Before they released the Kraken on the ice, it was teen Nikhil Bagga — the virtuoso guitarist — who stirred the crowd into a rock frenzy with his electric rendition of “Star Spangled Banner.”

Watch the NHL performance here:

In fact, the Seattle Times said the day after: “From the get-go, the Kraken seemed to have a step on their opponents. A rousing electric guitar performance of the national anthem by youngster Nikhil Bagga, 12, had the crowd buzzing beforehand and the electricity seemed to carry over to the home team’s performance.”

Watch Hypnotized here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9QzXJc2xhc

And with that, Bagga — now 13 — with his insatiable talent and megawatt grin, has entered the chat.

Charlottetown rockers The Pearly Gates have burst wide open with love lost on their newest single, “There’s A Black Hole (Where Your Heart Should Be)” – check it out on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/3QyNdoEockKCHunlgK7ZkQ?si=7ecaff7ed3d749c7&nd=1

The East Coast-based four-piece comprised of Mark Palmer (vocals, guitar), Colin Buchanan (guitar, vocals), Roger Carter (drums), and Chris Francis (bass) sings the score on a familiar fable, uniquely delivered in their unmistakable sonic offering: a modern twist on 60s rock nostalgia. “There’s A Black Hole” juxtaposes an uptempo jangly dance party with melancholic lyrics.

“I liked the idea of writing a song about a bad relationship I had been in with a dark lyrical theme,” explains Palmer, adding “accompanied by a sunny happy chord progression and sing-along cheerful melody.”

The fight for survival when trying to overcome a serious illness is an intensely personal one, but it can be an almost equally intense fight on the part of caregivers and loved ones. Canadian Christian artist Ileen Laura paints a sonic watercolor of this mutual fight for life in her sad and hopeful new single, “Fight Left In Me” – check it out on YouTube here:

The fight for survival when trying to overcome a serious illness is an intensely personal one, but it can be an almost equally intense fight on the part of caregivers and loved ones. Canadian Christian artist Ileen Laura paints a sonic watercolor of this mutual fight for life in her sad and hopeful new single, “Fight Left In Me” — available now.

You’ll feel like the Goddess in question when you flow through the latest offering from the West Coast of Canada’s alternative rock five-piece, Flowshine! The epic seven-song strong album, You Goddess — available now alongside new single, “Give It A Go” — is a gorgeous love letter, whimsically written and carved in rock.

Landing a near-exact ten years since Flowshine debuted with their first album, Mountain Queen, You Goddess is their fourth offering. And though the group took a pause on concocting a full-length, their tenacity to consistently deliver on good music, great vibes, and powerful stage performance saw Flowshine spend their time on the road alongside heavy-hitters, Chilliwack, Five Alarm Funk, and The Wooden Sky. Their love of touring even saw them with two stops to the Yukon — a testament to their commitment to taking the music to the fans.

When Frida Maria was ready to encapsulate all the emotions running through her at once, she would soon discover that she had created some “Moments” in the form of a new single – watch and listen on YouTube here:

“The meaning of the letters are yin and yang because it's pretty dark writing — but in another way it’s happy and the song/beat/melody itself gives you a happy feeling,” Frida shares of the song with Charlie Atom. “It’s a play of emotions we face daily; everyone experiences ‘moments’ in their own unique way, so the writing is pretty universal when you think about it because it can apply differently to whoever is interpreting the song in their own precise ‘moments’.”

Lack of communication between two people can sometimes be construed as stonewalling and being shut out hurts — bad. Multi-award-nominated Canadian blues-rock artist Chris Antonik gives voice and guitar wail to that searing pain in his new single, “Waves of Stone” – check it out on YouTube here:

Arriving ahead of his forthcoming album, Morningstar, “Waves of Stone” features incendiary guitar interplay between Antonik and special guest three-time Blues Music Award nominee Jarekus Singleton, along with a pounding groove, soaring gospel backup vocals, and grand piano pumped through a roaring Leslie speaker.

The song tells the story of pain and loss, but also a new future forged through facing one’s grief. In the narrative, we hear about a partner named Rosie whose silence is deafening; when she finally speaks, it’s like an avalanche.

‘You built up such a sneak attack,’ Antonik sings.

The tale of ego versus love is one as old as time itself. For some of us, we lose that battle and nowhere is that concept captured more perfectly than in pop-R&B artist Stanley’s new single, “Twisted” – check it out on YouTube here:

As Stanley’s newest release, “Twisted” arrives fresh from the Winnipeg-based artist’s latest album, Resurrection; the LP aims to be a retelling of loss throughout the pandemic, with “Twisted” a pivotal chapter in that story.

