Songs of the Week: October 27 - November 02, 2025

November 03, 2025 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“What Good?” by Arkells

After a couple weeks of teases, Arkells have given us the first hint of their upcoming album with “What Good?”

The new single is a classic, boisterous Arkells banger, which asks the question What good can come from the noise of modern day life. Though as frontman Max Kerman elaborates: “The song doesn’t pretend to have neat answers—but it points toward where meaning might still be found. The sun, the moon, the neon glow of your neighborhood bar. Things we can share, things that feel real.”

The album is due out next year, as the band promises more info (and tour dates) are to come, so for now check out the video below!

Kirk

“Airport” & “The Only Truth” by The Weather Station

Earlier this year, The Weather Station released the acclaimed album Humanhood, and is now back with a pair of new songs from that recording session with the rollicking “Airport” and the rich, gorgeous “Only The Truth”.

Tamara Linderman explains why the songs were omitted from the album, saying “There were so many strong songs I left off Humanhood because the album had such a narrative arc to adhere to. ‘Airport’ was one of them that I’m glad to release now. I’ve always hated airports; I find them so dehumanizing. This song tells a story of a person trying to mirror what is around them; that sort of shutting down, not caring, acting like you don’t care even when you really do. At the heart of it though is, of course, an intense longing, and a hope for something alive that feels like it can't be.”
And she describes “Only The Truth” as “one of my favourite songs from Humanhood and just didn’t make the tracklist at the very last moment, but it feels so relevant and connected with the record. It intersects with ‘Neon Signs,’ it expands on the same idea; that the truth is this sort of lumpen, complicated, organic thing. Falsehoods and lies glimmer, reach towards you, need you; but the truth ‘doesn’t care if you care / all it ever is is there.’”

Check out both new singles below, and make sure to check out Humanhood if you haven’t yet!

Kirk

“Human” by Hawksley Workman

Canada’s troubadour Hawksley Workman has announced his Canadian tour to support his latest EP, Fly Like An Ego and I couldn’t be more excited.

Hawksley’s live show has always been something fantastic to watch and one of my favourites to see, and his statements on what this tour is going to be has got me giddy…
“For the last UK solo run, I pushed myself to perform newer and more ‘forgotten’ songs. You can rehearse endlessly, but a song only finds its confidence in front of an audience. Mr. Lonely and I are now diving into rehearsals, adding a new big rock-club section and dusting off older duo pieces. We may even transform ourselves, from time to time, into a Dance-Rock Power Duo, and yes, the keytar will finally make an appearance.
On these two tours you can expect to hear some long-forgotten orphans, in particular the song ‘Striptease’, which is arguably my biggest hit in Canada, and a song I rarely play live. We are also planning on some extreme deep cuts like, ‘Above Ground Pool’, which has never been played live. Expect some introspective moments and some exciting rockers too!”

I’m excited by all the tour chat, so check out the video for “Human” from the new EP, which features Canadian actor/comedian Chris Locke!

Christine

“Mountainside (acoustic)” by David Vertesi

I cannot believe it’s been fifteen years since David Vertesi released his debut solo album Cardiography. And to celebrate, he’s releasing a special acoustic reimagining of the whole thing.

Along with the announcement of the new album (and vinyl), Vertesi has released “Mountainside (acoustic)”, a stunning version of the already beautiful song.

Have a listen below, and you can check out a special live show on December 7th here in Vancouver at The Gallery @ Artech!

Kirk

“Giallo” by Rich Aucoin

The fourth and final season of SYNTHETIC, Rich Aucoin’s incredibly ambitious project, has finally arrived (mine came in the mail last week!).

To celebrate Rich released the video for the track “Giallo”, which was filmed by Malcolm Macmaster & Seth Daniel Willard and starring Florence Wallace & Malcolm Macmaster.

Season 4 comes with the most synthesizers used, compared with the following three seasons, and clocks in at 103 unique syths, and brings the total to 162, which blows my mind.

This might be my favourite of the four (I think I say that with every new release), and I’m excited to hear it on my record player finally!

Christine

“Breakaway” by Blue Jay Valley

How about being the youngest Canadian band to EVER sign to a record label!? Well that’s exactly what Blue Jay Valley did when they signed with the new label Fink City Records headed up by Vancouver punk rock legend Billy Bones (of Clampdown Record Press, the Vicious Cycles).

With an average age of 11, the band is comprised of Noa (lead vocals, age 11), Josh (guitar, age 12), Obi (drums, age 11), and brothers Mikey (lead guitar, age 12) and Alex (bass, age 10).

