New Music

Japan-born, Canada-raised artist Justin Maki follows up his recent single “Technicolor Dreams” with “Nine Lives,” an effervescent pop-funk anthem rooted in love, loyalty, and the immortal pull of connection. The FCLMA–winning singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer delivers his most romantic statement yet – a bright, syncopated celebration of devotion that feels timeless and cinematic.

“The statement comes across as a striking romantic hypothetical,” Maki explains. “If I had the opportunity to live more than one life or to live a much longer life – I would choose you over and over again, day in and day out, despite the other options, despite my instinctual desire for variety, because I just love you that much.”

The phrase “Nine Lives” evokes the mythic resilience of cats – creatures said to survive anything. But for Maki, it becomes a metaphor for eternal love: “It’s the ultimate 2025 Breakfast Club boombox moment.”

Baja, California-based artist Sia Shells invites listeners to dive deep into their strength and surrender with “Riding The Wave” – an ethereal, ocean-inspired pop anthem that captures the power of resilience, transformation, and trust in the tides of life. Blending her signature mermaid pop aesthetic with dreamlike production and soulful vocals, Sia Shells conjures a sonic spell for anyone struggling to stay afloat.

“‘Riding The Wave’ is all about keeping your head above water throughout the current of life, especially when it pulls you down and it’s hard to see the surface,” she explains. “It’s about resilience, change, and finding the strength to overcome it all while evoking the mysterious and beautiful imagery of the ocean.”

Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Debra-Jean Creelman returns with “Bloom,” a captivating single that captures the ache of self-reflection and the bittersweet beauty of personal growth. Blending soulful vocals with plaintive alt-country textures, “Bloom” is a deeply human exploration of honesty, imperfection, and the quiet courage it takes to face oneself.

Born out of a writing exercise with one of her students, “Bloom” evolved from a simple lyrical prompt into a stirring collaboration with longtime creative partner Sean Cronin. The track was recorded live to tape in a barn in Catskill, NY, with Cronin assembling an all-star ensemble of collaborators, including Noah B. Harley (Spirit Family Reunion), Andy Weaver, Adam Brisbin (Big Thief), and Alex P. Wernquest (recording engineer and owner of Basement Floods Records).

Creelman later overdubbed her vocals in Vancouver with Dave Genn (54-40, Matthew Good Band) and Kendel Carson (Alan Thomas Doyle, Shania Twain), whose fiddle and harmonies add depth and shimmer to the track.

Australian-born, Guelph, ON-based rapper, singer, and songwriter Optikz lays everything on the line with The Optikz EP, his most honest and revealing project to date. At its heart lies “Love The Child In Me,” a track that captures the full weight of his healing journey: raw, emotional, and unflinchingly real. The EP’s “Overnight Success” is another song that puts a sharp exclamation mark on his 20+ year long journey as Optikz.

After years of struggling with multiple addiction, mental, emotional, physical health challenges and the outstretching lifelong impact of complex childhood trauma, Optikz (born Darren Piper) has transformed his pain into art – crafting a body of work that isn’t just music, but a road map to recovery. The Optikz EP took more than a decade to complete, reflecting the patience, perseverance, and growth of a man determined to reclaim his story.

Recorded between 2012 and 2024, The Optikz EP was built across multiple studios including Revelation Sound (Guelph), Studio A (Kitchener), Metalworks Studios (Mississauga), Bink Sound (USA), Dras Studio (Germany) and finally Grey Wall Sound (Guelph), the home studio Optikz constructed himself. The project features mixing by JUNO/Grammy-nominated assistant engineer Jeff Crake (Metalworks Studios, Mississauga), JUNO–nominated assistant engineer Yanni Caldas (Metalworks Studios, Mississauga), Grammy–nominated mix engineer Blake Eiseman (Bink Sound, USA) and Sony Music-signed German engineer, producer David Hull “Dras” (Dras Studio, Germany).

Vancouver-based country-folk duo Duke & Goldie return with their luminous sophomore EP Romance and Ramblin’ – a heartfelt collection exploring love, belonging, and the beauty of being an outsider. Led by the raw and anthemic single “Outsider,” the record bridges classic country storytelling with modern reflections on identity and self-discovery.

Produced by acclaimed sonic craftsman Erik P.H. Nielsen (City and Colour, Blue Moon Marquee), Romance and Ramblin’ finds Eric “The Duke” Duquette and Jena “Goldie” Gogo distilling the soul of country music through their own lived experiences. Drawing inspiration from icons like Loretta Lynn, Gram Parsons, and Lucinda Williams, the pair reimagine the heartland sound for a new generation – one defined by vulnerability, warmth, and truth.

“I’ve always been a big fan of classic 70’s outlaw country music – folks like Waylon, Willie and Kristofferson,” says Eric. “Except I don’t live on a ranch, drive a pickup truck, ride horses or have any of the usual country accoutrement. So I felt like a bit of an outsider. When I went back and listened to those old records that I loved so much, I realized that they were singing about being outsiders too. And ultimately, isn’t being an outsider what country is really about?”

