Welcome to the end of another Bandcamp Friday. Amid the 1,500 emails and notifications and missives — nearly half of which were nothing more than reminders that it was indeed Bandcamp Friday (gee, thanks) — I also came upon these fine singles and videos from talented Canadian artists of all stripes. Even better: They weren’t trying to sell me T-shirts, tickets or any goddamn white-label test pressings. Stand on guard for these:
Housewife | Matilda
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “After a run of widely praised releases including I Lied, Wasn’t You, Life Of The Party, Work Song and Divorce, Housewife (Brighid Fry) has released her new EP Girl Of The Hour, highlighted by the single Matilda. Girl Of The Hour continues the sprawling indie-pop energy Housewife has become known for. Cementing her broad and immersive approach, her newest collection continues to establish her as a compelling voice in the alt-pop arena. Rooted in both personal loss and universal grief, Matilda is a song that transforms a seemingly simple event into a deeply emotional allegory. “Matilda was inspired by my bike getting stolen a couple years ago,” she says. “I was an avid cyclist for years and really loved that bike (and had nicknamed it Matilda). I remember a while after it got stolen, I was out on a day that was perfect biking weather and just getting hit with how much I miss cycling. Obviously, the song isn’t just about a bike, but also an allegory for grief and loss, and missing something or someone you can’t have anymore. I think everyone, cyclists or not, can relate to that grief, and the struggle of moving on from things in their past, as I still haven’t replaced the bike to this day.”
Puma June | Love Comes & Goes
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Toronto artist Puma June’s emotionally charged single Love Comes & Goes serves as the focal point of her debut EP A Woman That They Want. Known for her vulnerability and rawness, Puma June creates a space where self-love and acceptance take centre stage. This powerful ballad is the most intimate track on her album, as it delicately navigates women’s health and the personal struggles many women face but rarely speak about. Love Comes & Goes draws from Puma June’s own experience, inspired by a phone call from her doctor that left her grappling with the possibility of never having children. The track explores the feeling of being trapped in a body that doesn’t always do what we expect. Produced in Puma June’s bedroom studio with collaborator Greg Markov, the track’s raw intimacy is reflected in its production. Every note is deliberate, every lyric tender, making Love Comes & Goes as empowering as it is melancholic.”
The Neighbourhood Watch | Die This Happy
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Neighbourhood Watch’s brooding new single Die This Happy comes from their new album Mr. Skin and Bones. This track explores the fear that life’s best moments may already be behind you, addressing the inevitable realities of illness, loss, and personal change while simultaneously reflecting the album’s overarching theme: Life’s unpredictability, the power of love, and the profound beauty found in small, often fleeting moments. Mr. Skin and Bones is an ode to the human condition — a meditation on grief, illness, and the harshness of growing older. The album draws inspiration from personal hardships, the loss of loved ones, and the unpredictable nature of existence. Throughout the LP’s 10 tracks, the band conveys their ongoing journey through these challenges, acknowledging their fragility while also celebrating the strength they find in love, community, and shared experiences. Die This Happy captures this essence with haunting melodies and powerful lyrics that ask if we’ve already lived through our happiest day. The song dives deep into this fear, contemplating the impermanence of joy and the difficulty of embracing life’s darker moments.”
Stonehocker | Hello Mr. Hyde
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Alt-rock artist Stonehocker‘s striking new single Hello Mr. Hyde sets the tone for his album of the same name. Rooted in honest introspection, the track delves into the metaphor of addiction, likening the infamous character to the personal demons that lurk within us all. Stonehocker’s new album is an unfiltered journey through self-discovery and surrender. Written while working through a 12-step program, the album reflects the themes of struggle, revelation, and ultimate acceptance. At its core, Hello Mr. Hyde embodies the first three steps of any recovery process, culminating in a surrender to a higher power. Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Stonehocker saw a profound connection between Hyde and the struggle against addiction. The song acknowledges those inner battles, offering a thought-provoking and deeply personal narrative.”