They are following up their debut EP, We Like To Rock, with their new one Breakaway on November 15th with a show at Green Auto.
Check out the title track below!

Christine

“Slanted” by Shad

Speaking of album releases, Shad’s latest Start Anew is finally out!
Been excited to get the whole package since he released the first single “Bars and BBQs” and I cannot wait to hear some of the new stuff live when he rolls into town for a show on January 17th at the Hollywood Theatre.

With the album, Shad also released the single “Slanted” with a video directed by Justin Broadbent (who also did the album artwork). Of the track Shad says: “"Slanted" is a song about the proverbial slippery slope. Or the proverbial frog in boiling water. Whatever metaphor you want to use to describe how things can slide in the wrong direction while we fail to notice. It's hard work to perceive the slope before it's too late and restore balance. But it's often the main task at hand.”

Now excuse me, I’m off to listen to this one front to back…

Christine

Songs of the Week: June 03 - 09, 2024

June 10, 2024 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Big Feelings” by Arkells

Arkells just don’t have an ‘off’ mode. They just released their album of covers, Disco Loadout: Volume 1, and now ahead of their Big Feelings Tour later this year, they’ve dropped the eponymous song.

“Big Feelings” is a perfect title for the new tune, full of the band’s usual infectious energy, and singer Max Kerman explaining “In the studio, this track was a burst of energy and felt like it came together quickly. When you have something with propulsion, you just hang on and try to steer it the right way. Immediately, we understood it would be unruly, and that the spirit of the song was more about the collective unvarnished expression than any conventional ‘songwriting rules.’ The most satisfying songs are often the ones where we surprise ourselves.”

You can catch Arkells here in Vancouver on November 15 when they play Rogers Arena(!!) with K.Flay!

Kirk

“Stay Forever” by Begonia

After announcing her new album (Open Swim) and releasing the first single (“Get To You”) in April, Begonia has dropped a second single for us!

“Stay Forever” is a slow, melancholic song with Begonia’s beautiful vocals over a delicate piano, and is about being “free of self judgment and open to love”.

It’s a simple, yet gorgeous piece of work.

Christine

“Magic Wand” by Energy Slime

Energy Slime is back with a not only a brand new song, but a new album coming soon!

The duo of Jay Arner and Jessica Delisle announced their new LP Planet Perfect and gave us a hint of what’s to come with “Magic Wand”. The lead single may hit a little close to home for people — especially artistic types — in Vancouver, as it’s an upbeat, bouncy track about being priced out the city you live in.

Arner elaborates, “Specifically this is about trying to have fun in a place that is destined to become condos. In general it's about living in a city that is hostile to me and my friends. I've lived here my whole life but I feel like I'm being squeezed out.”

Check out the video below, directed and edited by Delisle, and mark August 9th on your calendars for the release of Planet Perfect, on We Are Time Records.

Kirk

“Ooh La La” by ADNAMA

It’s been a few months since we’ve heard from Vancouver’s Adnama, but last week she dropped her latest single, “Ooh La La”.

The simmering synth tune is “an 80's throwback to when soundtracks were great.”

Have a listen below!

Kirk

Songs of the Week: June 26 - July 02, 2023

July 03, 2023 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Air I Walk” by Zeus

Oh my gods, Zeus are back! It’s been nearly a decade since we last heard from the Toronto quartet, but they have returned with a brand new album, CREDO.

Along with the album announcement comes their first single, “Air I Walk”. Picking up exactly where they left off, the incredibly catchy song features the band’s unparalleled harmonies and throwback rock sound.

CREDO is out September 8th on Arts & Crafts, and immediately became one of my most anticipated albums of the year.

Kirk

“Just Another Day” by Royal Wood

Royal Wood is back with a 5-song EP Just Another Day (set to come out September 22), and has released the title track.
He not only (for the first time) solely wrote, arranged, performed and produced the song himself, but also engineered and recorded it as well.

He’s heading out on the road to support living legend Bonnie Raitt - although the closest stop to Vancouver is Penticton, that might be worth the drive for that show!

Christine

“Skin” by Arkells

Arkells have to be one of the hardest working bands going right now. They recently announced a new album, which will be their third new album in as many years (four if you count the acoustic album Campfire Chords).

The latest single is “Skin”, and feels destined to be a big singalong at Arkells’ legendary live shows. Singer Max Kerman explains the song “is about choosing to love more purposefully, about finding meaning in the hard stuff. It’s about coming to the understanding that the best and deepest relationships are far beyond what we experience on the surface.”

Sticking with their two-word title scheme, the new album is called Laundry Pile and drops September 21st!

