To quote the immortal words of Max Webster: Friday is a good time to shine. Which is why I always like to close out the week by spotlighting the latest and greatest singles and videos from Canadians acts of all styles and stripes. While you commence your own personal journey to unwind, see if you don’t take a shine to ’em:
Hot Mud | Digital World
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Hot Mud presents Digital World, a song about a young woman resisting computer technology and social media for fear of losing her imagination and ability to daydream. Hot Mud expands his musical horizons by experimenting in the realms of drum-and-bass music. He sprinkles his pop singer-songwriter sensibilities on top of an electronic beat with pauses of acoustic traditional compositions laced throughout. The result is Hot Mud’s most experimental song yet, but still irresistibly and undeniably catchy. It’s the second song from his Shiny Single Sessions, a monthly series of releases throughout 2025.”
The Deep Dark Woods | Ruby
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Deep Dark Woods return with their first new music since Broadside Ballads Vol. III — and their first original song since 2021’s Changing Faces. Shadowy and inviting, Ruby — the first track off their upcoming late 2025 record — sounds like the band playing in a darkened, fireplace-lit wood cabin in the middle of the night, and you’re right in there with them in a well-worn armchair. The voice of founding member Ryan Boldt sits at the forefront of the band, and it doesn’t take long to reveal that he is a master of subtlety and shading. “I wrote it during a strange and difficult time, after the sudden loss of my dear friend and tour manager, Kiko, and just before my daughter was born,” says Boldt. “It was a mix of heartbreak and anticipation that I will never forget.”
Ian North | Malahat
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Ian North, the celebrated Canadian folk-rock artist, returns with the energetic instrumental Malahat. Named after the scenic highway on Vancouver Island, this driving track captures the spirit of adventure and the joy of the open road. The instrumental piece is a celebration of both the beauty of the drive and the personal journey that led to its creation. Produced by Chris Gartner, Malahat moves between soaring crescendos and subtle, intimate moments. With intricate finger-style guitar, the track builds in intensity before returning to a quiet yet reflective finish, capturing the unique ebb and flow of the highway itself. He explains: “The Malahat is the highway that runs down the east coast of Vancouver Island from Nanaimo to Victoria. I’ve driven it many times, and the cover image of the song is a photo I took of my daughter walking along a wall at a lookout on that very highway.”
Robert Thomas And The Sessionmen | Cast A Line
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Award-winning songwriter Robert Thomas and his band The Sessionmen cast a playful and groove-laden Americana track with their latest single Cast A Line. Inspired by some unconventional dating advice from Thomas’s father back in 1976 — delivered, fittingly, in the form of a fishing metaphor — the song takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the idea that love is just a matter of casting out a line and waiting for the right catch. With its irresistible rhythm, clever storytelling, and a Little Feat-style groove, Cast A Line has become one of Thomas’ most enduring and requested songs, covered by artists across the industry. Written in 1990, the song’s central metaphor still resonates today. A testament to the unpredictability of songwriting success, Thomas reflects on how a humorous idea sparked by questionable advice turned into one of his most beloved tracks.”
Henry Taylor | Hummingbird
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Kitchener-Waterloo artist Henry Taylor delivers a high-voltage rock experience with Hummingbird, from his sixth album Sweet Thunder! Hummingbird was born on a back porch while Taylor and longtime songwriting partner Monique Montgomery were playing music with former bandmate Mark. A chance glance at a hummingbird feeder sparked an idea — chords turned into a chorus, lyrics fell into place, and within 40 minutes, the song was complete. The decision to push the track into full-blown rock territory reflects its dynamic energy and unconventional take on the theme. Sweet Thunder! was inspired by a serendipitous moment when Montgomery spotted a license plate reading “SWTTHNDR” on a blue Corvette. That moment perfectly encapsulated the album’s essence — a fusion of thunderous rock anthems and tender acoustic ballads.”
Moonshine, NegoO, Yend, Uniiqu3 | La Haine / Slow It Down
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Moonshine, the Juno-nominated collective, are back with two singles — La Haine and Slow it Down — in collaboration with NegoO, Yend, and Uniiqu3. The singles offer a first taste of the album’s cross-genre, cross-continental approach. Afro-futuristic, bass heavy, electro-funk sounds reverberate in very different ways throughout each composition. Upstaging polyrhythms created by the voices of Yend and NegoO, swirling percussive patterns and heavy base, make La Haine a futuristic and spacey afrobeat. Yend, the Strasbourg multi-disciplinary artist, explores the rich textures of her vocal delivery, weaving vibrant, unique sounds into her compositions. NegoO, the Portuguese producer and DJ, on the other hand, brings his signature touch to La Haine. Slow It Down is ironically anything but slow. The track features Uniiqu3, the electrifying New Jersey DJ, rapper, and producer. Her high-energy, hybrid dance sound has always been about movement. Here she delivers her trademark club-driven intensity, blending pulsating beats with a genre-defying sonic palette to craft an irresistible dancefloor anthem.”
Brandy Zdan | Lost In Illusion
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “This is a ‘roll-the-windows-down kinda jam just in time for spring. Sending love to you all wherever you may be. It’s a weird time to be alive but art makes it all worthwhile. Listen loud and share with a friend.”
Total Fucking Darkness | Take It Easy
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Total Fucking Darkness emerge from the abyss once more with Take It Easy — a pulsing, irreverent, and unsettling anthem that invites listeners to dance and despair in equal measure. The track fuses electronic dance music with unfiltered, propulsive energy, daring those who hear it to embrace the void rather than resist it. The irony of the song’s title is no accident; Take It Easy drips with absurdity, wielding its platitudinous phrase as a sardonic weapon against the chaos of modern existence. As the world burns, Total Fucking Darkness stand at the edge, grinning. Torquil Campbell (the endlessly effusive, increasingly bald member of Stars) wrote the lyrics while listening to the track for the first time — a feat that continues to baffle even his bandmates, Stephen Ramsay (the gentle giant behind Montreal’s Young Galaxy) and Tom McFall (English studio genius and synthesist). And then, of course, there are the sheep.”
Lubov Kay | Shoulda Run
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Alternative-pop artist Lyubov Kay unveils her bold and emotionally charged new single. Shoulda Run is a powerful anthem about realizing your worth and walking away from what no longer serves you. With its striking blend of evocative storytelling, fierce instrumentation, and Kay’s signature smooth yet commanding vocals, Shoulda Run captures the emotional weight of staying in a one-sided relationship for too long — and finally breaking free. Kay’s songwriting shines as she reflects on the disappointment of giving your all to someone who was never fully present. The song is both a reflection and a declaration a cknowledging past mistakes while celebrating the strength it takes to move forward. Shoulda Run is an anthem for anyone who’s ever looked back and thought, “Why did I keep going?” The track encapsulates that bittersweet moment of finally seeing the truth and choosing yourself.”
Virginia To Vegas | Heaven Tonight
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Platinum-selling, chart-topping pop artist Virginia to Vegas returns with his latest single Heaven Tonight, an ethereal and heartfelt track that captures the universal longing to escape from the chaos of the world and find solace with someone you love. With delicate production, lush melodies, and Derik Baker’s signature emotive vocals, Heaven Tonight is a poignant reflection on seeking peace in an increasingly overwhelming reality. Blending modern pop sensibilities with atmospheric electronic elements, Heaven Tonight offers a dreamy sonic landscape that perfectly complements its introspective lyrics. The song paints a vivid picture of closing the door, shutting out the noise, and getting lost in a private sanctuary of love and connection.”