Dan Mangan | Melody
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Before a single note of Dan Mangan’s seventh LP Natural Light was recorded, he listened through a series of demos and sincerely considered the title Schminger Schmongwriter. In context, the nod to Harry Nilsson’s landmark album Nilsson Schmilsson is not out of place. There’s a feeling of timelessness to Natural Light — due May 16 — in the curiosity, the wit, and the playfulness in Dan’s voice, through his words, and the vibrancy of the music. Mangan’s newest offering bears the the poise of a modern classic, seeded by Dan’s singular lyricism and forged unexpectedly by four best buds over six days in a cabin in the woods. He shares the first glimpse of Natural Light with the single Melody, a gentle, rousing, irrepressible tune that chimes with slide guitar, and flourishes with saxophone and clarinet. Through a musical mindframe, Melody is a dedication to the fleeting moments of beauty that compel life, as Dan sings: ‘I should be over it now / but I ain’t over it now.’ ”
Jay Feelbender | Angel
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Jay Feelbender is the captivating alt-pop solo project of Toronto musician Jacob Switzer. Jay’s latest music, produced by Braden Sauder, marks a bold evolution in his sound — an unfiltered, raw exploration of his musical evolution. From playful and adventurous to introspective and cathartic, the new work is a reflection of the full spectrum of his emotions, capturing everything from moments of joy to bursts of vulnerability. His new single Angel is a deeply emotional and soul-stirring anthem that speaks to the hearts of hopeless romantics everywhere. With its tender lyrics and heartfelt melody, the song delves into the vulnerability of loving someone so deeply, yet constantly feeling like you’re falling short of being ‘good enough.’ It captures that bittersweet moment when self-doubt creeps in, but the determination to keep loving unconditionally — no matter the challenges — shines through. Through its poignant lyrics and soaring sound, Angel reminds us that love isn’t always about perfection, but about the constant effort and devotion we give to the ones we cherish most. It’s a song that celebrates the raw beauty of unconditional love, with all its imperfections, sacrifices, and unyielding hope.”
Willem James Cowan | Jam Jar
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Willem James Cowan’s new single Jam Jar is a raw, visceral anthem about self-reflection, the fallout of emotional mistakes, and the deep, spiraling thoughts that often follow. The track captures the feeling of being stuck in a loop of self-doubt and regret, all wrapped up in a striking folk-rock sound. Inspired by a fight with his then-girlfriend, Jam Jar finds Cowan reflecting on a moment of fault while trying to understand things from the other person’s perspective. “We were out at a party, and I was at fault. While we were on our way home on the Toronto streetcar, I was trying to imagine things from her shoes — buried in a grave I designed,” says Cowan. The song’s narrative feels as personal as it does universal, touching on themes of vulnerability, guilt, and the struggle of owning up to one’s mistakes.”
Nelson Sobral | Must’ve Done Something Right
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Toronto rock ’n’ roll troubadour Nelson Sobral returns with his new album três!, featuring the lead single Must’ve Done Something Right. Blending blues-rock grit with Americana soul, the track is a testament to living on the edge, flirting with disaster, and somehow still landing on your feet. With its tongue-in-cheek lyrics and infectious, guitar-driven groove, Must’ve Done Something Right is a heartfelt reflection on life’s ups and downs, delivered with Sobral’s signature charm and swagger. Inspired by a quiet moment watching his wife play with their two young sons, Sobral penned the track during a family vacation in Japan. Despite his mischievous past, the song celebrates the good fortune that’s followed him through it all. The song’s title pays tribute to Sobral’s country music heroes, embracing their tradition of witty, self-aware storytelling. With its rootsy Americana vibe infused with rock ’n’ roll spirit, Must’ve Done Something Right speaks to troublemakers and redemption-seekers alike.”
Tom Dunphy | You Make Me Shake
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Back in 2003, Tom Dunphy and his wife Tara had a dream of starting a band that reflected their love of classic country music. It led to the formation of The Rizdales, which quickly earned a reputation as one of Canada’s finest roots music acts, releasing seven albums — the most recent being 2018’s Lucky Enough — and developing a close relationship with rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson, who always tapped them to back her whenever she came north of the border. Now, as Tara Dunphy continues to work with her Celtic-inspired group Maggie’s Wake, Tom Dunphy is charting a new course with his debut solo album Everything Was New, out April 11. You Make Me Shake is the first single.”