Kirk

“Baby Teeth” by Haley Blais

This week Haley Blais announced that her sophomore full-length album, Wisecrack, will be due out on September 15th (via Arts & Crafts)!
We’ve had three singles released from said album over the last few months, and with the release announcement came another one, titled “Baby Teeth”.

The track comes with a super trippy video that I could see being on the Prism Prize list next year (speaking of, this year’s winner is announced on Thursday).
Of the song Haley says: “It’s a bunch of snippets of my life, of seemingly insignificant moments that made me who I am today, I think.”

Christine

“Walk Among the Stars” by Odds

Last week Odds released the third single from their upcoming album, Crash The Time Machine!

“Walk Among the Stars” is described as “a musical map pointing to fond memories of camaraderie and creativity. It's set in the town of Bath, Ontario and it's a tribute to friendship. Kindred spirits raise a toast on the frozen lakeshore. It's a rock 'n roll landscape painting.”

Check it out below, and keep an ear out for Crash the Time Machine, out August 4th!

Kirk

Songs of the Week: May 15 - 21, 2023

May 22, 2023 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Parfaite à l'écran” by Karkwa

My eyes nearly bulged out of my head when I saw there was a new song from Karkwa out last week.

“Parfaite à l'écran” is the first new song from the Francophone band since they took an “extended break” over a decade ago, and it sounds like they haven’t missed a beat; rich and lush in sound, with Louis-Jean Cormier’s captivating vocals.

The song is just the first taste of a new album, which will be out September 8th, and Karkwa has announced a few tour dates, but mostly in Quebec with one Toronto date. Hopefully with a new album out, they make it back over to the west coast at some point!

Kirk

“Everyone’s Moving Out East” by Half Moon Run

Me: Is this going to be about everyone moving during the pandemic?
*checks press release……YEP!

We got another new tune from Half Moon Run this week, “Everyone’s Moving Out East”, a few weeks ahead of the release of their new album Salt, on June 2nd.

Of the song the band said “..it felt as if many people were uprooting their lives and moving on to some greener pasture. Perhaps part of you would want to go with them, but alas, you must stay.” I definitely said goodbye to a lot of friend that moved to the Maritimes over the last few years, so this one hits close to home.

Christine

“Laundry Pile” by Arkells

A sweet little ballad and an album announcement from Arkells!
“Laundry Pile” came out this past week with the news that the new release will be on September 21, and will also be called Laundry Pile.

Of the album, Max Kerman says: “… Laundry Pile is a chapter that documents some of the messy parts that end up teaching you a lot: love, regret, desire, shame, and the longing to get it right. The title track is out first, and it’s a memory honouring the little moments that represent a true partnership.”
Curious to hear more of the tunes, as it seems like a fun creative project for the band, and might be different from what we’re used to from them.

Christine

“Hulk Hogan Slammed Andre The Giant” by Wolfie’s Just Fine

The latest song from Wolfie’s Just Fine (the moniker musician/comedian Jon Lajoie) is a gorgeous ballad about inspiration and overcoming massive odds.

It is also, as you may have realised, about the night that Hulk Hogan bodyslammed Andre the Giant in front of 90,000 screaming Hulkamaniacs at the Silverdome for WrestleMania III.

But really, it’s about being nostalgic for those amazing moments as a child. Lajoie elaborates that “Hulk Hogan Slammed Andre The Giant” is “an ode to a window of time in my childhood when the world felt simple, and unfettered and unfiltered joy was still easily accessible. A time when Hulk Hogan defeating Andre the Giant meant that everything was going to be okay for ever and ever. When playing with my WWF wrestling figurines in my backyard with my older brother was more thrilling and exciting than any roller coaster ride or $200 million dollar blockbuster film. As an adult, I rarely have access to that kind of emotional exhilaration because, you know, life. However, that pure, blissful, unadulterated, child-like joy is so powerful, that even the memory of it can cause a small portion to travel through time to the present and put a silly smile on my much-too-serious forty-two year-old face.”

The song is the first single off his upcoming album, Everyone Is Dead Except Us, which is out June 16.

Kirk

“Everything Once” by Hotel Mira

The latest single from Hotel Mira is for everyone that struggles with addiction and metal illness. I don’t think there’s anything I can say that would be better than the poignant words words lead singer Charlie Kerr shared, so:

“He was the kind of guy who would come see your band even if only 6 people showed up. Risking humiliation, he would sing extremely loud and dance up a storm. It created an illusion that would have you thinking if just for a second, you were playing to a packed stadium. There’s undeniable bravery and kindness in that. Y’see he supported my pipe dream of being a singer. When he would have new people over to his folks’ place he would always take the time to show people what I was working on with whatever band I was playing with. He even had an ongoing joke that I should name my band after him. Hoping that a song in his honour will suffice.”

