New Music Tuesday

Furthering his lifelong exploration of music as a source of healing, reflection, and connection, Montreal-born/Gabriola Island-based composer, vocalist, and meditation leader Mark Fenster shares “Cascades, part one: Glacial Riverflow.” A transporting blend of new age, neo-classical, and meditative sound design, the piece draws inspiration from the natural rhythm and resonance of rushing mountain waters.

Rooted in Fenster’s deep connection to nature, the track captures the immersive experience of sitting beside a glacial river, where light, motion, and sound intertwine. “I’ve always loved the feel and sounds of water,” he shares. “I can sit for hours listening and feeling the rush of life and love in every passing drop.” That sense of presence flows through every moment of the composition, offering listeners a space for calm, reflection, and quiet inspiration.

Toronto-based, Hong Kong-born songwriter Tennyson King shares “Big Mountain High (大山高),” a powerful and emotionally resonant new single that marks a defining moment in his artistic evolution. Blending traditional Chinese instrumentation with modern indie folk and singer-songwriter sensibilities, the track stands as a bold expression of identity, heritage, and creative confidence. It is the first single released from his forthcoming album 100 Cities.

“This was the first song I wrote with the intention of fusing traditional Chinese instruments with western folk music,” Tennyson explains. Inspired by the ancient guqin composition “High Mountains and Flowing Water,” he was struck by its emotional depth. “It made me feel sadness and a sense of power at the same time,” he says. “I knew I wanted to write something inspired by it.”

Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist Teagan Johnston shares her latest offering, “Beat a Dead Horse,” a deeply reflective and emotionally charged single that examines the lingering impact of past relationships and the process of releasing what no longer serves you. Rooted in indie rock and singer-songwriter sensibilities, the track moves through grief, awareness, and ultimately toward a renewed sense of hope and forward motion.

The song was sparked by an unexpected moment during a psychic reading in New York City. “I’m not sure what I believe when it comes to psychics,” Teagan shares, “but something she said really hit me. She told me I was allowing old experiences of dark and painful love to dictate how I love now and in the future.” In that moment, Teagan felt a renewed urgency to step out of cycles of emotional repetition and into something more present and alive.

Building on the momentum of recent releases, “Too Old (For This Shit)” and “Pushing Forty,” Canadian singer-songwriter Ellie Heath shares “Sick of Myself,” a bold and emotionally charged new single from her upcoming album Pushing Forty, set for release on May 29th, 2026.

Blending introspective songwriting with an explosive, danceable chorus, “Sick of Myself” captures a deeply personal turning point. The track explores the shift from independence toward partnership, reflecting on the moment when life stops being solely self-focused and begins to open outward toward connection, care and shared purpose.

Jessica Pearson and the East Wind unveil Wilding Part One, a bold and unflinching EP that channels the power, resilience, and collective strength of women into a deeply intentional body of work. Rooted in folk and Americana traditions while shaped by rich harmonies and emotive storytelling, the record stands as both a celebration of sisterhood and a rallying cry against systemic inequality and gender-based violence.

Written, recorded, and produced entirely by a team of women, Wilding Part One captures the energy of collaboration without compromise. It’s a project born from community and a reflection of the real-life sisterhood that inspired its creation.

“I’ve been so lucky to be surrounded by so many amazing women in my life,” Jessica shares. “These women made space for me to fully be myself. I shared my experiences with them and it was received with no judgment, no shame, just love. Our stories became songs, which in turn became Wilding Part One.”

At the heart of the EP is “Do It,” a gripping and unflinching Americana-leaning folk track that confronts domestic and gender-based violence with both honesty and urgency. Driven by a simmering intensity and grounded in lived experience, the song shifts the narrative from victimhood to empowerment, offering a message of strength and self-worth.

Hope you had a great weekend! I’m looking forward to sharing a new track with you today.

Toronto-based duo MOONRIIVR return with “Force of Habit,” an upbeat yet emotionally charged indie rock single that blends 60s-inspired kraut rock textures with surf and indie sensibilities. Equal parts nostalgic and explosive, the track traces a path from loss and desperation toward release, building into a cathartic, noise-driven finale that refuses to look back. It’s the second single to be shared from their forthcoming album, MOONRIIVR Vol. 2, out later this year, and follows November 2025’s “You Get Me By.”

At its core, “Force of Habit” is “…about letting go of the past and searching for a new way forward,” the band explains. That emotional arc drives the song’s momentum. What begins as reflective and restrained gradually unravels into beautiful, noisy chaos.