch on this timeless piece, offering audiences a brand-new and captivating listening experience. Check it out on YouTube here:

 Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Oates attributes his resilience and strength to the transformative power of music. His work consistently explores themes of love, life, and happiness; his mission is to spread positivity and inject his blend of soul and emotion into the heart of country music.

Sometimes when you’re in a cycle of bad luck, it can seem like nothing is ever going to change. Enter Calgary-based Redhead Mack Band with a little bit of reassurance: It’s all going to be okay. That’s the gist of their pulsing, feel-good new single “Once Again” from their new album You Know That You Want To. Check it out on YouTube:

With percussive electric guitar, a driving beat, and a soaring chorus, “Once Again” begins with the story of someone who feels like they’re locked in an inevitable cycle of broken relationships, all blurring together in the dysfunction of sameness. But then the chorus rushes in with some positivity and a fist pump to remind the narrator – and us – that it will eventually get better:

ON-based Matthew Holtby has been slowly adding to his collection of singles, one song at a time for the past two years. Working with Peterborough, ON Producer Michael Phillips, the pair have been digging out the sounds Holtby creates on his acoustic guitar with the help of his bandmates, best friends and even his Father. Last year saw the release of two independent singles which caught the ear of the CBC, and also helped to land him a few festival spots. He also had the pleasure of opening for legendary blues rocker David Wilcox to a sold-out crowd in his hometown of Oshawa. With the help of his last release, Holtby's Americana style sound has garnered a few notable online reviews. This time, that stripped back acoustic sound has vanished and transformed into something mystical and magical.

Check out Goodbye on YouTube here:

Pianist and composer Huguette Lavigne invites music fans on a thrilling journey with her latest single, “As It Goes,” accompanied by a visually stunning experience. This latest release gives a glimpse into a potential future where space travelers coexist with advanced artificial intelligence. Check it out on YouTube here:

The video for “As It Goes” is a series of captivating scenes that paint picture of a futuristic world where space exploration and artificial intelligence seamlessly merge. Lavigne does not aim to convey any deep meaning, but rather aims to create a fun and enjoyable experience. The video showcases beautiful and inspiring images that match the mood of the music.

Kingston, Jamaica-born, Toronto, ON-based rising sensation Dudsymil declares the release of his brand-new EP, “The Frequency,” a mollifying listening experience throughout the five tracks. This project completely deflects from Dudsymil’s previous EP, “Deep Rivers,” a body of work that delivered such dark themes at full length. Check it out on YouTube here:

“The Frequency” is a show of the singer’s evolution of sound. With a formidable opener as “Right Now,” that promises to elicit some salacious emotions from female listeners. In each track, Dudsymil and his production team consistently convey the stand-out theme of “good vibes” in various aspects of daily living. “The essence of the EP, The Frequency, is a vibe that I feel has been given to me by a higher power, and I'm excited to share it with the world,” the singer expands.

Infusing a soulful sound with unfiltered authenticity, singer-songwriter JAXXEE, returns with a striking new single that promises to capture the hearts and souls of listeners. Her newest single, "so tired", is a beautiful anthem that chronicles the chaos of weariness and resilience. Check it out on YouTube here:

"so tired" delves into the universal experience of late-night self-reflection, capturing the exhaustion from the feeling of inadequacy. Born from a moment of inspiration during a car ride, JAXXEE questions the balance between strength and vulnerability, the authenticity of appearances in a social media-driven world, and the emotional turbulence of self-doubt. The production elevates the song with a soulful Americana style with JAXXEE and producer, Neil James Cooke-Dallin, opting for a live sound, raw and filled with the sound of a live band.

Feeling worn down? Run over by life? Like you’re constantly at the mercy of malevolent forces beyond your control?

If you’ve survived the last few years, the answer is probably “yes.” But sweet vindication is here in the form of Puddy, the Canadian indie quartet that’s back after a prolonged absence with its triumphant revenge fantasy of a track, “What Do You Want?” Check it out on YouTube here:

An eminently singable burst of punked-up fury, the song finds the band hurling invective at a “parasite” whose “meal ticket” has just been canceled after years of abused privileges. And from the way singer/guitarist Paolo Rizzo snarls out the chorus lyric, you can tell this is a man who’s well and truly over it.