Fantastically produced, “Twisted” is reminiscent of Weeknd’s summer releases, bringing forth images of summer flings ending too soon, and the high energy behind this mix paired with Stanley’s R&B style vocals really sells this track. It’s this façade of feel-good loving that acts as the cherry on top.

Leah Harris has been shining since childhood, and the summation of her career to this point glows on her latest chart-topping offering, “Shine” – check it out on YouTube here:

The Canadian-born singer/songwriter is a globetrotter with music in her soul. An encouraging childhood would incite her passion for music, having learned piano from her mother at age four and the fundamentals of songwriting from her father at age nine. Harris’ formative years in the Detroit music community would see her take to the influence of Blues and Motown, and soon the budding starlet had begun gigging professionally.

Award-nominated Canadian alt-rock outfit Soul Filter unveil their new song exploring the unforgiving nature of big cities, all from the perspective of a small-town girl, with this, their fiery new single, “The City Knows” – check it out on YouTube here:

Produced by John Angus MacDonald of The Trews and dripping with ‘90s nostalgia, “The City Knows” is a page torn from a diarist’s letter to the era of cassette walkmans and no smartphones. Lending itself to be more of a dark fairy tale, the song reflects the artists that have heavily inspired Soul Filter — in this track’s case, think the introspective, confessional vibe or Fleetwood Mac coupled with the ethereal, high-energy flair of Florence & The Machine.

The world has just been through two years of overwhelming uncertainty and isolation with many lives lost, connections broken, and dreams put on hold. Owen Sound singer-songwriter Morgan x Barrie took the world’s suffering, buckled down in depths of the pandemic and made it into something resonant, open hearted, and beautiful for us all with his new album, Lines, and the single “Germany” – check it out on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/4Y7U7RsVivtRrM4DWqjpRM?si=439e4e3495b7471b&nd=1

That said, Lines, Barrie’s third full album, isn’t a lament over our recent past… Instead, it’s a raw and honest look at the challenges all generations collectively face in the 21st century; a deeply thoughtful exploration of human hot topics like love, waste, and loss approached in equally passionate terms.

“I wanted to write an album I would want to listen to,” says Barrie, matter of factly.

Sometimes – no, always – when we neglect crucial parts of ourselves, they inevitably come rushing out at some point. Those neglected traits and emotions are what Canadian singer-songwriter Janel Rae covers in her piano-studded, sweeping soundscape of a single “Sometimes” – check it out on YouTube here:

Mournful, introspective, and ultimately cathartic, “Sometimes” begins with the sound of broken glass being swept up off the floor. The sound of glass will become crucial throughout the song’s cascading narrative. ‘I spilled a jar of jam on the carpet/ And I can’t remove the stain/ Now when I look down, it reminds me of the fight we had that day,’ Rae sings.

Who hasn't met someone so devastatingly alluring that you feel punched right in the gut… With that, in a pure, unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll ode to bad girls everywhere, “Sucker Punch” is the new single from Canadian rockers Heather.

“Sucker Punch” has that sexy-dirty bar rock sound with driving, pummeling beats, wailing guitars, and a sultry loud-quiet element where everything stops completely so that lead singer Evan Martin can whisper throatily: ‘I thought that I was dreamin’ 'til my skin was pinched.’ Check out “Sucker Punch” on YouTube here: heatherband.ca/

The song takes the listener on that fateful walk through the doors of the nightclub or bar where you first see her after you’ve been sleeping all day, and “is about the overwhelming and complete infatuation with someone you’ve just met who most likely has no interest in you,” bassist Cameron Menzies shares of the track.

American multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Elliott Novak channels his Salt Lake City, Utah upbringing into his signature pop/country sound with the release of a heartwarming new single and EP, “Why Does Everyday Start With Goodbye”

Novak’s Inspiration for “Why Does Everyday Start With Goodbye” began innocently enough as a song about what we often find in a typical day, but quickly became much more. As Novak says, "I kept thinking about how everyone — including me — puts all their hopes into finding that special person to share their life with… Only to end up spending most of their time apart.”

As Novak began to reveal his debut single to colleagues and friends, the song’s message immediately resonated. “When I first started showing people the song on the piano, everyone was like, 'you're right… Why DOES every day start with goodbye?!’”

Canadian songsmith Christina Martin returns with “In Control,” the second blistering single from her unreleased eighth studio album, Storm.

Check out “In Control” on You Tube here:

After the ethereal sweep of opening single, “Stay With Me,” second salvo “In Control” is a pounding percussion-led odyssey about the battle between the need to feel in control, and the need to just let loose.

