Another Friday, another bumper crop of great new Canadian videos and songs to get you through the weekend. Let’s cut right to the chase:
Young Friend | Golden Rule
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Juno-nominated Vancouver artist Young Friend returns with the jangly indie-rock jam Golden Rule. After he teased the song online, fans began clamoring to hear the entire track, commenting a maple leaf emoji in reference to the first lyric, ‘She saved my number to her phone with a maple leaf, I’ve got her name and then her city in parentheses…’ There’s a smoky, playful energy to this tale relishing a fling. “We don’t love each other, that’s all right. Yeah, we’re just each other time to times,” croons Drew Tarves’ fuzzed vocals over driving, riffy guitars. Drew worked with friend and co-producer David Marinelli (fresh off the new Finneas album) to artfully craft this song. Drew explains: “This song is about casual relationships and how connection doesn’t always have to be so deep. Sometimes it’s all right just enjoy each other’s company and move on.”
Johnny 99 | It Can’t Be Christmas
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “John Sponarski is perhaps best known as guitarist in City And Colour, but under his alter ego Johnny 99, he has been making country music in a classic honky-tonk style for much longer. He is set to make a full-fledged return in 2025, with the first preview coming in the seasonal cut It Can’t Be Christmas. Featuring his C&C bandmates Matt Kelly, Erik Nielsen and Leon Power, It Can’t Be Christmas is a bittersweet lament in the spirit of Elvis Presley’s Blue Christmas. Sponarski says, “This song was one of those magical moments you don’t have to work for, or coax out of the ether. It leapt from my imagination as soon as I awoke early one morning with the holidays right around the corner. The previous evening I had spoken with a friend who was grappling with the loss of his mother. We talked about his grief, how it weighed on him and took away the joy and comfort he normally felt during the holiday season. It’s really a song for anyone who has experienced loss around Christmas, and how that has changed what it means to them.”
Patrick Watson | Silencio
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Patrick Watson has released the video for his newest song Silencio, featuring rising French singer-songwriter November Ultra. The song was inspired by an experience had by Watson, in which he couldn’t speak or sing for nearly three months. Silencio explores some of the impressions that came to him during this time: The anxiety that comes with reliving a conversation, learning to be a better listener and the power of silence. The video features richly textured footage of Watson and Ultra recording the song, which was completed in a painter’s studio in Paris (Studio Alterio of artist Ruben Alterio), overlooking Montmartre. Watson commented on the character of the studio, and how it helped to inspire the song with “an enormous window and so much old Parisian charm and ghosts.” It was made by photographer Nick Helderman and videographer Sam Woy and edited by Watson and Woy.”
Tyler Mullendore | Mama Cry
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Born from the soul of Cape Breton soil, Halifax’s Tyler Mullendore blends rough-and-tumble roots-rock with the electrified emotion of southern-fried Americana. His new debut EP Time Heals Everything draws from the bottomless well of inspiration that seems to guide artists who hail from Cape Breton. His stories are shaped by his own personal trials, yet made deeply relatable by his lyrical prowess. Time Heals Everything has its share of tales of sorrow and regret, but it ultimately culminates in the promise of positivity as one comes to grips with their own flaws and failures while looking hopefully towards better things to come. As the years pass, wounds close and the pain abates, reminding us to be good to ourselves, and take life’s lessons in stride as challenges are met and overcome.”
Leif Vollebekk | Peace Of Mind (Morning)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Leif Vollebekk reveals an acoustic version of Peace of Mind, a song from his new record Revelation. “Peace of Mind (Morning) felt like it wanted its own space, separate from the album version,” says Vollebekk. He adds: “there’s something about a mountain that always makes you feel at ease. It can inspire the stillness you need to find yourself. In the I Ching, Keeping Still (symbolized by a mountain) is the way to peace of mind. Considering the title, it’s rather ironic that I’ve spent more time recording this song than any other. I’ve recorded four or five different versions.” Peace of Mind (Morning) arrives alongside a visualizer by Andy Mann, offering fans a sensory journey that pairs perfectly with the song’s immersive tones.”
Saya Gray | H.B.W
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Across her three EPs — 2022’s 19 Masters, 2023’s Qwerty I and 2024’s Qwerty II — Saya Gray has introduced the world to a sound that’s as vivid as it is vulnerable, seamlessly weaving genres with a bold originality. On Feb. 21, Gray will release Saya, an album that seeks to draw a line in the sand between what came before and what the future holds. Today, she offers the track H.B.W, a spellbinding blend of pop and the avant-garde. H.B.W finds Gray in a fever-dream state, her vocals flowing with quiet grace underpinned by a deep, trembling bassline. Confronting feelings of grief and the loss of control, her confessional lyrics lay bare her vulnerability and strength in the face of uncertainty, combined with her meticulous approach to music production, it’s clear Gray is an artist that unquestionably occupies her own, very distinct lane. Not wanting to give too much away about H.B.W (taken from the chorus lyric, ‘heartbreak wake’) and the personal themes it contains, Gray simply states; “H.B.W is the pain of nightmares.”
Tauro | You Got Something
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Tauro, the collaboration between jazz pianist and singer-songwriter Cynthia Tauro and Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene), found its genesis in the summer of 2022 during the uncertainty of the pandemic. Today, they follow up their debut single Great Minds with the groovy down-tempo track You Got Something. This song is about always leading with your heart, and aligning yourself with the true people who are meant to be in your life. Cynthia’s voice carries a sense of vulnerability, as she sings about stumbling into something she never really wanted and most of all, didn’t need.”
