Edmonton-based pop-folk artist Caylie G (they/she) has released their new single “Brenda Heather Kelly,” a biting, glitter-drenched anthem for anyone who’s ever ghosted a party via fake phone call. Out now, the track sets the stage for Caylie’s upcoming third EP, slated for release in September 2025. Equal parts sad-cowboy pop and queer satire, “Brenda Heather Kelly” turns a mirror on influencer culture, performative joy, and the absurdity of trying to be “the hottest person in the room.”

North Carolina native Alex Blum delivers a heady, genre-bending statement with his latest single, “Believe Everything You Hear About Me”—an introspective, blues-soaked odyssey that sits somewhere between confessional and cosmic, wrapped in gritty guitars and minimalist electronic production.

Now streaming everywhere, the track is a standout from Blum’s 2025 album Good Weather, a self-produced tour through blues-rock terrain with detours into hip-hop, ambient, and progressive sonic realms. Built from the ground up with Blum on guitar, vocals, harmonica, drums, keys, and production, “Believe Everything You Hear About Me” is equal parts confrontation and transcendence.

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/album/2PqbVv3We6HgyY4Cq3LaPo

“It’s a song about things people say about each other,” Blum writes. “On one level, you know it’s in your power not to let other people’s lies affect you. But at the same time, your life is very much affected by them no matter what you do.”

Mark Gane—co-founder of iconic Canadian band Martha and the Muffins and the mind behind international hit “Echo Beach”—has released his first solo album, Garden Music, a collection of experimental instrumental compositions inspired by plant names and imagined inner worlds. Released May 1, 2025, Garden Music is a sprawling, deeply intuitive project that took shape over decades and now arrives as an ambient, artful meditation on memory, nature, and sound.

The Toronto-based composer, visual artist, and sonic experimenter first began dreaming of Garden Music years ago, spurred by a suggestion from his partner and creative collaborator Martha Johnson. “She said I should do a solo project that combined my three great loves—music, painting, and gardening,” Gane explains. “Eventually, I started asking: If plants were people, what would their lives sound like?” That seed grew into a rich, textured album composed from over 50 years of collected studio, field, and found recordings.

With a cold drink in one hand and a lifetime of stories in the other, the Kristin Nicholls Band are ready to raise the roof — and your spirits — with their latest country anthem “One More Round.” Out now at country radio and streaming everywhere, the track is a full-throttle, feel-good call to the dancefloor, complete with line-dance energy, soul-saving choruses, and one foot firmly in the honky-tonk.

But don’t be fooled — this isn’t just another party song. For frontman Kristin Nicholls, this track is the result of a personal comeback story that’s more Nashville than Hollywood.

“I got sober… and released a fun drinking song,” Nicholls laughs. “There’s some irony there. But this song is about joy. About celebration. About giving yourself permission to just live again.”

Brandon Isaak, the Whitehorse-born bluesman known for his gravelly voice and deep respect for tradition, returns with Walkin’ With The Blues—his most authentic and electrified blues album to date. Recorded live off the floor with minimal mics, vintage gear, and a soul soaked in the genre’s deepest roots, the record is a love letter to classic blues—gritty, emotional, and defiantly old-school.

“This is the most straight-up blues record I’ve ever made, and I could not be more pleased with how it turned out,” Isaak shares. “I wanted to make a record with strong lyrics, soulful playing, and zero tolerance for wanking—and I think I’ve achieved this.” The album marks Isaak’s first time producing and engineering on his own, a feat he describes as both a challenge and a dream realized.

The lead single and title track, “Walkin’ With The Blues,” captures Isaak’s hallmark songwriting style—equal parts heartbreak and hard-won wisdom. Lyrics like “With the blues as my companion / down this long hard road / we’ll keep on walkin’ / and share this heavy load” show Isaak’s emotional range, drawing listeners deep into his world of lost love and gritty perseverance.

Kiesza stormed onto the scene in 2014 with her impassioned hit “Hideaway”, which has accrued over a billion streams; the accompanying one-shot video featured on several best-of-decade lists. Her debut studio album Sound Of A Woman saw her top charts globally and moved over a million units. With subsequent top-tier collaborations like Jack Ü, deadmau5 and Francis Mercier, Kiesza has managed to transition into independence with a strong and unique profile in spite of a two year hiatus forced by a car-crash. Her most recent album Dancing and Crying: Vol.1 leveraged the single ‘I Go Dance” which reached #1 on the US Dance Airplay Chart summer of 2024 and this year, Kiesza continues pushing her vision of dance music into the world full steam ahead with Dancing and Crying: Vol. 2. This era of sexy, intimate exploration of female driven house music, kicks off with “Stays In Bed”. A club focused track produced by UK breakout DJ/Producer Sammy Virji and rising producer artist Jess Cake. Crafted in

Honeybear, The Band, steps into the spotlight with a compelling self-titled album that speaks the language of blues with sincerity and vigor. Fronted by the charismatic Ian Beaty on vocals and bass, with Colin Brumelle’s guitar cutting through the mix, Mike Kenney’s keyboards coloring the soundscape, and Tim Watson’s steady drumming locking the groove, Honeybear offers a refreshingly honest blues experience for today’s listeners.