Dealing grace and grit with equal aplomb, it’s a fitting follow-up.

“This song is about wanting to return to a feeling of being in control, but only after letting go and experiencing some of the human vices that lead to temporary pleasure. I’m pretty well-practiced at living a routine, discipline, and healthy life, but I’m still a mess a lot of the time, and turn to my sources for help getting back to the sense of feeling in control.”

There’s no stopping anyone with the right attitude and some ambition and, for Canadian powerhouse blues band Durham County Poets, the drive to get “Back at the Groove Shack” after our pandemic pause is creatively evident with this, their soulful new single and album, Out of the Woods.

Watch and listen to “Back at the Groove Shack” on YouTube here:

While we all hunkered down for the long haul of COVID, DCP lead vocalist and songwriter Kevin Harvey knew that the time was right to get working on new music that could have the power to uplift and inspire just when we all perhaps need it the most.

“The idea was for it to be a positive, uplifting experience for all involved — creators and listeners,” notes Harvey.

East coast Canadian rock/blues band Arsenal Mills unleash their no-nonsense approach to good vibes and great times with the supercharged new single, “Give It Up” – check it out on Spotify here:
open.spotify.com/track/7LwEIJk4eJx5LIilH4CSfi?si=26284d0bb0f644f8&nd=1

Arsenal Mills hits the ground running with “Give It Up,” an electrifying song about letting go of the toxicity in life and embracing optimism. “I wanted people to know that it’s okay to find the lighter side of these situations and take a humorous angle,” says the band’s lead vocalist/songwriter, Brad Milligan, of the track.

The anthemic new single is not just a testament to the musical dedication of Arsenal Mills but also the commitment to quality sound and production. Lead guitarist/songwriter Griffen Arsenault says, “this is the type of song that really gets your blood pumping and your feet grooving!”

With an unspeakably massive musical presence in Latin America and expanding upswing into Europe, Ottawa pop sensation Andrew Cassara elevates the game with an infectiously groovy song about moving on and letting go with his dancy new single “Better Off” – check it out on YouTube here: andrewcassaramusic.com/

Taking his international sound to new heights, Cassara seamlessly blends hints of disco with bright splashes of funk on “Better Off” to reinvigorate the pop music genre while breaking from convention. Cassara charts his own path drawing inspiration from genre-defying artists like Jamiroquai and Maroon 5.

Cassara’s inspiration for the sound of “Better Off” didn’t come from any particular artist, “the feel and direction of the song was inspired by my fans in Latin America that have been so supportive.” Cassara would develop a universal kinship with the people of Mexico, where an established fan base — some who even went to greet him at the airport — provided Cassara with the means for a small tour across the country.

The music world’s most intriguing storytellers, Coheed and Cambria, have shared “Comatose” -  check it out on YouTube here:

A brand new track off their widely anticipated new album, Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind — due out June 24, 2022 — “Comatose” finds the band stepping on the gas with the hi-energy joyride of a song, leaning a little into their classic pop-punk side with modern electronic sounds that give the song extra bounce.

The song is about folding to pressure and wanting to ‘dip out’ when met with a stressful situation. “I don’t want to feel, fuck it, keep me comatose,” goes the song.

British singer/songwriting duo Twisted Royalty fulfill their destiny as rockstars with a groovy song about the unattainable connection between two people we all long for on the fiery new single, “Unicorn” – check it out on YouTube here:

Co-written with Speech, Twisted Royalty’s synthesis of funky bass licks and artisanal lyricism is on full display with “Unicorn,” a track about the complexity of relationships. All of the intricacies and social dynamics associated with healthy connections are playfully explored in this pseudo-love song. The sonic affinity the duo shares is further enhanced by their biological sisterhood, making for a cohesive musical experience that immediately attracts anyone within earshot.

Canadian singer/songwriter Tate Irving electrifies with his signature pop-punk sound to tell a tale filled with hardship and personal growth with his catchy new single “She Said” – check it out on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/1Df9GGUdR4HT9J44b1o1Ek?si=084c5e8a3bf14d4c&nd=1

“She Said” is an upbeat melody brimming with a charm that showcases Irving’s penchant for storytelling while demonstrating his life-long commitment to music through his abilities as a multi-instrumentalist. With the benefit of hindsight, Irving draws on his own experiences and setbacks to convey his uplifting message of self-acceptance in an authentic way.

Irving wrote “She Said” at 20-years-old, initially framing it as a series of life lessons passed down by Irving’s mother. As Irving says, “just the things she had taught me over the years and the importance of good values.” As time passed, the song was revised many times and transitioned from a slower acoustic piece into music that is much more up-tempo.