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.”

Maki co-wrote “Nine Lives” with Drew Shalka (Mute Choir) during a snowstorm-stranded session in Nashville – the same partnership that produced his previous hit, “Technicolor Dreams.” “It was one of the most productive writing sessions I’ve ever taken part in,” says Maki. “We wrote the entire song – lyrics, melody, arrangement, and demo – in the span of about six hours, then capped the day with his partner’s homemade tuna casserole. With 100 songs written for this project and eight selected for the record, it's truly a statistical miracle that two of the eight were co-written with Drew.”

Working once again with VAŪLTS – the JUNO-winning production duo of David Mohacsi and Maïa Davies – Maki reshaped the song’s early melancholy into a radiant anthem about love’s endurance. “You wouldn’t know it, but this song was originally about unrequited love,” he recalls. “It started off as a documenting of a failed relationship that could and would never rekindle. I wrote: if I had nine lives, I’d try almost anything… but nine lives ain’t gonna make you love me. When David and Maïa suggested a revamping of the message and the lyrics, I originally resisted, but I’m so glad that I trusted them and the process.”

The single’s lush rhythm section and stacked vocal harmonies evoke vintage disco and modern funk while maintaining Maki’s signature sincerity. The song’s bridge, in particular, shows his willingness to push creative boundaries – a rhythmic tangle of drums, vocals, and guitar that collide in unexpected ways before resolving into a warm, cathartic finale.

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHvlJZqPGmE

From the quiet corners of a Nova Scotia night, Jont’s “Let’s Just Be Friends” emerges as a tender, nocturnal meditation on love and truth – a song that drifts between dreamy romanticism and grounded self-awareness. Vulnerable and timeless, it’s a story of connection that was perhaps always destined to burn bright and fade, leaving behind the bittersweet beauty of understanding.

“Late at night, sat up in bed with my guitar, is how some of my best songs have come,” Jont shares. “Maybe it was always thus for songwriters – Cohen, Dylan – the muse sitting beside them as the world sleeps. And with my cats Oscar and Buttons beside me, I can be found there too, up late, lights low, guitar in my lap, writing something that’s sprung out of me without warning and demanding my attention.”

“You don’t have to be a genius to work out it’s a love song,” he continues. “And an autobiographical one at that. Sincere too in its message – or maybe not sincere in the desire to stay as just friends. Just true in what it says about what happens when you don’t.”

What follows is a song suspended in that liminal space between longing and surrender. “Right now the world is asleep, it’s just you and me counting sheep, we can’t afford to miss a beat, or no-one’ll know how many there have been…” Jont sings in the chorus – a lyric that captures the fleeting, dizzying joy of new connection, even as the verses quietly predict its impermanence.

“Sometimes it seems the songs know before I do how things are going to go,” Jont reflects. “But we haven’t learnt the lesson until we’ve had enough of the pain. And though over the years the pain might have seemed almost too much to bear, it has also led directly to more fruitful evenings — sat up late at night, guitar in lap, as emotions alchemise and dissolve into a subtle and radiant joy.”

Watch the official video HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok8CLSWK928

Toronto alt-pop artist City Builders returns with “No Sleep,” a chaotic and euphoric anthem dedicated to wild nights, reckless fun, and the liberating art of letting go. Fueled by intrusive ideas and best-friend mischief, the song celebrates the beauty of becoming a “menace” for one night because sometimes, freedom sounds like laughter echoing down city streets at 3AM.

“My best friend and I turn into absolute demons on a night out,” says Grace Turner, the force behind City Builders. “There’s nothing like giving into your intrusive ideas with a best friend, and I needed to write something that sounded as chaotic as our nights out.”

The track came together in a whirlwind week with producers Zach Zanardo and Al P, and co-writer Maia Davies – a dream team Turner had admired for years. The chemistry in the studio was electric; from initial demo to final mix, “No Sleep” came to life almost overnight. “Everyone was so stoked with the record that we got the ball rolling immediately and completed the track in a week,” Turner shares. “I even got my friends in the studio to record adlibs and backup vocals and scheduled a shoot for the cover art the same night.”

