Experimental indie-pop duo Allegories continue their genre-melding resurgence with “DREAMCRUSHER,” a dreamy and ethereal single that reflects on ambition, disillusionment, and creative rebirth.
Initially conceived as a simple ukulele sketch, “DREAMCRUSHER” took on a life of its own through Allegories‘ unorthodox creative process. Without hearing any melody or lyrics, Jordan Mitchell built an entirely new instrumental world from Adam Bentley‘s initial chord progression. Bentley then responded with a final version that drew inspiration from both his original vision and Jordan‘s atmospheric reimagining.
“I think there’s an almost conflicting nature to the song in both the overall narrative and the sound design,” Bentley says. “This song embraces the annihilation of dreams but also the beauty of what grows in their place.”
Hamilton, Ontario’s The Dirty Nil return with fists swinging on their explosive new single, “Rock N’ Roll Band,” the latest from their forthcoming fifth studio album, The Lash, out July 25th via Dine Alone Records. Following the chaos of their explosive lead single, “Gallop of the Hounds,” and the dreamy introspection of “Spider Dream,” this one pulls no punches – it’s a snarling, full-volume gut check for every wide-eyed hopeful with rockstar dreams.
“Rock N’ Roll Band” was the very first song frontman Luke Bentham wrote for The Lash, and it arrived fast and furious. “I don’t remember what particular aspect of the industry had got my goat that day, but I’d worked myself up to a fine lather,” Bentham recalls. “I blasted out the whole song in 30 minutes and instantly felt better.”
The result is a cathartic, high-octane blast of alternative rock and punk, packed with frustration, truth, and just enough sarcasm to keep it all fun. “Though the song is pretty negative, it makes me happy,” Bentham says. “This one is for all the road dogs – we salute you.”
Fresh off the heels of his contribution to Songs From The Gang, 5x JUNO–nominated singer-songwriter Julian Taylor returns with “Dedication,” a vibrant new single that blends soul, roots, and folk rock with a deeply personal message about commitment, connection, and showing up with your whole heart.
“Dedication” is the first single to be released from Taylor‘s forthcoming Anthology II, a career-spanning collection to be released on September 10th which traverses his over 25 year career as a songwriter.
Co-written with longtime collaborator Robert Priest, “Dedication” is a song born from real love and persistence. With its rich emotional message wrapped in infectious rhythm, Taylor delivers a heartfelt anthem that invites listeners to dance while also reflecting on what it truly means to give your all.
“Whether that’s in love, in life, or in your passion, this song is a declaration of that kind of wholehearted commitment,” says Taylor.
With a poet’s soul and a songwriter’s ear, Paige O returns with “Scarecrow Village,” a tender indie-folk single inspired by a real place in Japan filled with life-sized scarecrows meant to represent villagers who had either passed away or moved on. At once eerie and achingly beautiful, the song becomes a metaphor for absence, memory, and longing.
“I fell into one of those internet rabbit holes and stumbled on ‘Scarecrow Village,'” Paige explains. “I thought it was so beautiful but everyone I showed it to said it was creepy or scary. That really shocked me.”
As the idea sank deeper, so did its emotional resonance. “I realized I was relating to the village. Part of me wishes I could make scarecrows of all the friends who’ve moved away for school while I stayed home.”
The song’s structure mirrors the emotional experience of a panic attack – beginning gently, building in urgency, and eventually tapering into calm. “It’s like a sigh of relief,” Paige says. “I wanted to reflect that arc musically, not just lyrically.”
Toronto-based indie pop/rock artist Brodie Christ returns with his vulnerable yet bombastic new single “IDWTBFriends,” an intimate and upbeat confession of desire in long-term love.
“Desire is a strange and fickle beast. It comes on intensely and can disappear as fast as it comes,” says Christ. “I wanted to express in this song what, to me, felt like fresh desire in a long-term relationship. I have these memories of early days that were intense, frantic and fumbling. I want more of those. What we are giving each other is not enough. I want more. I want it full time. I need more of you.”
Driven by punchy guitars, a bittersweet melodic hook, and a lyric that refuses to play it cool, “IDWTBFriends” lands with both emotional precision and sonic punch. Christ explains: “The chorus just slaps you, unambiguously, both musically and lyrically.”
Nanaimo, BC-based multi-instrumentalist and composer Joshua Gellman shares his joyfully eclectic new full-length album Speak To My Dreams, led by the heartfelt and horn-laced opener “Walkin’.” The album is a vibrant showcase of Joshua’s diverse musical roots – spanning soul, R&B, jazz, Latin, and more – and is grounded in the clarity of a singular artistic voice. Overflowing with warmth, groove, and emotional honesty, Speak To My Dreams is a celebration of connection, evolution, and the spirit of collaboration.
“Walkin’” captures the confident energy of emotional truth – an expressive declaration of love moving beyond friendship. Rooted in jazz sensibilities and rich with radiant horn lines, the track’s groove is effortless yet deeply felt. “It’s telling someone, ‘I’ve been walking by your side this whole time, and now I want to walk with you in a different way – something deeper, something more,’” says Joshua. “I wanted it to feel like the easy, confident stride you get when you finally decide to be honest with yourself and the person that you care about.”
Chosen as the album’s opening track, “Walkin’” immediately sets the tone for the journey ahead – a lively, uplifting burst of energy that welcomes listeners in with rhythm, soul, and personality. The song features a stellar cast of collaborators, including Anatol McGinnis on bass, Andrew Rollins on drums, Tristan Armstrong on electric guitar, Marta Garrett on backup vocals, Phil Hamelin on trumpet and horn arrangements, and an ensemble of Vancouver Island Jazz Studies alumni: Matt Carter, Ron Gaucher, Darren Nilsson, and beloved teacher Steve Jones.
Beamsville, Ontario’s Riley Michaels is stepping out of the present and into a dream of the past with his shimmering new single, “Waiting For You.” Known for his soulful voice, guitar prowess, and genre-blending style, Michaels now leans deep into retro-pop with a lush, synth-laced track that pays loving tribute to the music of the 1980s.
Michaels wrote “Waiting For You” not from a personal event, but from a feeling shaped by neon-lit nights, boombox serenades, and rain-soaked movie moments. The track oozes nostalgia with shimmering synths, a LinnDrum beat, and vintage tones that effortlessly conjure memories of a decade he never lived through but somehow belongs to.
Created in collaboration with bandmate and synth specialist Vincent Petrunti, the song was primarily recorded in Petrunti’s condo and Michaels’ home studio. The production breaks new ground for Michaels: it’s the first release in his catalogue that forgoes a live drummer entirely, instead embracing the era’s iconic drum machine sound to reinforce the song’s throwback aesthetic.
