New Music

Acclaimed JUNO and Polaris Prize-nominated Canadian singer-songwriter Terra Lightfoot has unveiled a haunting and heartfelt new single: a cover of “Red,” originally written and recorded by Canadian alt-rock band Treble Charger. Reimagined through a melancholic folk-rock lens, Lightfoot’s rendition of “Red” highlights her emotive vocal delivery, introspective tone, and a warm, rootsy arrangement that nods to classic country influences.

Lightfoot’s rendition of “Red” also features Treble Charger’s Bill Priddle, who penned the original. Their musical connection stretches back to their time playing together in the band Don Vail, and the idea for this collaboration came to life after a live show in Priddle’s hometown.

“I’ve loved this song since I was a kid, and became friends with Bill Priddle when we were both playing in the band Don Vail,” shares Lightfoot. “We’ve kept in touch and he came out to our show in Sault Ste. Marie last summer. I had the idea to cover this song with him then, and after we sang it together, it made so much sense to cut this one for this record.”

Toronto alt-pop artist City Builders returns with “Vengeful Spirit,” a powerful, spooky, and harmonically rich anthem that reclaims the narrative around heartbreak, ghosting, and female rage. Written after a fateful encounter at a Halloween party, the track captures what happens when personal pain transforms into collective empowerment.

Inspired by a conversation with another woman unknowingly dating the same emotionally unavailable man, Grace Turner (the force behind City Builders) was moved to speak up, warn her, and later channel the experience into this razor-sharp revenge pop single. What began as a warning became a war cry: a reminder of the power in women sharing their stories.

The idea for “Vengeful Spirit” sparked while Grace was on tour with MONOWHALES, sharing demos with the band on long van rides. The song caught the attention of producer Zach Zanardo and songwriter/manager Jordan Circosta, kicking off a new creative chapter for City Builders.

The final version of the track includes vocal contributions from Grace’s close friends, who gathered in her bedroom studio for a wine-fueled recording session. The ad-libs – “girls talk,” “good luck,” “I’m a vengeful spirit” – add a communal feel to the track, a chorus of women standing together.

Following the emotionally stirring “My Father’s Sins,” The Bapti$$—the spiritual, genre-blending project of veteran artist Joseph LaPlante—returns with “Wear & Tear,” a light-hearted, whistled love song that radiates hope, joy, and divine alignment. The single is the fourth release from his just-announced debut LP, Pop Cult(ure), out September 26th.

Built around a delicate acoustic guitar, thick 808 bass drums, and a nostalgic whistle melody, “Wear & Tear” is a unique blend of contrast and cohesion. It’s both old and new, playful yet grounded, modern yet timeless.

“The melody that came to me had this hopeful, loving vibe, so I ran with it,” says LaPlante. “My wife thinks the song is cute, and that’s all the approval I needed.”

Meet me at the cedar tree

This lyric anchors the track with a subtle but powerful nod to LaPlante’s spiritual ethos. In the Pacific Northwest, cedar trees represent spiritual strength, and here, they become a symbol for love that’s been anointed. “It drives home that my wife and I have a relationship blessed by God,” he shares.