Vancouver-based harpist, vocalist, and composer Elisa Thorn unveils her highly anticipated album, xiik, a carefully crafted exploration of melody, expression, and generosity in music-making. Whimsical, curious, and intimate, the album blends experimental indie, folk, and ambient influences while foregrounding Thorn’s harp and voice as the guiding instruments.

“xiik reflects a long pursuit of figuring out how to make the harp express melodies without being overly verbose,” Thorn explains. “I’m pretty hell-bent on getting the harp out of the ‘ornamental’ category of music. It’s tough, due to the nature of the instrument, but also because of people’s expectations.”

Recorded over the past eight years, xiik represents nearly a decade of creative exploration, beginning with Thorn’s first carbon fiber lever harp and her desire to create music that is both solo-performable and expansive in the studio. The album was co-produced by David Vertesi, who understood the nuances of the harp and helped capture its warmth and versatility, and features contributions from Dan Gaucher on drums. An alternate take of the record’s “Lullaby” was produced by LA-based ambient artist Tristan De Liege, further expanding the album’s sonic palette.

Adelaide based Pop Punk maestro DONNI HEAThas just released his debut EP ’Echoes From The Fallout’, which premiered exclusively via The AU Review. 

Influenced by the likes of Bring Me The Horizon, YUNGBLUD and All Time Low, the debut EP is a collection of anthemic tracks that are drenched in raw emotion. 

What began as a solo project in 2022 has evolved into a full-fledged live experience-a high-octane band that channels Donni’s raw honesty and visceral stage presence into every performance. Known for his explosive energy and unfiltered emotion, DONNI HEATcommands attention from the first note to the last, creating a connection that feels deeply personal and electrifyingly communal. His breakout live moment came supporting Melbourne’s Vermantics, where a packed room fed off his kinetic performance and the chemistry that pulsed between every member of the band. It’s this energy-unpredictable, passionate, and undeniably real-that defines a DONNI HEAT show.

Donni dropped his debut single ‘Stay’ in 2022, followed by his single ‘Out To LA’. Earlier this year, he started rolling out singles from his debut EP and was nominated in the SA Music Awards. Donni was then listed in the top 5 finalists for the Punk award, standing toe-to-toe with established touring bands in the scene such as LOLA and Teenage Joans.

Debut EP ’Echoes From The Fallout’ is available on all major streaming services.

Ottawa-based singer-songwriter Heliara returns with “I Know That You Love Me,” a refreshingly honest and heartfelt pop track about the beauty and complexity of loving – and being loved by – your opposite. As the newest offering from her upcoming EP Everything’s a Love Song, the single captures the contradictions of real-world relationships, embracing both their joy and imperfection with wit, vulnerability, and irresistible rhythm.

“Falling in love with your polar opposite has its beauties and challenges and this song documents the journey of a very real long-term relationship,” Heliara shares. “It may not be your typical love song, but it is a love song nonetheless, infused with the vulnerability, quirkiness and authenticity that typically characterizes my songwriting.”

| LEILA |

CANBERRA BASED COUNTRY POP ARTIST RELEASES NEW SINGLE ‘ALL THE THINGS YOU DO’ + EMBARKS ON TOUR DATES

Canberra based Country Pop artist Leila has just released her new single ‘All The Things You Do’, which premiered exclusively via Scenestr.

Leila also kicked off the ‘Butterfly’ tour last night in Wollongong and will be performing in Canberra and Melbourne later this month. 

Leila has set the scene for her music journey, opening for artists such as Bella Mackenzie (AU), The Eurogliders (AU), Killing Heidi’s Ella Hooper (AU), 
Emma Pask (AU), Fatai (AU) and most recently, Nathan Cavaleri (AU).

2025 kicked off with a bang with Leila being selected to perform at Melbourne’s ‘Futuration’ in front of a sold-out audience. Leilaworked and connected with prestigious music industry members Fatai, touring band The RNGZ while also crossing roads with industry leaders, key players and other talented creatives. Leila was also selected as a finalist in the ‘Mothertone Gympie Music Muster Talent Search’ which took place in August 2025. 

Leila released her single ‘Do Without’ in July this year, which premiered exclusively via
ABC Country and The AU Review. The Country/Pop anthem has since been aired on well over 200 radio stations worldwide and continues to build traction. This emerging talent then followed-up with the release of her single ‘Butterfly’ which was premiered via AAA Backstage and quickly gained rotation on ABC Country.

New single ‘All The Things You Do’ is available on all major online stores and streaming services.

“Leila’s unique country-pop tone is elevated by lush choral harmonies, velvety piano, and sweeping strings, creating a heartfelt and cinematic listening experience.”
AAA Backstage

“Do Without is a heartfelt journey, with her crystal clear vocals carrying the emotions of her dreams and reckonings on the future and the present. The song absolutely nails the feeling of uncertainty experienced during the late teens and early twenties.”
The AU Review

BUTTERFLY TOUR DATES

Nov 21 – The Polo, Canberra, ACT

Nov 28 – Wesley Anne, Melbourne, VIC

For ticketing and more info visit www.itsleilamusic.net