“When I think about him, I think about the unbearable pain someone can walk with and the lengths they go to not feel that pain. I think about putting your life in a stranger’s hands. I think about someone changing into something that no longer resembles the sweet kid that I grew up with. I think about the effort he was putting in to get out from under it all, and I think about how many loved ones I have lost with a similar story,”

“Everything Once” is the fourth single from Hotel Mira’s upcoming album, which we’ll hopefully get word on sooner rather than later!

Kirk

Songs of the Week: November 14 - 20, 2022

November 21, 2022 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Wasted On You” by Andy Shauf

It’s going to be a BIG 2023 for Andy Shauf - but he’s capping off 2022 with the release of his new single “Wasted On You”.

The song will be on his new LP Norm, will be released on February 10th, and there’s also been a HUGE tour announcement, including a show in Vancouver at The Orpheum on March 11th!

“Wasted On You”, the opening track on the new album, is a quiet little pop/love song, but I’m going to go ahead and insist you watch the video below, to get a full sense of just how good Andy is at storytelling and duality.

Christine

“Floating Like” by Arkells

One thing about albums going mainly digital, that I never really considered, is the artist’s ability to make changes at any time. Case in point, Arkells releasing a surprise new song, and adding it to their recently released album Blink Twice.

“Floating Like” is heavily influenced by the band’s love of Motown, and frontman Max Kerman says the song is about “trying to free yourself of the allure and pull of material things and finding happiness in the simple wonders of life. It was written around a sample we cut up from The Impressions and their song ‘Seven Years.’ We added as many Motown soul tricks to the production with the goal of finding the joy and lightness of those classic tunes. It’s a special song for us, so we wanted to give it its own release and runway. Blink Twice is now complete.”

The song tacks on to the end of Blink Twice, which is out now on your digital distribution platform of choice!

Kirk

“I Love You, Dwayne” by Miranda Joan

If you’re going to release a love song about Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, filled with references to his entire career, I am going to listen.

If you are going to release a video for that song, filmed with a cardboard cutout of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, I am going to watch.

That’s exactly what Canadian-born, New York-based soul singer Miranda Joan did. So pour yourself a nice glass of either Teremana or ZOA, put on that Project Rock gear, cue up a Seven Bucks film to watch after, and check out the video below!

Kirk

Songs of the Week: August 29 - September 04, 2022

September 06, 2022 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“Teenage Tears” by Arkells (feat. Tegan and Sara)

A few weeks ahead of their latest album, Blink Twice (yes, it’s a follow up to last year’s Blink Once), Arkells have unveiled their latest collaborators: Tegan and Sara.

“Teenage Tears” is melancholic song, and frontman Max Kerman says: “There’s a particular kind of intense emotional pain that reminds me of high school. It’s not worn down, chronic kind of pain. It’s a sharp and confusing sad. This song is about how occasionally you can still feel that kind of sadness as an adult. We were trying to do something that might feel somewhere between Olivia Rodrigo and The National or Bon Iver.”

The new song comes with a video shot in Vancouver’s (in)famous Kingsgate Mall, check it out below!

Kirk

“Faded Like A Feeling” by Tegan and Sara

Speaking of Tegan and Sara (and Vancouver landmarks)….

They too put out a new single, which will appear on their soon to be released 10th studio album, Crybaby, (due October 21). “Faded Like A Feeling”’s video was shot on the swing set at Hastings Mill Park near Jericho Beach (their last video for “Yellow” was at Locarno Beach!) - and happens to be directed by Mark Myers, who did the video with the Arkells as well!

The tune is about the “mysterious ebbs and flows of love and relationships” and the hazy vibe of the beach adds perfectly to the mood of the song.

Christine

“Matilda” & “Robot Writes A Love Song” by PUP

I love a good live album - when it’s done well and you get the energy of the crowd in there, it can be the next best thing to seeing a band live.

Well one of my FAVOURITE bands to see live is PUP and they’re giving us just that with an album recorded in Toronto at multiple venues and titled PUP Unravels Live In Front Of Everyone They Know.
Appropriate since it’s their hometown.

The first two songs released (the album drops on October 12th) are “Matilda” & “Robot Writes A Love Song” which you can hear below.

Christine

Songs of the Week: July 25 - 31, 2022

August 02, 2022 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“Human Being” by Arkells feat. Lights

Arkells continue their string of collaborations with yet another team up with Lights!

