Toronto alternative mainstay JEEN makes her return with “Look What You Did,” the entrancing new single from her upcoming For the Romance EP, set for release on October 30th. Blending a light, infectious sing-along chorus with just enough teeth to bite, the track embodies JEEN’s ability to turn hardship into hook-heavy perseverance.
Originally recorded in January 2025, the song almost didn’t make it to release. “A couple months after recording, I had some unexpected music business trouble that completely derailed me and the whole release came to a full stop,” JEEN shares. “I was crushed, so I was about to trash the whole EP and just start again, but I had a change of heart over the summer. I ended up using three of the original January recordings and one of them was ‘Look What You Did.’”
Haida Gwaii-based artist The Bapti$$ (Joseph LaPlante) unveils his debut LP, Pop Cult(Ure), a fierce and unflinching project that strips away the façades of the music industry and digs deep into questions of authenticity, morality, and survival.
Created in collaboration with Saskatchewan producer Matt Stinn, the seven-track record blends 808-driven indie-pop, acoustic textures, alt-pop hooks, and hip-hop grit. At its core, Pop Cult(Ure) is both a cleansing and a reckoning – a baptism of sound that introduces LaPlante‘s new artistic chapter after years of success in hip-hop as Joey Stylez.
“I wanted to do something real,” says The Bapti$$. “There are very few artists out there who are their authentic self. This project isn’t about chasing trends or selling out to fit into a machine that lacks morals. God made me into a man who wins, or loses, my way.”
Victoria, BC indie-rockers The Bankes Brothers return with their most dynamic release to date, the new EP, Where Do We Go From Here? (produced by Gus Van Go), featuring the high-energy focus track “Waited All Night.” Known for their infectious live shows and timeless rock ‘n’ roll spirit, the band continues to carve out their place as one of Canada’s most exciting emerging acts.
The EP also features recent singles “Bedroom Wall,” “Get To Know,” and the title track “Where Do We Go From Here?” – each showcasing a different side of the band’s songwriting. “He was great at opening us up to the mindset of ‘serve the song,’ and the production style and choices were a direct result of that,” Nelson Bankes (lead vocals, guitars) says of working with acclaimed producer Gus Van Go (The Beaches, Arkells, Hollerado).
From the band behind the multi-platinum hit “Spirits” (480M+Spotify streams), The Strumbellas follow up on the recently released “Hard Lines” and “Maybe It’s Me” with their determined new single, “Skin of My Teeth.”
“Skin of My Teeth” captures the struggle of holding on to a dream when doubts, obstacles, and setbacks make you want to quit. Creeping keys and spy-movie guitars underscore the tension, while singer Jimmy Chauveau‘s evocative vocals trace the weight of feeling like a fool for persevering. It’s a song about resilience, reminding us that no matter how heavy dreams feel, giving up is never the answer.
With rugged honesty and a dose of youthful defiance, Rogan Mei returns with “Rushmore (So What),” an angsty and liberating folk-rock anthem about missed chances, restless energy, and carving your own road. Louder and more unapologetic than his earlier reflective work, the track captures the friction between wanting change and actually living it – set against ringing guitars and a chorus built to be shouted back.
The song’s title traces back to an unfinished idea that sat dormant for years. “Originally, it was going to be about a road trip with friends where the main character was just not in a good headspace and would sleep in the back seat while everyone pointed out monuments like the biggest hockey stick in the world, the Grand Canyon, or Mt. Rushmore. That’s where the line ‘So what I didn’t see Mt. Rushmore’ came from,” says Mei. Though the story shifted, that core lyric survived and became the heart of the new track.
Ottawa singer-songwriter Heliara returns with the playful and empowering, “Self-Love,” the lead single of her upcoming Everything’s a Love Song EP. Intimate, authentic, and fun, the track blends pop and rock sensibilities with infectious energy, capturing the ups and downs of everyday life and the beauty of embracing oneself fully even when the going gets tough.
“Loving oneself is not always easy, no matter what stage you are at in life. This song is raw, authentic, and vulnerable,” Heliara shares. “Written from the perspective of a mother with two young children feeling stretched in every aspect of her life (me!) and inspired by the beauty and chaos of motherhood, ‘Self-Love’ is a song for all people: we are all together on this human journey.”
Toronto-based singer-songwriter Erica Knox continues her Abbey Road Studios story with “Growing Song” – a chill, introspective soft-pop track that balances vulnerability with resilience. Written during her time at the legendary London studio – handpicked as one of three artists to record there through DHL’s FastTrack Sessions – the single lays bare Knox’s moments of self-doubt while celebrating the growth that comes with perseverance.
“It’s a very vulnerable song, highlighting every thought of self-doubt that tends to race through my head,” Knox shares. “Among that comes knowing that things will eventually work out as long as I keep trying to build a happy life, and a strong career for myself.”
The track’s inspiration ties directly to Knox’s journey. After being turned down for the same contest in 2023, she almost didn’t apply again in 2024. But a last-minute submission won her a life-changing opportunity. “A few weeks later I was being flown out to London. I was so proud of myself for making it here and I had to write about the mental challenges leading up to that moment.”
Japan-born, Canada-raised artist Justin Maki is making his boldest statement yet. On “Technicolor Dreams,” the FCLMA-winning singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer unleashes a vibrant, groove-forward protest song – a defiant embrace of authenticity and individuality in the face of doubt.
Written originally with Canadian producer Drew Shalka (Mute Choir) during a snowstorm-stranded writing session in Nashville, “Technicolor Dreams” captures the thrill and uncertainty of chasing an unconventional path. “To others, our dreams are unattainable – naive, even,” says Maki. “To us, our dreams explode with colourful possibilities of what could be. Our lives, while unconventional, fill us with so much joy, passion, and purpose.”
Saskatchewan songwriter Nick Faye returns with his highly anticipated new album, (Good) Love, out now alongside the lead single, “Means That Much.” A heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and emotional reflection, the record chronicles Faye’s journey through relationships, personal growth, and discovering what it truly means to give and receive love.
Recorded across multiple cities with producer Chris Dimas and featuring performances by Nick Faye (vocals, guitar), Byron Chambers (bass), Jon Neher (keys), Landon Leibel (drums), and Jesse Bryksa (guitar), (Good) Love is a blend of pop-rock and indie sensibilities anchored in warm melodies and thoughtful storytelling. The album navigates the highs and lows of love in Faye’s early-to-mid-thirties, reflecting on healthy relationships, online dating, heartbreak, and the patience required to find real connection.
The lead single, “Means That Much” (co-written with Andy Cole of Great Wealth), was born on a summer day in Toronto with the CN Tower in view. Faye explains, “Andy brought the song idea, the tone, and some beautiful melodies to the writing session, and we brought it to life together. The song evolved from a hardline breakup story into a reflection on whether a relationship is worth fighting for – a classic 90’s Dad Rock anthem with emotional depth.”
