Songs of the Week: September 15 - 21, 2025
“Caverns” by Larkk
You know Danielle McTaggart as the voice of Dear Rouge, but now she’s venturing out on her own with a brand new solo project, Larkk.
Her first single is “Caverns”, a stunning piano-driven instrumental, with Danielle explaining the song is “about the deep and sacred journey I took when I suddenly and unexpectedly experienced deep grief like I had never known. The memories of my life, the unexplored ideas and questions I had long ignored, began to awaken — as I went down into the caverns of my heart. I heard a voice in my innermost spirit, ‘When you can’t go around, you must go down.’ And I knew I could not go around. So down I went. I walked slow, afraid and shaking, through the tunnels of my heart. Down, into the places I’d forgotten or wished I could forget. And yet, to my utter surprise, there was such treasure there. Rare and precious jewels being formed in the heat of my heart's pain. And I knew, somehow I was not alone.”
Danielle promises Larkk will embrace intimacy and introspection, and you can see that in the incredible live performance below.
Kirk
“Naturally” by The Barr Brothers ft. La Force
The new album from The Barr Brothers is out in a couple weeks, and we’re getting one more tease with the new song “Naturally” featuring Ariel Engle (aka La Force)
I’ve been a fan of Ariel Engle back to AroarA (her project with partner Andrew Whiteman) so I was very happy to see her as one of the many guests on Let It Hiss, which also includes contributions from Klô Pelgag, Elizabeth Powell (of Land Of Talk), Patrick Watson, and Jim James (from My Morning Jacket)
She adds her ethereal vocals to the heartfelt ode to personal growth and self-acceptance, as Brad Barr notes: “This was one of the more demanding songs that I wrote for the album. It required a degree of honesty and humility that, once finished, set the mark a lot higher for what I hope to offer as a songwriter. It helped me open up to some hard truths.”
Listen to “Naturally” below, and pick up Let It Hiss when it’s out on October 17th.
Kirk
“An Effort To Forget” by Headstones ft. Emily Haines
Legendary Canadian rockers Headstones are back with a brand new album, and along with it, a new single featuring Emily Haines!
The Metric singer joined the band for the banger “An Effort To Forget”, their latest single off their eleventh(!!) studio album, BURN ALL THE SHIPS.
Singer Hugh Dillon says, “If there is such a thing as a perfect storm creatively AND collaboratively for this band, ‘An Effort To Forget’ IS that song. Emily Haines is an incendiary talent, adding a powerfully subtle, emotionally elegant perfection to this intensely haunting piece of pure rock & roll.”
And Emily adds she “Was thrilled to make it happen. Instant Headstones classic. I love how the song turned out!”
BURN ALL THE SHIPS is out now, and also features a collaboration with City & Colour’s Dallas Green!
Kirk
“It Come Alive” by Rich Hope
I’m still kicking myself over missing out on Rich Hope recording an album live off the floor at the Anza Club in April, but the beauty is…it’s recorded!
The first song, “It Come Alive”, was released this week as well as the date for the Live At The ANZA Club (November 21st).
Of the reasoning behind recording a live album, Rich says:
“I have always been at my best live, and we wanted to capture what this version of the band is doing. Since we didn’t have the luxury of extended touring and recording every show, we decided on finding the best venue and taking two nights to capture lightning in a bottle. The ANZA is a venue where I played some of my first shows in a neighbourhood where I lived for many years, so I feel a personal connection to the club.”
Well, Kirk and I do too, as it’s been our home for hosting Simpsons Trivia for 4+ years now and I can’t wait to see it highlighted in more videos and songs!
Christine
“Deeper Than Blue” by MALINOWSKI
Yes, that MALINOWSKI!
Jay Malinowski of Canadian staple Bedouin Soundclash, is releasing his first new solo music in more than a decade.
His first offering “Deeper Than Blue”, is a ballad for his son Finn and of writing the song, Jay says: “when I went to write a love song for my son Finn, I was in unknown territory. I had written love songs before but this was a love I had never felt. I went through all the cliches; Valentine’s Day and roses etc. I went through all the colours; reds, pinks and violets. None of that was right. Then I thought about blue.
I went to art school for painting and loved reading about the history of pigments. Blue is very rare in nature and highly prized. I once read an art historian talk about blue in even more poetic terms; that if you try to reach the blue of the sky or the blue of the sea it moves to the horizon or depths just beyond you. You can never reach blue. That was my love for Finn, I thought, except my love is just a bit deeper.”
No official word on a full project, but the rumour mill is churning!
Christine
“Halloween Mask” by sundayclub
It’s the autumnal equinox, so what better way to celebrate than with a song called “Halloween Mask”?
The new track is from Manitoba’s sundayclub, and is an (appropriately) haunting and dreamy indie-pop jam from the duo of Courtney Carmichael and Nikki St. Pierre.
Have a listen below, and check out their upcoming EP Bannatyne when it’s released (appropriately) on October 31st on Paper Bag Records!
Kirk
“Freaks” by Mermaid Island
So fun news… the one and only George Stroumboulopoulos started a music label called No Dad Records, and the first band to sign on released some music!
Mermaid Island, a punk-rock band based out of Los Angeles (though multi hyphenate frontwoman Allie MacDonald is a Canadian!) has released their first track, “Freaks” off of their upcoming album.
It’s a fast-driving track both in pounding drums and furious vocals (that gives me PUP vibes) and speed, with the song clocking in at just over 2.5 minutes.
I’m so excited to see what else is to come from Strombo’s label and from the band.
Christine
