And just like that, we have reached the end of another January. I sincrely hope yours was everything you wanted it to be. But if you’re haven’t found what you’re looking for — musically speaking, of course — perhaps these new Canadian singles and videos can help. Welcome to the last roundup (until the next one):
Rogue Rising | Crush
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Kingston group Rogue Rising’s debut single Crush is an electrifying anthem of defiance and self-empowerment, driven by fiery guitar leads, a hook-laden chorus and an unmistakable edge. Helmed by Rowan “Rogue” Picard, the band’s fearless singer, songwriter and lead guitarist, Crush is both a raw reaction to betrayal and a celebration of resilience. The track was produced by five-time Juno winner and Glass Tiger founding member Michael Hanson. With its sharp blend of rock, pop punk, and melodic solos, Crush captures a sound that is as relatable as it is rebellious. Written during a deeply personal time, Crush channels the frustration of being underestimated and turns it into fuel for overcoming negativity. The result is a cathartic, guitar-driven track with a message that resonates universally: Rise above, embrace your power, and never let anyone dull your fire. “When I wrote Crush, I was processing a painful betrayal from someone close to me,” says Picard. “You can be hurt so deeply that it stops you from becoming who you were meant to be. Crush is my answer to the dream killers out there! It’s my way of saying, ‘I’ll prove you wrong,’ and I hope it inspires others to do the same.”
Chorus Of Courage ft. Cindy Doire | Take Care
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Chorus Of Courage’s new single Take Care is a deeply emotional anthem about love, healing and the strength we find in each other during times of struggle. Formed through a series of life-changing retreats and collaborations, Chorus Of Courage’s storytellers and musicians are united in their mission to support and amplify the voices of survivors of violence. The song reflects the power of vulnerability, offering a message of collective healing through love and connection. Take Care was born from a moment of personal conflict experienced by Cindy Doire, who wrote the song during a time of darkness and uncertainty. With its poignant lyrics and tender instrumentation, the track evolves from a mood of melancholy to one of hope, capturing the emotional journey of leaning on others for support. The song highlights the unspoken bond between two friends navigating hardship together, a theme that resonates deeply throughout the project.”
Sarah Segal-Lazar | Anything But Age
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “To mark the 10th anniversary of her acoustic debut album Two If by Sea, Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Segal-Lazar has released a new version of Anything But Age. This fan-chosen track, now reimagined with a full-band arrangement, highlights Sarah’s evolution as an artist while preserving the heart of her original work. Written a decade ago, Anything But Age resonates with new depth as Sarah reflects on the passage of time. The track was recorded live off the floor during the year’s first snowfall, with Sarah and her band capturing the raw, cozy introspection of winter. The accompanying video, crafted from 8mm footage shot by Sarah’s grandfather between 1949 and 1958, adds a nostalgic layer. “Anything But Age captures the essence of who I was and who I’ve become,” she says. “The irony of releasing this song 10 years later isn’t lost on me. It’s humbling to realize I’m now older than the man I originally wrote the song about. Revisiting it with my band was both surreal and beautiful — like looking at an old photo and seeing new details for the first time. This video is also special to me. Piecing it together was uncovering a family treasure — and it added a whole new dimension to the song’s meaning.”
Edgar Breau | Cornpone The King Of Jive
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Edgar Breau, the legendary Hamilton artist and founder of cult ’70s psych/proto-punk band Simply Saucer, returns with a new single, Cornpone The King Of Jive. This track merges the gritty charm of southern-fried rock with the bite of Breau’s literary and musical influences, resulting in a rollicking yet darkly humorous commentary on populist leaders, lovable outlaws, and the morally duplicitous figures who hold the public’s fascination. Written and recorded in Montreal at Dany Laj’s Lala Pop Shoppe Studio, Cornpone The King Of Jive boasts a raw, stomping sound that evolved from a fingerstyle acoustic tune into a monster rock anthem. Featuring Breau on vocals and guitar alongside Laj, bassist Jeanette Dowling and drummer Alex Pauze, the track delivers a snarling, frenetic arrangement punctuated by Breau and Laj’s dueling guitars. The song’s title is an exploration of contradictions — Cornpone, representing the humble, southern comfort food, paired with The King Of Jive, the smart, folksy figure who commands attention and stirs trouble. This contrast mirrors the moral complexity of populist figures, as Breau critiques their charismatic yet duplicitous nature.”
Total Fucking Darkness | Desolation Boys
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Meet the greatest new group in the world: Total Fucking Darkness (Torquil Campbell, the endlessly effusive, increasingly bald member of Stars, and Stephen Ramsay, the gentle giant behind Montreal’s Young Galaxy). In partnership with English studio genius and synthesist Tom McFall (R.E.M., Bloc Party), they present their single Desolation Boys — a chaotic blend of plastic pop, nihilistic handbag house and razor-sharp absurdity. Born out of a manic 72-hour writing spree with McFall flying in from London, Desolation Boys encapsulates the band’s volatile energy. It’s the sound of three middle-aged men with practically nothing left to lose trying (and failing) to drop the weight of the world from their shoulders — unruly, unpolished, unfuckable with, and, in their own words, “vaguely not boring.” Written in the final hours of a grueling session, Desolation Boys showcases TFD’s menu to thrilling effect: Maximum Creative Violence Immediately. The song features a mix of savant-like lyrical spontaneity and a raw vocal take where Campbell can faintly be heard yelling, ‘Go fuck yourself,’ mid-chorus. Who is he instructing? Probably himself.”