Listen to “No Sleep” HERE. Watch the official video HERE.
Beyond its infectious energy, “No Sleep” carries City Builders’ signature emotional depth: an invitation to embrace chaos without shame. “My goal as an artist is to enable people to feel their most extreme emotions,” says Turner. “I hope this song helps people let loose and become a menace for a night because it is liberating. I also hope that this song encourages the listener to feel shameless and quiets the noise when the hangxiety of a crazy night out creeps in.”

For Turner, “No Sleep” embodies the thrill of friendship and freedom. “This song makes me want to go bar hopping with my best friend, end up at our ops party, make an Irish exit and bring home some kind of furniture we find on the street.”

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9hZGknvv98&feature=youtu.be

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.

Album opener “Idle Talk” is a math-folk track inspired by the history of the word ‘gossip’ and the way female relationships have been perceived throughout history. “The earliest known origin of the word referred to a midwife, then to women who supported a new mother during childbirth, then more generally to women who were friends/supportive of each other,” Thorn explains. “Eventually, it ended up being a derogatory term during the Middle Ages and Renaissance times when the patriarchy started to see female friendships as a threat to its agenda.”

“Idle Talk” also showcases Thorn’s experimentation with unusual time signatures and instrumentation. “My favourite part of this track are the drums, played by Dan Gaucher. I’m also proud of my use of melody in this song – I have been working for a long time with getting the harp to express melody in a direct and succinct way and I feel like that really works here. It’s so fun to play!”

Listen to xiik feat. the lead single, “Idle Talk,” HERE: https://open.spotify.com/album/1cepwNvQdY5JWdDRl69ogp?si=1&nd=1&dlsi=55543d8b86b04d59

With warmth, wit, and a deep sense of reflection, Saskatchewan-born singer-songwriter Jeffery Straker shares “Never Too Old To Wish” – a piano-driven roots-folk Christmas song that celebrates the magic of memory, the joy of togetherness, and the beauty of growing older without losing your sense of wonder.

“It seems with each passing year that the meaning of Christmas has evolved or changed for me, bit by bit,” Straker shares. “When I was a kid, it was all about the gifts from Santa. Over time, the magic of Santa faded, but the magic of the season didn’t – it just shifted. It became about connection, gratitude, and joy.”

Blending tender storytelling with a timeless piano-driven melody, “Never Too Old To Wish” explores the emotional evolution of the holidays – from childlike excitement to nostalgic reflection. The song’s message, Straker explains, is one of celebration rather than sorrow: “It’s not a sad longing, rather almost kind of a celebration of reflections. I think that’s why the old Christmas songs never get old – they’re soundtracks and underscores to our past joy.”

Listen to “Never Too Old To Wish” HERE: https://open.spotify.com/track/3rUZpeXfZhot2lKyGdoRnr?si=37bd81b8954f42c8&nd=1&dlsi=a9a426799d584cac

Written in the wake of losing both of his parents, Straker’s new single reflects on the ways memory deepens the meaning of Christmas. “Though the look of the season changes every year – the fancy LED lights, the giant inflatable snowmen, a few more grey hairs – there’s still plenty of magic,” he says. “When I was little, I used to dream about Santa arriving on his sleigh. Now I dream about having some of the people with me who are no longer here. I’m still wishing – just wishing about different things.”

Rooted in Straker’s signature piano style and warm, narrative voice, “Never Too Old To Wish” feels both deeply personal and instantly familiar – a comforting reminder that the spirit of the holidays endures in our memories and the people we hold close.

Toronto-based rock ensemble Original Pairs return with Surface Tension, their fourth studio album and a potent exploration of personal longing, existential dread, and the human condition. Anchored by Andrew Frontini’s resonant baritone, the album spans ten musical parables set against twangy, reverb-drenched guitars, bluesy organ textures, and deep retro synth stylings from keyboardist Jon Loewen. Buttressed by Lynda Kraar’s melodic bass and Lisa Logan’s precise, orchestral drumming, Surface Tension balances haunting reverie with savage rock energy, mining the depths of a life lived in rock‘n’roll purgatory.

