Hamilton, Ontario’s The Dirty Nil unveil their fifth album, The Lash, via Dine Alone Records. Ultimately, The Lash sounds exactly like what the title implies – a cold, hard crack of the whip by the Canadian rock band, one that snaps them with a much needed reset after nearly 20 years of exploring the light.
Following the hardcore-laced heat of “Fail in Time” and the snarling honesty of “Rock N’ Roll Band,” the record’s focus track, “This is Me Warning Ya,” showcases a strikingly different side of the band – cinematic, spacious, and surprisingly romantic. “This is Me Warning Ya” trades distortion for orchestration, bringing in violin and cello to build a darkly elegant backdrop for Luke Bentham‘s crooning vocals.
The track taps into the raw emotionality that defines The Lash, while highlighting the album’s most intimate, string-laden moment.
Sydney based Heavy artist Part Paladin has released his moving new single and music video called ‘Brave This World’, which features Mikaila Delgado of
Yours Truly.
The new single, which premiered exclusively via The AU Review, is the first offering from Part Paladin’s upcoming album, Temet Nosce (set for release on September 12).
“Brave This World” is a call to action — a chant of self-remediation and a reflection on internal battles. It speaks to overcoming insecurities, confronting self-doubt, and quashing anxiety. Metaphorical mountains become molehills, and clouded skies begin to clear. The song channels shared emotional frustrations, encourages positive affirmations, and champions defiance. It balances both anger and optimism, shifting between two perspectives with the addition of guest vocalist Mikaila Delgado.”
Part Paladin is the brainchild of Sydney-based instrumentalist, vocalist, and producer Dux Newton—one of Australia’s most compelling new voices in heavy music. Blending alternative rock textures with modern metal intensity, and laced with grit, soul, and ambition, Part Paladin roams genre borders with confidence.
New single ‘Brave This World’ is available on all major online streaming services.
“Part Paladin is without a doubt one of the most exciting new artists in the world of heavy music. He is melding genres – he seamlessly blends alt rock with modern metal and more. There are some sweet melodies flowing which are spiced with grit and industrial textures. In “Brave This World”, the vocals of Mikaila add a brilliance and deep emotional energy to the track. The two of them sparring off each other works brilliantly together. Amongst the intensity and booming bass line, there’s an intimacy and warmth that is captivating.”
Bruce Baker – The AU Review
Haitian Canadian pop powerhouse Tedy returns with “I Hope,” a fresh, emotionally charged ballad that highlights his signature blend of radical honesty, soaring vocals, and dynamic storytelling. Produced by Dan Book (blink-182, Britney Spears) and Jesse Mason (Chance Peña, BLONDISH), “I Hope” sets the tone for a bold new chapter, marked by heartbreak, intensity, and unapologetic vulnerability.
Complete with scandal, heartbreak, and hard truths, the anthemic pop single dives into the unraveling of a complicated situationship. “I hope you find what you’re looking for,” Tedy sings – though not entirely magnanimously. The tension is palpable in both the lyrics and the sweeping, emotionally charged production.
“I Hope” marks the beginning of a new narrative arc for Tedy, complete with fresh visuals and a debut album set for late 2025. As always, he’s unfiltered and unafraid, turning late-night heartbreaks into cinematic pop moments. With a massive online following and a sound that blends vulnerability with power, Tedy is poised to make 2025 his most daring year yet.
Montreal-based band FLEECE return with “How Far Would You Go,” the latest single from their forthcoming album TORNADO (October 1st). Dreamy, groovy, and glowing with life, the track pulses with the rush of new love and the thrill of emotional discovery. Released alongside the official TORNADO album announcement, it captures a playful tension between carefree joy and internal questioning – an emotional cocktail that feels as weightless as it does grounded.
Produced by Gus Van Go (Metric, The Beaches, Arkells) at Boiler Room Studios, “How Far Would You Go” is a vibrant burst of psychedelic pop anchored by lyrical vulnerability and tight, polished production.
“We wrote this song two summers ago when I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be touring and doing the whole band thing anymore,” shares Matthew Ryan Rogers (vocals, keys, bass). “Musically though, the song is quite the opposite – it’s got spark and it’s just pure fun. I really love the contrast between the lyrics and music on this one. For me, this is the closest we’ve come to writing a pop song – the lyrics are honest, and the production is tight.”
Tasmania based thee-piece alternative rock outfit Verticoli have released their new single ‘See You Around’. The track premiered exclusively via The AU Review and is the first offering from their new album.