Clothesline From Hell | Capital C
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Clothesline From Hell is Toronto songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adam LaFramboise. His new single Capital C, wraps a year that saw the release of his debut EP Soon We’ll All Be Smoking, which introduced his fusion of acoustic guitar, breakbeats, samples and unique vocals. With Capital C, he and frequent collaborator Matty Tavares (BadBadNotGood) deliver a song that sounds as if it came from the glory days of college radio. Matty’s piano bounces across Adam’s clever lyrics, creating something that feels chaotic, but timeless. “All things pass,” he says, as if reflecting on a summer gone by. “But cool is back in again.”
A Weekend At Ramona’s | I Never Get It Right
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Toronto duo A Weekend at Ramona’s — musicians Chris Munro and Ben Nunes — release their high-energy single I Never Get It Right. This raw alt-rock track channels frustration, confidence, and unrelenting energy, perfectly capturing the band’s signature blend of heartfelt lyrics and artistic experimentation. Munro and Nunes broke away from traditional pop formats, embracing a freeform structure to craft a track that feels spontaneous and fresh. Producer Keegan Porter helped refine the song’s raw energy, incorporating unique techniques like running vocals through a guitar pedal for added grit. The song was inspired by the frustration of everyday missteps and the desire to create a high-energy rock track that resonates powerfully with a live audience. One of the most impactful choices was recording the vocals through a guitar amp. It added a gritty, unconventional texture that perfectly matched the song’s spirit.”
Shane Pendergast | Winter Grace
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Shane Pendergast has taken his music to audiences across the globe. Currently residing in Prince Edward Island, he is set to release his fourth album Winter Grace in January. It promises to delve even deeper into the Maritime spirit that has always been at the heart of his music. The title track is an ethereal and warm offering. The inspiration came from his unique landscape which allowed a romantic and joyous moment when the bay near his home had temporarily frozen over enough to skate on with his girlfriend. This moment felt particularly inspiring to Pendergast. “It was such a liberating and joyous feeling, as if we were skating on the world’s biggest rink. Wintertime on the island can be so stifling, so it was a gift to be able to get outside for a skate.”
Lyubov Kay | cU
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Lyubov Kay’s latest single cU explores the magnetic pull of dreams and memories through a sultry and vibrant pop sound. Known for her soothing vocals and honest storytelling, Kay combines Latin-inspired rhythms with a magnetic danceable beat, creating a track that resonates on both an emotional and physical level. Co-written with Peruvian producer David Cabrera Morillos, the song is a genre-blending journey that surprises and uplifts. The song plays on the duality of longing and energy, transitioning from a slow, introspective start to a chorus that demands movement. Through clever production choices like an alarm-inspired melody, Kay draws listeners into her world, creating a relatable experience that feels intimate and universal. “This song makes me feel nostalgic yet hopeful,” she says. “It’s about missing someone and wanting to see them in my dreams, but it also has an energy that makes you want to dance. It’s like channeling those emotions into movement, turning longing into something uplifting.”
Lou Z | Holes For The Hearts
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Danish singer-songwriter and fuzz-loving guitar player Lauritz Carlsen is better known as Lou Z. Having previously released two EPs, he is about to issue his debut album Holes For The Hearts, an accumulation of songs written over the past five years. The title track started as a beat on the analogue Korg DDD-1. The eclectic single features many different instruments and production facets including a combination of acoustic instruments like the mandolin, analog sounding programmed beats, a heavy fuzz guitar solo and a gospel-like chorus. It’s a love song that is unclear on whether that love is good or bad and the splitting feeling that comes with it. “Books, movies or other cultural stimuli can set off songs, and of course personal experiences and all the messy thoughts in my head that need to get out somehow,” says Carlsen. “Also I was down with stress a few years back — sick and unable to work for a good while. That was not very pleasant, but it gave me a new outlook that gave birth to new songs too.”
Antoniya | Kиса (ft. Ruski Sixx)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Antoniya is one of Montreal’s most captivating new voices in the electro-dance scene, known for her ability to fuse electro, indie and dance into tracks that feel fresh, alluring and profoundly resonant. After releasing her debut EP in 2023, she returned with her new solo EP Rusalka, launched in summer 2024. Her sound, now more soulful and rich with emotional depth, has drawn comparisons to genre-bending artists like Sophie and Charli XCX. Kиса is an electrifying dance track that channels playful, sexy energy into an addictive beat. Written almost spontaneously, Antoniya created the song’s core while preparing for a music festival. Having just gotten her laptop repaired days before, she was in her hotel room finalizing an hour-long set when she realized Kиса was missing lyrics. Instead of dropping it, she quickly wrote a few lines and repeated them with hypnotic simplicity, giving the song a raw, unpolished energy that the crowd loved.”
Con The Artist | Bad Guy
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Emerging singer-songwriter Con The Artist unveils Best Days, a deeply personal EP capturing moments of heartbreak, healing, and transformation. The EP concludes with Bad Guy, an acoustic ballad that strips away excess to lay bare the pain and growth of a long-distance relationship marred by infidelity. Bad Guy tells the true story of a relationship turned sour after a partner’s betrayal. Written in the aftermath of a long-distance romance, the song delves into feelings of bitterness, accountability, and eventual healing. “This EP let me lay it all out there, showing every facet of what I love about music,” Con says. “It kicks off with an explosion of sound — distortion dialed up to 11, vocals saturated and gritty, and drums that hit like a storm. From there, things slide effortlessly into hip-hop grooves and sampled guitar riffs, while the lyrics dig deep. The record ends with the most vulnerable I’ve ever been, revealing dark secrets from my past.”