“Surface Tension taught us to experiment and improvise. To lean into our musical backgrounds, drawing upon a lifetime of playing and listening to music,” says Frontini. “It’s always intense, trying to get a lot done in a very compressed time period. The whole album was recorded, including overdubs in five days.” The album’s themes invite listeners to embrace life’s anxieties, fears, and doubts, breaking through the “surface tension” of everyday existence into greater understanding.

Listen to Surface Tension featuring the focus track, “Curiosity,” HERE: https://open.spotify.com/album/2jX12Yuyduq4yLn4dTX6HW?si=1&nd=1&dlsi=87e16cff4e924c86

At the heart of the album is “Curiosity,” a dark and moody track inspired by the perils and powers of the imagination. Frontini describes it as “a cautionary tale about the dangers of curiosity – art’s catalyst that can make you crazy.” A period of daydreaming and obsessive self-reflection fueled the song, and the resulting composition captures the tension of a mind teetering between fantasy and reality.

The recording process highlights Original Pairs’ commitment to organic, live-off-the-floor performance. “We never use click tracks and we don’t cut and paste,” explains Frontini. “We aim for a live performance with the maximum of emotional intensity that it brings. It’s never perfect but always real.”

The song’s final climax features a layered interplay of guitars, Rhodes piano, Moog synth, and driving drum fills, building to a dramatic, chaotic peak that mirrors the narrative of obsession and inner turmoil. Producer John Dinsmore’s final mix emphasized the dramatic arc from ponderous and wistful to anxiety-fueled freak out.

Denise Marsa unleashes “HOLE (UNTIL DAWN REMIX)” with unstoppable dance-floor intensity

Denise Marsa returns with a powerhouse new release as she continues her remarkable rise across the UK club landscape. Her latest track, “HOLE (Until Dawn Remix),” arrives as the second remix single from her forthcoming album RISK + HEAL and follows the success of her recent UK Music Week Commercial Pop Club Chart breakthrough, “Company of Women (Until Dawn Remix),” which climbed to #6 earlier this year.

Listen in here: With “HOLE (Until Dawn Remix),” Marsa once again joins forces with her longtime UK collaborators — producer Jim Sullivan of Until Dawn and the promotional team at Eurosolution — the creative power trio behind her run of seven consecutive Top 10 club hits since 2024. Their signature fusion of bold pop production and dance-floor precision is on full display here, delivering a remix built for peak-hour sets and designed to ignite clubs across the UK and beyond.Propelled by a relentless beat and atmospheric tension, the track channels the turbulence of today’s world, transforming unrest into a driving, rhythm-heavy release. Marsa’s urgent, expressive vocals cut through the layers of synths and percussion, giving the song an emotional clarity that mirrors the pressures, questions, and intensity of modern life.

The result is a remix with cinematic sweep and club-ready impact — a combination that has become a hallmark of Marsa’s recent work and a key factor in her continued chart success.“HOLE (Until Dawn Remix)” lands as Marsa closes out a career-defining year — one that solidified her place on UK dance floors and expanded her presence across international club culture. The upcoming album RISK + HEAL is poised to continue that momentum, offering a collection shaped by global collaborations, expansive production, and Marsa’s distinct storytelling voice.

The new single out today, November 14, marks the latest step in a creative run that has pushed Marsa’s artistry into a new era of visibility, energy, and innovation. As she continues her cross-continental trajectory, “HOLE (Until Dawn Remix)” stands as a vivid preview of what’s to come—ambitious, urgent, and engineered for impact.Marsa, an award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and founder of Marsa Media and KeyMedia Group, continues to build a multifaceted musical and creative ecosystem that spans production, label operations, and strategic publicity. With this latest release, she further reinforces her growing influence in the international pop and dance communities.

