Are you ready for some weekend? I sure am. But not before we round up and run through the latest and greatest new videos and singles from Canadians of all stripes and styles. Make it happen, captain:
Ben Key | James Dean
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Toronto artist Ben Key unveils his electrifying new single James Dean, an alternative track pulsing with passion, danger, and a us-against-the-world attitude. Blending groove-heavy rhythms, soulful vocals, and ambient synths, the song embodies the restless, rebellious love that defined the golden age of Hollywood. Inspired by the timeless energy of late ’50s films, James Dean channels the spirit of reckless romance. Ben had been sitting on the song’s title for a while, knowing it perfectly captured the feeling of love that feels bigger than the world itself. The track merges modern sonics with a classic Motown groove, reimagining traditional horn sections with futuristic synth textures for a contemporary edge.”
Rose Cousins | Needed You
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Juno-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rose Cousins just released her new album Conditions of Love Vol. 1. To help celebrate the occasion, Cousins is sharing the video for Needed You, a song that “speaks to the scars of childhood,” she says. “A loving lament to those moments when we most needed love and it wasn’t available. Time passes and we figure out how to survive in the world we are born into. Later, out in the world on our own, we begin to see ourselves as two separate people: who we needed to be as a child, and the adult we have become, away from our family dynamic. Generational pain is real. You can run screaming from your childhood only to get to midlife and there it is, still waiting to be held, acknowledged. I don’t know that there’s a way to reconcile the emotional past. I know we can get stuck choosing between authenticity and connection. Love is constantly trying to endure and persist in endless conditions, whether our needs are getting met or not. We do the best we can. In the end, Conditions of Love Vol. 1 journeys through longing and lands in a place of acceptance, perhaps the only real way forward.”
Strange Plants | Dance So Real
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Strange Plants’ latest single, Dance So Real, takes listeners on a psychedelic rock journey, blending emotional depth with expansive musical landscapes. The track moves through riff-laden verses and trippy dream sequences before building to a soaring, no-holds-barred outro. Inspired by the raw energy of love at first sight, Dance So Real captures a moment of pure connection that marks the beginning of something lasting. Produced by Rob Crowell (Sturgill Simpson, Midland), mixed by Josh Van Tassel (Rose Cousins, Bahamas, Donovan Woods), and mastered by John Baldwin (Brian Eno), the track showcases the band’s commitment to a vintage, analog sound. Recorded at Nashville’s Creative Workshop Studio, Dance So Real marks a standout moment in the Halifax band’s debut album, setting the tone for the rest of the record.”
Nerima | Fifty Years
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Following the recently released Reverence, Nerima’s latest single Fifty Years is an electrifying yet introspective track that pairs an upbeat, high-energy instrumental with emotionally weighty lyricism. The song delves into the anxiety of long-term commitment, questioning whether love can truly last a lifetime and wrestling with the fear that everything could one day fall apart. Balancing elements of pop, punk, and rock, Fifty Years perfectly encapsulates the band’s ability to mix sonic vibrancy with deeply personal storytelling. Inspired by lead vocalist Lexi’s personal fears, Fifty Years explores the uncertainty of relationships and the difficulty in believing that someone will stay by your side for decades. Despite its bright, driving sound, the lyrics reflect a raw cynicism, grappling with the impossibility of predicting the future and the insecurities that come with love. Featuring dynamic production choices, including a striking outro that reintroduces an earlier verse in a softer, more intimate way, Fifty Years highlights the band’s knack for emotional storytelling and compelling song structure.”