From the first note of their single “I Was Wrong,” it’s clear Vancouver-based Honeybear is not retreading old ground but charting a new course. The song’s lyrics — penned by Beaty and Brumelle — evoke the universal journey of reflection and growth, balancing vulnerability and strength with a bluesy authenticity that is both timeless and immediate. "There were times when I was wrong / And I didn’t know it / There were times when I was wrong / And it knew it well," Ian sings, with a voice that carries the weight of hard lessons learned and the grace of acceptance.

Bree Taylor has quietly but steadily built a reputation as one of country music’s most compelling new voices—an artist whose work cuts through the genre’s conventions with a blend of grit, honesty, and rock-infused energy. This summer, Bree made her landmark Nashville debut at the CMA Fest Spotlight Stage earlier this month, marking a major career moment and expanding her growing audience south of the border. Her latest single, “Wake Up!,” out now, further solidifies her place as a force to be reckoned with, and with over 2 million streams across digital platforms, the momentum behind her career is gathering real steam.

Legendary classical guitarist and Canadian music icon Liona Boyd has teamed up with acclaimed tenor Mark Masri for a heartfelt new rendition of the timeless Everly Brothers hit, “Bye Bye Love.” Available now, the song blends nostalgic warmth with a vibrant new arrangement that showcases the distinct artistry of both performers.

Liona Boyd, known around the world as “The First Lady of the Guitar,” delivers her signature shimmering guitar work alongside elegant vocals. Mark Masri—celebrated for his soaring voice as a soloist and member of The Tenors—brings emotional depth and contemporary flair, breathing new life into this beloved 1950s anthem.

There ain’t no Aspirin for your soul. But Francis Baptiste has a song that comes close. The Vancouver-based Indigenous singer-songwriter returns with “Aspirin for the Soul,” a searing folk-rock confession about pain, healing, and the bruised beauty of survival.

Born and raised on the Osoyoos Indian Band Reservation in Oliver, BC, Baptiste has spent the last 20 years in East Vancouver, where his lived experience—addiction, fatherhood, poverty, and healing—have become the raw material for his music. “Aspirin for the Soul” marks a new chapter in his songwriting: blunt, bluesy, and bruised with hope. “I’d trade suffering any day / trade a heartache for a hangover,” he sings. “There ain’t no aspirin for your soul. Oh no, ain’t no fixing what’s been broke”.

From the ancient sands of the Ennedi desert to the heart of Montreal’s electronic scene, Afrotronix is back—and he’s rewriting the future. The award-winning artist, producer, and visionary Caleb Rimtobaye, originally from Chad and now based in Canada, has just released “Oda Ye,” the pulsating first single from his upcoming album Future Tribe, arriving September 2025.

Canadian fans celebrate as beloved artist returns to international spotlight.

New York-born powerhouse SOPHIE B. HAWKINS will grace the legendary Saskatchewan Jazz Festival his summer, bringing her signature blend of raw emotion and musical virtuosity to one of the world's most prestigious music events. This performance marks a triumphant return to the international stage for an artist who has maintained a devoted Canadian following throughout her three-decade career.

The Saskatoon appearance coincides with the 30th anniversary celebration of her groundbreaking album 'WHALER' and the upcoming release of 'WHALER - RE-EMERGING' in October 2025 - news that has particularly excited Canadian fans who have long championed Hawkins' authentic artistry. 

Afro-Fusion artist Snowchild Edge is redefining the sound of the West Coast with the release of his stunning new EP *No Wahala* and its lead single “Big Problem,” out now on 100 Collective Records. An ambitious project bursting with diasporic energy, soul-bearing lyrics, and global production, *No Wahala* marks a fearless new chapter for the Nigerian-Canadian artist.

“Big Problem” hits with undeniable urgency — a rhythmic eruption that’s equal parts swagger and soul. “I get e very big problem//E get how we go solve em, Kilode for the funds that I’m wanting //You know say money na the anthem,” Snowchild Edge declares, setting the tone for a project that confronts real-life stress with head-nodding, body-moving beats. The track balances vulnerability with vitality, inviting listeners to feel deeply and dance freely.