LISTEN IN HERE: https://open.spotify.com/album/4GCl0tcfh0Vw3KPuVnefoI

African Nova Scotian Music Association’s 2025 Songwriter of the Year Blessing Tangban returns with “God Of…” – a cinematic, soul-stirring worship song that explores the beauty, vastness, and intimacy of God’s presence in every moment. Written on a mountaintop in Nigeria, the track captures the awe of encountering a God who is both infinite and near – the God of the mountain, the valley, the healed, the broken.

“This song is my reminder that God is present in every part of my story – from the mountaintop moments to the quiet, broken places,” says Tangban. “‘God Of…’ is a declaration of awe – for a God who’s not limited by our highs or lows, but is deeply involved in every detail.”

Recorded in collaboration with her producer in an intimate studio session, “God Of…” mirrors the simplicity and majesty of the mountain setting that inspired it. “We decided the song should be as bare and vast as the amount of space you’re exposed to on the peak of a mountain,” she explains. “It was just both of us in the studio – simple, easy, honest – and he captured my intention so well. I performed the song in one take and the rest is history.”

The track’s title is intentionally unfinished – “God Of…” – an open-ended phrase that reflects the endlessness of who God is. Its orchestral-inspired arrangement and minimal instrumentation leave room for stillness, while Tangban’s warm, soul-inflected vocals invite listeners into quiet reflection and reverence.

“I don’t always understand how God shows up – sometimes it’s gentle, sometimes wild – but it’s always love. That’s what this song captures,” she adds.

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVEKsWsmk_w

9X JUNO Award winners Arkells release their infectious new track, “What Good?” out today via Universal Music Canada and Virgin Music Group. Full of conviction and drive, “What Good?” marks the introduction to Arkells’ forthcoming new album, due in 2026.

Following two weeks of social teasers, and MLB World Series bumpers, Arkells premiered the song live for a select group of fans in a local Toronto garage rehearsal space a mere 48 hours before release. The tone of the event speaks to the spirit of the song, and the up-close and personal experiences it longs for.

“What Good?” aims to ask the blunt questions on the noise of modern day life: What good is the comment section? What good is rage bait disguised as debate? What good is hustle culture if it only rewards grifters and conmen?

“The song doesn’t pretend to have neat answers—but it points toward where meaning might still be found,” says frontman Max Kerman. “The sun, the moon, the neon glow of your neighborhood bar. Things we can share, things that feel real.”

Listen in here: https://open.spotify.com/track/33B5ndQdjowreqRzRzKV92?si=5f5fb2d4e720482a

Toronto’s No Breaks Jake returns with “Trouble,” a warm, intimate alt/indie rock track that captures the silent complexities of human experience. Unlike the band’s heavier, more chaotic work, this song allows space for openness, reflection, and emotional clarity. It’s a song about perseverance and the intersection of courage and vulnerability, a reminder that even when life is at its most overwhelming, resolve can pull you forward.

“Compared to my other work, there’s a little less rage and a little more humanity,” explains frontman Jacob Kassay. “It’s not as loud or as angry – instead it gets to be more warm, more open, more willing to let you in and show what’s hurting.”

“Trouble,” the second track of No Breaks Jake’s upcoming Amygdalan EP, was crafted with careful attention to warmth and accessibility. Subdued vocals, cleaner guitar tones, and gradual layering of instruments build toward moments of cathartic intensity. “The bridge, in particular, is my favourite part of the song,” Kassay explains. “There’s this feeling where everything inverts and the song sort of wraps its arms around you.”

The track demonstrates No Breaks Jake’s distinctive ability to combine raw energy with emotional insight. From the opening line, What about it? I feel like I’m in over my head, the song evokes the fragile yet determined spirit at the heart of the band’s music. “It makes me feel warm,” Kassay reflects. “I feel like I know this person, like I’ve been this person. The weird thing is… I’m not sure if I want to follow their example or tell them I’m here if they need help. It’s just a perfect point of openness in seeing someone for who they are: their triumphs, their flaws, and their, well… troubles.”

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVyWeeMm6zg&feature=youtu.be