Peter Landi | Turn Back Now
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Alternative rock singer-songwriter Peter Landi unveils his latest single Turn Back Now — a driving, atmospheric track that blends nostalgic storytelling with compelling simplicity. Built around just three repeating chords, the song manages to evolve dynamically, keeping listeners engaged through subtle shifts in rhythm and phrasing. Turn Back Now was a labour of persistence in the studio. Co-producer Tyler Semrick-Palmateer and Landi wrestled with two key elements: The snare drum and the vocals. Taking inspiration from Steve Ferrone’s work on Tom Petty’s Wildflowers, they opted for an unusually high snare tuning that initially felt out of place but ultimately sat perfectly within the mix. Meanwhile, despite re-recording vocals on a high-end microphone, nothing matched the raw emotion of Landi’s original demo take — so they kept it, preserving the authenticity that makes the song shine.”
Ash Molloy | Will I Ever Learn
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Rising alt-rock powerhouse Ash Molloy is back with her most poignant and unapologetic release yet. Will I Ever Learn? is a gripping, emotionally charged anthem that confronts the relentless cycle of injustice faced by women. The track cements Molloy’s status as one of Canada’s most fearless voices in alternative music, blending raw vulnerability with an unfiltered lyrical edge reminiscent of ‘90s alt icons Fiona Apple and Alanis Morissette. Will I Ever Learn? is an alt-rock anthem infused with haunting melodies, urgent instrumentation, and a visceral vocal performance from Molloy. The track opens with a melancholic yet gripping arrangement that builds into a searing chorus, driven by impassioned lyrics and a powerful, anthemic delivery. The raw and unfiltered production mirrors the song’s emotionally charged theme, capturing the frustration and exhaustion that come with fighting the same battles over and over. Combining poignant storytelling, stirring chord progressions, and anthemic intensity, Will I Ever Learn? is a commanding statement that lingers long after the final note.”
Blue Pilot | Paul
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Blue Pilot, the genre-blurring duo known for their intricate, narrative-driven arrangements, return with their latest EP, Tamagotchi — a deeply introspective collection exploring themes of isolation, cyclical struggles, and mental deterioration. The standout focus track Paul captures the gradual loss of optimism over time, painting a bleak yet poignant portrait of an individual beaten down by life’s hardships. What began as a simple poem evolved into a raw, minimalist track that diverges from the band’s usual layered production. Paul was recorded with restraint — a rare move for Blue Pilot. Instead of expanding the track with elaborate instrumentation, the duo let the song breathe, preserving its stark emotional weight. It’s part of a four-part suite on the EP, seamlessly tying into Tamagotchi’s overarching narrative.”
Slightest Clue | Car Crash Dialect
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Post-punk meets prog-rock on Slightest Clue’s latest single, Car Crash Dialect — a frenetic, heavy-hitting track that blends unpredictable song structures with raw emotional storytelling. Rooted in jagged riffs and dynamic shifts, the song captures a volatile moment of confrontation and self-liberation. Taking inspiration from bands like Lifeguard and Shame, guitarist and vocalist Mac sought to merge chaotic post-punk energy with heavier, anthemic choruses. Lyrically, the song marks a turning point for him, stepping outside of personal narratives to inhabit a character’s perspective. Car Crash Dialect follows, a woman breaking free from an emotionally draining relationship after years of feeling used. The title itself had been sitting in Mac’s notes for months before finding its place in the song, reflecting the way people can speak past each other in moments of conflict, escalating to the point of destruction. The track’s structure mirrors this tension, shifting unpredictably from post-punk-driven verses into a sprawling, psych-inflected bridge, offering listeners a journey that defies expectation.”
Current Swell | If You Want My Time
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Victoria indie-rock band Current Swell return with their latest single If You Want My Time, a heartfelt and infectious track that captures the balance between love’s deep affections and everyday frustrations. Wrapped in catchy melodies and nostalgic warmth, the song is a sincere reflection on commitment, care, and embracing imperfections in a relationship. Recorded by Juno-nominated producer Gus Van Go at Boiler Room Studios in Toronto, If You Want My Time combines candid emotion with a lively and memorable sound. Blending elements of rock, roots-rock, and indie-rock, the track showcases Current Swell’s ability to tell compelling stories through dynamic instrumentation and feel-good energy.”
