“The Dogs of God” by Jay Malinowski

Jay Malinowski (one half of Canadian band Bedouin Soundclash) has been working towards releasing his first solo album in over ten years. Under A Landslide Of Stars is set to drop on March 13, 2026 and features the track “The Dogs of God”.

The song came to be after Malinowski appeared on Podsongs, a podcast “where artists interview inspiring people and then write a song inspired by the exchange, provided the catalyst for this evocative piece. In speaking with (Irish philosopher Richard) Kearney about his philosophy of anatheism, or the return to God after God, Malinowski found himself drawn into reflections on doubt, imagination, humor, and the sacredness woven into everyday life.”

Of it Jay says: “Speaking with Richard sent me on an unexpected path. We talked about laughter as a sign of the holy, and his mention of the ‘Dogs of God’ brought back the story of St. Roch, patron saint of dogs. It made me realize how the dogs in my life opened me to mystery and compassion. The song became a tribute to them and to the grace found in loyalty, loss, and love.”

It’s a beautiful Celtic-style song that you can check out below.

Christine

“Queen of Nothing” by Softcult

In a little over a month, the sibling duo Softcult will be releasing their debut full length album, and they just released a new single with “Queen Of Nothing”

The dreamy track delves in to deep issues like society’s expectations on women, which vocalist Mercedes Arn-Horn can explain better than me: “This song is about the double standards, harsh judgements, and unrealistic expectations that patriarchal society places on women. We’re expected to be sexy, but only as it applies to the male fantasy; somehow a virgin and a slut. We’re expected to constantly nurture the men in our lives, and shamed if our aspirations exceed becoming wives and mothers. The world demands maturity from us, but discards us when we’re old and “unfuckable”, our value reduced to our ability to attract men. And when we attract men, we’re labeled “whores”. We’re expected to be “cool” and “like one of the guys”, but not too abrasive, loud, or “unladylike.” Our intelligence and our success is tolerated so long as it isn’t too threatening or intimidating to our male counterparts. From unconscious biases to blatant sexism, misogyny and gender violence, women face an impossible amount of discrimination in the world today. And no matter the amount of vitriol or ignorance we endure, we’re still expected to smile. This song is about the realization that these cycles of abuse are bigger than our personal experiences. It’s recognizing the systemic nature of mistreatment and discrimination.”

Have a listen below, and mark January 30th for the release of their album, When a Flower Doesn’t Grow. You can also catch them on tour net year, with some shows of their own as well as supporting Lights! No Vancouver date yet, though…

Kirk

“Truest Sound” by Clothesline From Hell

Last week, Clothesline From Hell released the fourth and final single from the upcoming debut LP, Slather On The Honey.

“Truest Sound” is the album’s closer, capping it off with an understated intensity. Adam LaFramboise elaborates the song is “a quiet closer, indebted to a lineage of final songs that are stripped back acoustic moments. A poignant note for the album to finish with, the title itself refers to the silence that comes after conflicts have been aired.”

The album is out on January 16th next year, and you can check out the new single below!

Kirk