Pierre Kwenders & Poté | We Like
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Relentlessly inventive and eternally restless, Pierre Kwenders just announced his new EP Tears On The Dancefloor, due Feb. 26. It is a heartfelt ode to the dancefloor that marks a shift from big-picture ambition to an intimate exploration of human connection. With Tears On The Dancefloor, Kwenders takes listeners on a journey through the intricacies of love, vulnerability, and self-discovery, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels like a celebration among close friends. As a testament to the power of music as both a sanctuary and a space for self-expression, Tears On The Dancefloor invites audiences to step into a space where emotional depth and freedom collide, encouraging reflection, healing, and connection. Each track is a reflection of the personal and collective experiences we all share as we navigate love, joy, fear, and growth.”
Nick Faye | Undone
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Nick Faye is a songwriter from Regina. His new song Undone dives into the frustrations and fatigue of navigating the modern dating world. Written during a particularly challenging two-month stretch, the song reflects Faye’s feelings after being canceled on or ghosted for six out of seven consecutive dates. Undone is for anyone who has felt worn out from online dating while still trying to hold onto optimism. It blends lighthearted and silly lyrics with the emotional struggles of putting yourself out there in an unpredictable dating landscape. “Dating can be really fun, and I made some really special memories while getting to know a lot of great people I met online or in person. But sometimes people can be really cruel on the internet or disrespectful towards others’ time, attention, and energy. This song was written when I was feeling tired and worn out from a particularly brutal period of online dating.”
Blue Pilot | Anyu
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Brooklyn duo Blue Pilot (songwriter Eric Steininger-Frost and producer Chris Worden) deliver the hauntingly introspective single Anyu, a psychedelic exploration of melancholy and triumph. Inspired by the throes of a quarter-life crisis, the song reflects on the exhausting sense of permanence that comes with being ‘in-between.’ With an uncanny blend of acoustic and electronic elements, Anyu captures the disorienting yet hopeful journey of emerging from a phase of uncertainty and longing. The track’s title is a nod to a friend who seems to have it all together — offering a symbolic contrast to the chaos at the song’s core. The duo embrace their unique approach, fusing years of evolving influences into a sound unlike anything else. “There’s definitely a careful balancing act here between acoustic and electronic drums,” they say. “We wanted them to have the energy that a drummer might bring to a band, but also sound unlike a traditional kit or something anyone would actually play. There’s also kind of a dialogue between two versions of my voice. The more robotic one started as a placeholder, but the contrast turned into a great way of emphasizing the feeling of being pulled in two directions.”
Maya Cook | Answers
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Maya Cook’s journey into music was paved by her path as a multidisciplinary artist. As a circus performer with Artcirq, the renowned performing arts collective in Nunavut, Maya has spent years expressing herself with dynamic acrobatics and sharply crafted storytelling. Her debut album Salt, recorded at Aakuluk Music Studios in Iqaluit, is a testament to her artistry in a different medium — one that swings between the soulful melodies of soft jazz and the infectious energy of folk-rock. The album’s lead single Answers sets the tone for salt as a whole. A sharply beautiful and rhythmic track that explores the tension between one’s desires and what one really needs, it is run through with an undercurrent of quiet strength. Capturing Maya’s ability to weave emotion and storytelling into her music, Answers is both a question and a declaration, inviting listeners to feel deeply as she reaches for what is just below the surface. “I wrote Answers on my late great-great aunt’s 120-year-old parlour guitar in a covid isolation facility on my way back home from visiting family in the south,” says Cook. “I was trying to stay sane and make some decisions about where I was taking myself in life. It’s a song about asking myself if I’m ready to do what I know I need to do, instead of what I really, really wanted to keep doing.”
Tauro | Change Is Strange
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Tauro, the collaboration between jazz pianist and singer-songwriter Cynthia Tauro and Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene), share their third single Change Is Strange, the followup to You Got Something and Great Minds. Cynthia had written the chorus, and when Brendan heard it, immediately said “let’s finish this one.” The song is “about entering untouched areas of life, and feeling ready as well the uncertainties,” says Cynthia. “The line ‘in another world I belong, in another world I’m alone’ speaks to the isolation of the creation process, being in and out of relationships, and the unconditional feeling of yearning that sense of belonging.” Rounding out the sound of Tauro on the new single are Josh Trager (Sam Roberts Band), main collaborator Kintaro Akiyama and — new to the fold — Thom D’Arcy (Small Sins).”
