I’m back. You’re back. The fucktard hacker from Singapore who fruitlessly tries to hammer his way through my firewall a few thousand times a day is back. And most importantly, your favourite Canadian artists are back with new tunes. Let’s see what they’ve got to kick off 2025. No admin login required:
Pup | Paranoid
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Toronto punk heroes Pup — Stefan Babcock, Nestor Chumak, Zack Mykula and Steve Sladkowski — are currently on an arena tour with Sum 41. To celebrate, they’ve got a new single and video. The explosive, John Congleton-produced track Paranoid is their new release in two years. Babcock says: “My favourite part of this song is the breakdown 1:45 in. It’s the heaviest moment in the song, Zack and Steve are going so hard, I’m yelling about all this sad stuff that’s going on with me, and Nestor is just playing the melody from The Lion Sleeps Tonight on the bass. It cracks me up every time I hear it. So fucking funny. It’s a very Pup moment.”
Stonehocker | In Need
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Stonehocker’s latest single In Need explores the raw, emotional journey of realizing one’s need for a higher power. The song is an introspective reflection on the lows that come with struggling against the challenges of life and the self-awareness that emerges from surrender. A blend of motivational alt-rock with a light, meditative tone, In Need is a powerful reminder of the peace and hope that comes when we let go of the need for control. The track is the third and final release before Stonehocker’s upcoming album. It embodies the themes that run throughout the record: Acknowledging one’s struggles, finding a greater purpose, and surrendering to the process. In Need builds on Stonehocker’s deeply personal songwriting, drawing from his own battles and ultimate surrender to a higher power. “It took me so long to figure out what I needed — sometimes we just have to stop trying to force things,” he says. “In this song, I share that feeling of surrender and the peace it brings.”
Maddie Jay | Stop Me If I’ve Told You This Story
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Maddie Jay just released their debut album I Can Change Your Mind. It was written over two years “where I was relentlessly touring on a large scale for the first time in my life,” says Jay. “My world was expanding and my self perception became tumultuous, ricocheting between extreme self-confidence and rock-bottom self-esteem. Very basic realities of adulthood seemed bizarrely out of reach. I needed a place to express myself. I wanted to be a voice whispering into the abyss — ’fuck, this is really difficult’ and going forward and thriving regardless.” To celebrate the release, Maddie Jay is also sharing Stop Me If I’ve Told You This Story, one of the first songs written for the album. “I wrote it completely alone in the desert about the euphoria of the feeling that I was finally finding my footing and finally being comfortable in my skin after a lifetime of feeling like a bit of an alien.”
Nia Nadurata | Souvenirs
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Step into the world of rising indie-pop vocalist Nia Nadurata with her debut EP Still Living With My Parents — a musical journey through the highs and lows of emerging adulthood. The EP celebrates the chaos of youth, while tenderly acknowledging the profound challenges of finding your place in a world that seems to be moving forward without you. Souvenirs, the EP’s quintessential heartbreak anthem, turns the remnants of a past relationship into emotional artifacts. With raw, vivid lyrics and a catchy melodic line balancing sadness and hope, it captures the universal feeling of holding onto the past even when you know it’s time to let go. “Souvenirs is the ‘rose-tinted glasses’ of breakup songs,” says Nia. “Finding your exes old stuff at your house is the most heartbreaking when you miss them. Once you’ve grown past it — which I hope to do — you just donate it all to good will and fuck off.”
The Human Rights | Life Is The Thing
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Canada’s finest roots-reggae band The Human Rights has announced the March 7 release of its fourth album, One People, another testament to the group’s tireless mission to spread good vibes along with good grooves. That’s all present on the album’s first single Life Is The Thing, which co-founder and lead vocalist Friendlyness describes as “a new track with a classic sound, and a message of hope for all. No matter what ups and downs we’re going through, it’s good to recognize that life is the greatest thing of all. Must be lived and can’t be bought!”
Young Friend | Soft Light
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Juno-nominated Vancouver indie artist Young Friend opened the new year with an intimate and cozy song Soft Light. The gauzy vocals, raw production style and warm guitars conjure the feeling of an early morning sunrise. Lyrically, Soft Light finds Drew Tarves at his most vulnerable and personal with a stream-of-consciousness approach to songwriting. “It’s sort of a love letter to someone and all the little things about them that make them special,” he says. “It’s quiet, and feels a bit like reading someone’s journal.” With his recent releases, Young Friend has found a dynamic yet cohesive contrast between uptempo rockers and delicate indie twang styles.”
Rose Cousins | K’s Waltz
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Acclaimed Juno-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Rose Cousins’ new album, Conditions of Love – Vol 1 is due March 14. But first, here’s the video for K’s Waltz. On this ode to her late friend and colleague Koady Chaisson, Rose marvels at the resilience of the human spirit and the limitless capacity of a giving heart to adapt in the face of hardship. “The loss has been gut-wrenching,” shares Rose. “It’s hard to process and harder to accept that he’s gone. It’s also incredible to feel his presence still having a profound influence on the world he made. In the last month of his life, he was cold dipping both for his own health and to raise money for the Unison Fund, which supports Canadian music-industry folks in times of hardship. He was and is a light.”
Junestone | Bridge!
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Hamilton band Junestone have dropped their new album First Try, featuring the single Bridge! The song and album showcase a fearless leap into a world of genre-defying sounds, funk, fusion and rock with themes of self-discovery, empowerment and embracing life’s transitions. Bridge! serves as an energetic anthem for overcoming self-doubt, while the album delivers a dynamic exploration of personal growth and transformation, capturing the essence of moving forward in a turbulent world. Bridge!, filled with a punchy bassline and dramatic spoken word over a complex musical backdrop, is one of the standout moments on First Try. “It’s about trusting your instincts and pushing past the doubts that hold you back; saying yes to your own potential,” says bandleader Olivia Brown. “It’s a song for anyone who’s ready to cross that bridge to something better.”
Savelene | A New End
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Hamilton rock group Savelene’s single A New End is a deep dive into the complexities of relationships and personal growth. Formed during pandemic lockdowns, Savelene is the brainchild of Rich Sookrah (vocals) and Dallas Toni (guitars), who explore themes of fear, acceptance, and the bittersweet nature of endings. With their latest single, they confront the emotional tension that arises when relationships end and what comes after. The song was inspired by the navigation of relationships and the lessons learned through them. A New End captures the simultaneous sense of loss and hope that comes with endings, layered over a unique blend of rock and alt-metal influences. “Each beginning comes from a new end,” says Dallas Toni. “Sure, something ended, but that means we have an exciting new beginning.”
The Monoxides | Radio Sunshine
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Monoxides were formed in Moncton in 1988 by Steve Hickox and Ken Kelley at the ages of 13 and 12 years old, respectively. Over the three years that followed, the group added bassist PJ Dunphy and lead guitarist Derek Robichaud to the band roster, solidifying the core lineup of the group that is still together today.”
Dany Horovitz | Way About You
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Singer-songwriter Dany Horovitz can captivate audiences with memorable melodies and vivid storytelling. Dany’s newest project Way About You collects his singles to date, including the album’s title track — a vibrant pop song showcasing his evolution as an artist. Produced around an infectious riff, Way About You hooks listeners from the start with its joyful banjo, catchy melody, and beautiful harmonies at the chorus. The song began as a casual throwaway but soon became a standout thanks to the fresh ears of producer Calvin Hartwick. Now it’s one of Dany’s favorite songs. “I consider myself a storyteller first and foremost, and in this song, I explore the mysterious Way About You through endless, cosmic metaphors,” Dany says. “From the first note, this track puts a smile on my face, and I hope it does the same for listeners.”