With the release of his ambitious new album Watching the Sky, Toronto flamenco guitarist and composer Matt Sellick is bringing a decade-long dream to life. Known for his evocative fingerstyle work and deep love of Spanish music, Sellick boldly bridges genres by orchestrating his solo guitar compositions for a full symphony orchestra — the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Evan Mitchell — while retaining the soul of flamenco and the intimacy of his roots in Thunder Bay.

youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kxL6wfkE3lO4KhWIReQmGv32aa98aDIVU

At the heart of Watching the Sky is a story of transformation: of place, of memory, and of music itself. Sellick, who studied flamenco extensively in Spain and began his career performing in Northwestern Ontario, has spent the last ten years developing these orchestral versions of his compositions. The result is a sonic landscape that is both sweeping and intimate, grounded in tradition but unafraid of innovation.

The Sarnia based band have been quiet of late but behind the scenes have been working on new material and even resurrecting some of the earliest compositions, "Home" being one of them. 

"Well, this song has been kicking around since the start of the band, it was one of the original early songs in our original line up" according to frantman Andrew Colborne. "I really liked the lyrics and they showed up really easily. I had the harmonies and the structure pretty much dialled immediately. If memory serves, this song showed up with the riff and the title for some reason, so I wrote it based on the title".

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/artist/1aqN1Frc7YkXpFUKVWVMRZ

Born Riot is a four -piece no-nonsense rock and roll band based out of Sarnia, Ontario. WIth heavy drums, catchy riffs and well crafted lyrics the band is most at home playing live, either in a crowded club or rocking a festival stage.

Aynsley Saxe’s music carries the warmth of home and the weight of change. With the release of her acoustic folk single “Stranger to Myself” on June 6, the Georgetown, Ontario-based singer-songwriter invites listeners into a quiet, intimate world shaped by heartbreak, resilience, and emotional clarity. The track is the first release from her upcoming sophomore album A Thousand Stars, due out in fall 2025.

After last year’s successful sessions with Stick Men produced Andy Toomey’s bold prog EP ‘Perseus Calling,’ the Jacksonville, Florida songwriter was excited to continue the trend. This time, drummer extraordinaire Zach Alford (Bowie/NIN, B52’s, Psychedelic Furs & many more) stepped into the recording with Stick Men touch guitarist Markus Reuter and a plan was laid.

Due to the somewhat last-minute nature of the sessions the decision was taken to do virtually no prep work and write in the studio. Toomey says “This is something I’ve always wanted to do, but also WAY outside my comfort zone. Professional music production costs being what they are, coming in cold is an even more risky venture than usual. Thankfully, Markus is a consummate improviser, and his encouragement gave me the confidence to go with it. I’m so very glad I did!”

Tomás Jensen was born in Argentina, raised in Brazil and then France before settling permanently in Quebec. He is an artist with eclectic influences. After a 25-year career and 12 albums, he has surrounded himself with the best collaborators to prepare the first album he will release on his own label in the fall of 2025.

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/04YAnu0fbIPVGAZ4tJAawf

In the early 2000s, he became known with his band Les Faux-Monnayeurs, with whom he recorded four albums and toured extensively in Canada and Europe. His first solo album, "Quelqu’un d’autre," received the Songwriter of the Year award at the Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2008. He then went on to release several projects, including the band "Hombre" (2010), which was nominated for an ADISQ award and won the title of Best Album in the World Music category at GAMIQ.

Following their debut release "On the Road," progressive bluegrass collective Sourwood returns with "Wrong Carolina," a rhythmically complex and narratively playful second single that blurs the lines between heartbreak and highway maps. The track explores the chaos of mistaken direction – both geographically and emotionally – fueled by one of the band's most memorable musical arrangements to date.

Listen on YouTube here:

"Hide Away" is the debut single from Toronto-based power pop trio Flash Bangs. The three-piece embrace all things pop, rock, and, of course, flash. "Hide Away" is the first single from their self-titled EP which will be available digitally on Bandcamp this Friday June 6th and later this summer on luxurious vinyl and your favourite streaming service.

Formed in late 2023 the band made their debut at the late great Dakota Tavern in February 2024. With a mutual love for all things rock'n'roll, George Westerholm of George Westerholm And The Wild Wild Cats, James Clark of The James Clark Institute and Sean Ryan of Mr. Miyagi thought it might be fun to put together a little side project where they could explore their mutual musical passions.

""Hide Away' is one of the first tunes we started playing together" says group frontman George. "Listening to it now, it represents a time when we were still finding out who we were as a band, and it has a special place in our hearts because of that. It’s nice because 'Hide Away' is when all the pieces fell into place in a way that made us all say yes we are Flash Bangs".