Flavia Abadía, the singer and songwriter based in Toronto, Canada, seamlessly incorporates English, French, and Spanish into her evolving music. Born in France to Colombian and French-Canadian heritage, Flavia effortlessly blends an array of musical genres, including Latin, Moombahton, Hip Hop, House, Vogue, and other global elements.

Check out MALA here:

 Flavia Abadía's debut album, "Crossover," hit the right notes in 2021, delighting fans with its success. The music warmly welcomes listeners into a world where diversity takes center stage, solidifying her reputation as an artist who effortlessly breaks boundaries.

With an impressive track record, Flavia's original music has garnered over 2 million cumulative streams, attesting to her widespread appeal and creative prowess.

There’s a popular stereotype that the Indigenous Canadian is an inherently rural creature. And then there’s reality. As proof that this community can come from anywhere – and belong anywhere – Vancouver guitarist/vocalist Blair Bellerose has declared himself “Born in the City,” a righteous declaration of identity from his band, Midnight Sparrows. Check it out on YouTube here:

The Award is given annually to an artist whose exemplary work produced away from the spotlight of the moment and without fanfare, has been been a notable source of inspiration to others in the arts and/or whose visionary contributions to the arts and broader communities have been made in under-acknowledged or ‘behind the scenes’ roles.

Beverly Glenn-Copeland has had a significant impact across many spheres over his fifty-year career as a singer, songwriter, recording artist, and transgender advocate. As an artist, he has masterfully blended genres and expanded musical horizons, pushing boundaries and using his passion for nature and science, to craft a distinct sound. As a trans artist with a diverse cultural heritage, he has been a passionate supporter of Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ2S+ communities both in Canada and abroad.

"I am extraordinarily honoured to know that I have been chosen for the 2023 Robert Johnston Visionary Artist Award,” says Glenn-Copeland. “We live in challenging times and it means a great deal to me in this, my 80th year, to know my work has served as an inspiration to others.”

Al Simmons, the master of one-man, multi-prop, music-filled performances, is back with his latest release, "The Whistling Egg Man —and other tall tales." For over 55 years, Al has entertained audiences worldwide, spreading joy and laughter to people of all ages with his clever comedy, delivered with heartwarming charm.

Watch “Digging A Hole” on YouTube here:

Skyzz, the pop singer known for his 2021 risqué summer anthem “Lento Y Pegadito,” drops his newest single, “Without You.” This latest offering delivers an enticing combination of Top 40 and pop elements, guaranteed to touch on that soft spot for his audience. Check it out on YouTube here:

Growing up with a love of music, Skyzz found his passion when he played drums at a young age, revealing his natural talent for the instrument. So talented that at age 17, he used his dream and a pair of drumsticks to pursue his music career further. His musical influences draw from Alternative Rock, R&B, and Reggaeton. However, deep down, Skyzz’s inspiration originates from his Belizean foundation.

Originally from Créteil, French pianist Simon Denizart arrived in Montreal in 2011 and wasted no time in getting his music heard.

Initially working with the Canadian label The 270 Sessions, he produced three albums, Between Two Worlds (2015), Beautiful People (2016) and Darkside (2017). This productive period earned him the Radio-Canada Revelation award in 2016 and two ADISQ nominations in 2017 and 2018.

9-4 on YouTube here:

Music Box here: youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=LhJ9uCS6TlA

 Released in 2021 on the Laborie Jazz label, his fourth album NOMAD offers a dynamic and original encounter between the piano and the calabash. It was again nominated for an ADISQ award in the Album of the Year Jazz category that same year.

Toronto singer-songwriter Ryan Burger has lived more lifetimes in the past two years than most people ever will. On his sophomore album The More They Stay The Same, he offers listeners his gentle epiphanies from the road trip of a lifetime. The record, featuring lead single “Running Through Your Heart,” check it out on YouTube here:

With his debut solo album, To Begin With, Ritesh Das invites listeners to join him on a groundbreaking musical voyage that seamlessly blends the vibrant mastery of the tabla and transcends borders with a fusion of genres. This energetic and visionary album is a harmonious blend of meditation, psychology, and celebration.

The second single and music video from this album, "Forgiveness of Trees," as a distinctive blend of tabla and rock and roll, featuring the raw vocals of Canadian rock icon Bif Naked and the powerful guitar work of Ash Ravens. Check it out on YouTube here: