XL Syndicate out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada is a collective whose sound was influenced by multiple genres including Soca, Reggae, and R&B -- consistent with the group's Caribbean upbringing. "Caribbean vibes run deep in our veins," they write on their Instagram page, which is generating quite the following. Their latest track and music video, "Lights Go Down," is a fitting ode to the prime days of house music and warehouse parties that continued all night until the sun came up. The collective has retooled that classic sound for our current era. Check out YouTube here:

This is a song that could be played in the rocking clubs of Toronto, Miami, Vegas, and Ibiza. However, XL Syndicate says that the genesis of the song was much more intimate and revolves around the universal theme of seeking refuge in music and dance. 

Singer-songwriter Gerry Jack Macks is back with a brand-new single that promises to take listeners on a bumpy journey down the rough road ahead. The release of his new single “Too Many Times Down That Road” showcases Macks’s unique musical style, which defies genre boundaries and features an impressive collaboration with two-time JUNO Award winner Al Lerman and talented young drummer Sara Varro. Check it out on YouTube here:

 Macks’s latest single was born out of a chance encounter over a cup of coffee with his friend Al Lomas. The longtime trucker had just navigated a treacherous backroad filled with potholes and ruts. Inspired by Lomas’ description of the rough journey, Macks penned the song's lyrics right there in the diner, capturing the essence of a challenging path with a catchy tune.

All things end. Some things must end.

Steve Bronstein of Toronto indie rock band The Alter Kakers wrote the group’s latest single, “When You’re Gone”, years ago near the close of a relationship. But unlike the more common musical theme in breakup songs, the singer isn’t sad about the conclusion - he relishes it.

 “Instead of having a remorseful feeling about it, it takes a self-aware approach,” Bronstein explained. “Looking forward to the freedoms ahead.”

Incorporating clever wordplay and poignant truths, Bronstein brays over an upbeat but dirty instrumental, which includes drums, guitar, and even violin.

“When You’re Gone” has been a long time in the making. Bronstein originally wrote its lyrics about 30 years ago, then stashed them away. A decade ago, the bed tracks were recorded at Metalworks with the band’s original singer, Matt Dratva. Fast-forward to modern day, and The Alter Kakers decided to revisit the song and turn it into something complete.

Grammy-winning Hawaiian "slack key" guitarist, producer, and composer Jim "Kimo" West unveiled his latest album, "Of Wood and Spirit: American Guitar Stores," on August 14, 2023. This release marks the beginning of a tour that will enchant audiences across the United States and Europe. It will also include a special benefit concert, "The Hana Sound Returns," dedicated to supporting the people of Maui, featuring Leokane Pryor and CJ Helekahi. Watch and Listen on YouTube here:

Chin Injeti adds a nostalgic offering to his 2023 repertoire with this new song “For Better Or For Worse” featuring Shad K aka YBTB. They say sentimentality is a hell of a drug, and in this new release, it keeps getting better with every listen.

The Grammy and JUNO Award album-winning contributor assembled an anthem that bodes well for adults learning to live with growth. Injeti admits his motivation for the song is “Growing up and accepting the things that go with it,” and continues, “the fact that we changed, and we’re ok with it.”

“For Better Or Worse” harnesses acoustic components from start to finish that sound familiar to the ear. Together with the almost faint repetitive thudding hiding behind the acoustics. It all works and complements Injeti’s style of singing throughout the song. What came as a surprise was the electronic element of the song, as it didn't overpower the whole musical production.

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/6hquJHRYQEozbip27gmACt

Sometimes in life we carry an ache for a future home that rivals our aching for homes past. Blues artist Caroline Cotto captures this unique sort of pang in her raucous and triumphant single “Bayou Sun” – from her forthcoming album of the same name. Check it out on YouTube here:

The song starts out with galloping guitar, rock ‘n’ roll piano, and Cotto’s voice dripping with warm honey as she tells a lover all about making her way to New Orleans after practically holding her breath:

Drive Down to The Delta
Baby, won’t you come (won't you come)
I know that you’ve been blue and lonesome
Grab your keys, follow the moss trees, my love
Hold my face in your mind
Till you see the Bayou Sun 

“Cha Cha” by Bryan Bravo is a blending of Latin and Pop that is an ode to his culturally diverse upbringing. The latest single, from Toronto’s native featuring Pop singer Mariah McKnight is now available to stream. Check it out on YouTube here:

 Bryan Bravo’s quirky fusion of a slow altitude and Latin/Pop energy is more than just making an inevitable hit record; it’s about “creating a perfect balance for both chill vibes and getting your body moving,” the artist shares.

It’s the approach in each lyric that mirrors the song’s objective adeptly. Bryan uses untangled words that make the listener wish to hit the dance floor and let loose.

Renowned pianist, percussionist, composer, and producer Bill Brennan is set to mesmerize music enthusiasts once again with the release of two compelling singles, "Nostalgie" and "Istana," from his upcoming album "Kaleidoscope - Music for Mallet Instruments." The album showcases Brennan's virtuosity as a performer and his artistic prowess as a composer, blending a diverse array of influences into a sonic tapestry that's both captivating and evocative. The Story of "Nostalgie":

Accomplished Los Angeles native and pop/R&B artist Z Chambers released his new song “Tightrope” this week. Featuring intriguingly melodic vocals paired with a mysteriously somber yet upbeat score, the artist delivers a poignant message sure to resonate with younger generations. Check it out on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/5bPXeO3mKRjlX9R5I0KRTX?si=65e0a54707124ad0&nd=1

Z Chambers is a singer/songwriter born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He discovered his love for art and music at an early age and began participating in talent shows. Inspired by artists such as Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo, Linkin Park, and Coldplay, Z started writing music and performing at local venues. After high school, he moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in music and attended Musicians Institute.

Playing in both light and dark, sleekness and texture, Toronto-based anti-pop star and electronic dance music producer Wrené’s new album Metamorphosis unfolds as a seamless journey of self-acceptance, embracing the inevitability of constant change.

Check out YouTube here: youtube.com/channel/UCi8w-qokXJy1yZWPTanzJjA

 Created during the bleakest period of the COVID pandemic, Metamorphosis presents an expansive lost-in-space-and-time aesthetic, while, conversely, also providing the deep sense of intimacy that only a lot of time spent in the interiors of one’s own psyche can provide an artist.

From the aching “Deflect, Dissolve” to the ethereal title song “Metamorphosis,” each track presents as a fleeting moment in an overarching story, merging harmoniously and also offering a distinct sonic landscape and sensibility, creating an overall immersive experience for listeners. Metamorphosis was produced entirely with original recorded samples, and by creating textures with soft synths.

ALBUM RELEASE CONCERT
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Doors: 6:30 pm | Music: 7:00-8:45 pm
@The Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Avenue, Toronto, ON
TICKETS: Adv. $10 + HST and fees | Door: $15 Eventbrite
w/ Gary Craig on drums, Russ Boswell on bass, and Burke Carroll on pedal steel and dobro
plus other surprise guests

Mandy Morris, renowned as Music With Mandy, leads a jazz-infused family entertainment quartet based in Calgary. Their mission? To captivate children and young families with the irresistible charm of children's music, featuring playful, witty lyrics, all underscored by a delightful jazz twist that's sure to entertain both the young and the young at heart.

Watch Vacation in the Stars on YouTube here:

Midnight Miles, the authentic back-to-roots, blues-based rock 'n' roll band from Montreal, Quebec, is thrilled to announce the release of their highly anticipated new single, "Like You Wanna Do" check it out on YouTube here:

The 5-piece vintage rock band’s latest release is a soul-stirring, rock 'n' roll anthem with electrifying sound, raw emotion, and relentless passion. “In writing Like You Wanna Do, we wanted to encapsulate the longing to feel unburdened,” said lead vocalist and songwriter – Ryan Setton. “Many of us are just trying to be the truest versions of ourselves, and nobody should ever feel like they're being judged or prosecuted for that.”

Kyle Pacey manages to pack musing on mankind’s decline, the death and end of the world we all love, and the optimism we should all consider sharing into catchy, pop-infused rock tunes that are layered in jazz notes, R&B bounce, and funk aesthetics from start to finish.

It’s all been captured clearly, horns and all, on Road Songs, Pacey’s latest 2023 EP release, where anyone ready can take a trip through the “sad days, mad days, and bad days” in our world that used to contain so much more hope that we currently have now. But the sounds of catchy, warm horns and driving, bluesy riffs can take you far away from wherever you are, with -infectious melodies and Kyle’s soulfulvoice planted firmly at the center, making it easier to see what’s possible, and how much better we can make this world.

Check out “Sad Days” on YouTube:

Blending elements of trip-hop and soul in just the right proportions, the new independent face on the Canadian music scene, JAXXEE, makes an impactful entrance with her debut single, "GONE." Check it out on YouTube here:

Paying homage to the obscure Bristol scene of the 90s, while also emanating a fresh and present-day aura, the track serves as a cathartic passage, navigating the intricate emotions of frustration, love, and sorrow.

With a voice as deep as the emotions evoked, JAXXEE poses a poignant question: "Have you ever felt so fragile?" The lyrics unfold a tale of vulnerability, of being depleted by others who take relentlessly.

“This musical journey is about finding my voice. Having an opinion and not just being a people pleaser. Pushing myself to be out of my comfort zone and vulnerable,” explains the artist.

Award-winning Six Nations musician Jace Martin releases highly anticipated lead single "My Last Breath" from his new album Beautiful Broken Pieces - check it out on YouTube here:

Esteemed and celebrated Six Nations artist Jace Martin returns with the pop-rock ballad “My Last Breath” from his new album Beautiful Broken Pieces that blends acoustic driven melodies with Martin’s uplifting vocals that builds to an exhale of his own little piece of heaven.

Beautiful Broken Pieces, Martin's fifth studio album, is a testament to his artistic evolution and resilience. The album is a collaborative effort with co-writer and co-producer Justin Abedin, who previously collaborated with Martin on the Billboard-charting hit "Free to Fly" in 2017.

girly., a multiracial indie artist from Abbotsford, British Columbia, is out with a new single, “Dime,” produced by Chin Injeti, a three-time Grammy Award album contributor who has collaborated with the likes of DJ Khalil, Dr. Dre, and Eminem. Check it out on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/7yRcMgHvaQkcrMPNiqaeiK?si=13b8d6d7483847e0&nd=1

The easy, breezy listen builds on girly.’s success last year with “Boyish,” which the artist performed throughout 2022 in and around Van City, including during Black Music Month in June. girly. calls “Dime” one of the fastest songs he’s made. “It was like it wrote itself,” he said.

Sometimes the cut feels like a love letter to a specific person – “I had four dollars in my pocket, I had four dollars in my pocket/Spent my last dime on you, I spent my last dime on you” – so goes the addictive hook. Other times, it feels more like a love letter to being on the come up with your friends, at a specific time and in a specific place. 

An electric riff breezes through your speakers. It’s accompanied by melodic, laid-back, charming vocals. It’s Fresh Breath, and their single, “Through My Window”; the title track off their full-length album. And it’s a feel-good, lush, alt-country, contemporary song about growing up, and being okay with it. Check it out on YouTube:

Sometimes a relationship can hit a rough patch, and all you want is to get back to that place where you both know you can do better. With her signature honeyed voice as its star, singer-songwriter Francine Honey’s new ballad “The We, We Used To Be” tackles this unique sort of melancholy. Check it out on YouTube here:

 I don’t want to fight
There’s nothing left to say
I don’t need to be right
I want us to find a way, back to
The We, we used to be
The We, staying up ’till 3
The We, tangled up in sheets
I remember the We, we used to be

Sometimes, romantic relationships can be stifling if your partner is smothering you. When you need some space from your partner and you can't get it, it can be frustrating to deal with. Mississauga, ON-based hip-hop artist Dylan Joshua vents this frustration in new single, "toomanytimes". Check it out on YouTube here:

Against a laid-back beat and acoustic guitar and drums, Dylan Joshua laments about needing some space from his partner. Not only have they been fighting a lot, but he sees her so much that it feels too much.

"Too much on my mind I needed space, yeah
Too much of these fights I need a break, yeah
How much of my time you wanna waste?
Shordie in my mind or in my face"