“Human Being” is the latest from their upcoming album, Blink Twice, which features other collabs with the likes of Cold War Kids, Tegan and Sara, Cœur de pirate, Aly & AJ, and Joel Plaskett.

The new track is exactly as catchy as you’d expect from the pairing of Arkells and Lights, with a chaotic energy; and energy that singer Max Kerman says is “something like Talking Heads meets Billy Joel. We are learning a lot about ourselves on this record. This song is about finding a truer version of yourself - the one you’ve hid in the past. The song is searching for a kind of freedom that conventional life paths have to offer. Once we had it in good shape we sent it to our friend Lights who is the best at writing about this kind of discovery.”

The new album is out September 23, and you can also catch Arkells on tour later this year with K. Flay, including a stop right here in Vancouver at Rogers Arena!

Kirk

“Fear That Closes The Hear” by Partner

I ended up getting heat stroke this weekend (HYDRATE PEOPLE), so that blurb is going to be short and sweet.

Partner released another single, “Fear That Closes The Heart”, from their upcoming album Time Is A Car (out October 7th). The music video is a collaboration with Cartel Madras, whom they met during a trip up to Folk On The Rocks in Yellowknife, and it has yielded a wonderful result. Fear, passion, impulsiveness and nostalgia all on display. Give it a watch.

Christine

“Into the Woods” by PHILDEL

It’s been a hot minute since we heard anything from the English singer/songwriter PHILDEL, but last week she released the first track from her upcoming album, “Into the Woods”

The new song is a dark fairy tale, with PHILDEL’s breathy & haunting vocals on full display. Hit play, close your eyes, and prepare to just drift off.

Kirk

Songs of the Week: June 20 - June 26, 2022

June 27, 2022 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

“Dance With You” by Arkells (feat. Cœur De Pirate and Aly & AJ)

Here is a collaboration I was not at all expecting. “Dance With You” is the disco-y new track from Arkells, and features not only francophone singer Cœur de pirate, but also pop duo Aly & AJ.

In tandem with the new single, the band also announced Blink Twice, their follow-up to their latest album Blink Once. Along with “Dance With You” and their previously released collab with Cold War Kids, they also team-up with the likes of Lights, Tegan and Sara, and most excitingly (for me, anyway) Joel Plaskett!

The album comes out on September 23, and you can catch them here in BC playing Laketown Shakwtown on June 30, or in Surrey for a free show on July 1st!

Kirk

“secret” by nêhiyawak

While this song by nêhiyawak is not by any means new, the video is and I thought it worth sharing!
The song “secret” is from their 2020 debut album “nipiy” (translates to ‘water’ from the nêhiyaw language).
I adore this album (and have it on vinyl) and the new video was directed by Dene multidisciplinary artist Casey Koyczan
The video itself is an “exploration of Indigenous customs through the prismatic lens of First Nations youth and performers, as they drum and dance through blasts of full spectrum colour and enveloping texture”.

I really hope we get some new music from nêhiyawak soon - I’m on the lookout.

Christine

“Some Day” by Tim Baker

Last week we got another brand new song from Tim Baker, and also a preview of a new project!

“Some Day” is a summery tune — perfect for the current mini-heatwave here in Vancouver — with bouncy piano and beautiful harmonies.

Baker also put out the teaser trailer for a series of sketches he’ll be releasing, teaming with his long time friends and producers/writers Jordan Canning and Adam Christie (of Schitts Creek, Baroness Von Sketch Show). Tim says: "We put together a series of sketches filmed in Toronto. You'll see me awaken from my covid stupor, endeavour to become relevant, fit, road ready, all the while surrounded by incredible comedic actors and usually dressed ridiculously. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did filming them. Keep an eye out on YouTube for the full series."

Check out the trailer — and the new song — below!

Kirk

“Mountain” by JEEN

As she gets ready to release her third album in as many years(!) JEEN gave another tease of her upcoming album Tracer last week, with the new single “Mountain”.

JEEN is joined by frequent collaborator Ian Blurton, as well as Robin Hatch and Stephan Szczesniak on the new song, and says, “I wrote ‘Mountain’ in early spring 2021 after spending too much time fixating on the irreparable parts of everything...it’s really just a song about trying to let that shit go. There was so much going on out there politically and morally at the time. I had just started releasing a record (Dog Bite) and I was also writing a new one (Tracer) all while dipping in and out of lockdowns...I started getting panic attacks a lot and just needed to chill out. I guess this track was my attempt to try and keep things in perspective.”

The new album Tracer is due out October 21.

Kirk