“The song came about thinking on past relationships and situations where two people are in different places in life and can’t seem to make it work, not for lack of affection or love but due to other factors. In my mind the song takes place at the Marion Bay Falls Festival. It’s one of two songs on Silverlinings inspired by the festival. Musically we were thinking about Tom Petty when we were putting the song together. He’s always been an inspiration and influence. Kurt Vile’s album ‘B’lieve I’m Goin Down’ was the soundtrack driving into the Falls Festival one year, so I felt that influence come through too.”
The band have also announced the upcoming release of their brand-new album called ‘Silverlinings’ that comes out November 6.
Over the years, the Verticoli lads have toured heavily across Australia, supporting the likes of Cog, Kingswood, British Indiaand DZ Deathrays. They opened the Field Stage at Falls Festival in Marion Bay and were selected by Triple J Unearthed to play the highly coveted Party in the Paddock.
Most recently, Verticoli released their album ‘So Far’. The record is an acoustic collection comprising the best of the Verticolicatalogue and was aired on
over 100 radio stations worldwide.
Their new single ‘See You Around ’is available on all major online streaming services.
“The musicianship on See You Around is classy indeed. It’s moody and atmospheric, as they navigate the bleak prospects for the relationship. There are some lovely harmonies, sweet bass lines laced with just enough funk to counterbalance the potentially gloomy situation.”
Bruce Baker – The AU Review
Toronto-based singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer Cubanbrown unveils his new EP, Ready for Change, led by the smooth, groove-soaked single “Deep Pyar.” Seamlessly blending Toronto hiphop with Desi influences and multilingual lyricism, the project captures the heartbeat of the city’s South Asian diaspora. Built on English, Urdu, Punjabi, and Haryanvi, the songs explore connection, authenticity, self-love, and the power of deep-rooted cultural identity.
Throughout Ready for Change, Cubanbrown showcases the many sounds of Toronto’s Desi hiphop movement. Each track serves as a vibrant expression of identity and evolution. “Toronto is the most multicultural city in the world, and this is sonically reflected in this project,” he says. “It’s beats inspired by Toronto hiphop, meeting multilingual songwriting that represents South Asians here.”
Produced by Toronto’s Hunnabeats, the EP’s lead single, “Deep Pyar,” sets a lush, underwater vibe from the first beat, laying the groundwork for Cubanbrown’s romantic bars about the kind of love that runs deeper than oceans. “It’s about expressing the weight of true love,” he says. “Not lust, but the real deal – that ‘Deep Pyar.’”
From lines like “your love is so deep, deeper than a river or a sea” to playful metaphors like “next to you honey isn’t sweet, cuz you’re my favorite treat,” the track is a heartfelt, catchy tribute to love in its richest form. Brij Beniwal’s feature brings buttery Haryanvi melodies, while Cubanbrown weaves English and Urdu throughout, all culminating in a final chorus lifted by Jersey kicks for an unforgettable finish.
Hailing from Salt Spring Island on Canada’s west coast, emerging pop powerhouse Nicky MacKenzie returns with “I Should Go,” a dark, alluring track that explores temptation, reckless nights, and the haunting pull of bad habits. With lush production and MacKenzie’s soulful vocals front and centre, the song captures the moment when you know you should say no but can’t help saying yes.
“I wrote this song about bad habits, dark and twisted nights, and the feeling you get when you know you’re supposed to say no, but you just can’t help saying yes,” MacKenzie shares.
Blending confessional lyricism with a rich, dynamic pop sound, “I Should Go” continues to showcase MacKenzie‘s rare gift for marrying raw emotion with undeniable hooks. Her voice – often compared to icons like Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse, and Joss Stone – brings a timeless depth to modern pop landscapes.
Toronto-based alternative rock band Eleven Minutes Late returns with “Caligo,” a rhythmic, captivating single that fuses Latin-inspired grooves with rock energy and undeniable dancefloor spirit. Built around a magnetic drum beat and layered with each member’s distinct musical personality, “Caligo” is an invitation to move – a soundtrack for catching someone’s eye across the room and feeling that instant spark.
From the first rehearsal, “Caligo” was about harnessing joy and letting it loose. “It’s the kind of song that makes you want to move,” says drummer Luis. “It started with a Latin groove and turned into something that feels like each of us – upbeat, and just fun as hell.” Lead guitarist Vincent adds, “It’s an up-tempo party song that encourages the listener to let loose and get lost in the rhythm without thinking too hard.”
The track evolved organically from a simple idea into a full-band creation. Luis brought in the heartbeat of the song – a Latin-style drum pattern – and the band built it up layer by layer, blending bouncy basslines, wah-infused rhythm guitar, and a bright lead melody. Even the song’s title was a collaborative process, arising from an inside joke, a Pinterest search for “cool Latin words,” and a unanimous band vote.
“‘Caligo’ pulls you in and doesn’t let go,” says lead singer/rhythm guitarist Wasim. “One look across the room, and it’s over.”
