Each week, CBC Music producers come together to highlight Canada's best new tracks.
This week, we have songs from Young Galaxy, Milk & Bone, Nuela Charles and others. Scroll down to find out why you need to hear them.
What are some Canadian tunes you're currently obsessed with? Share them with us on Twitter @CBCMusic.
‘Nevermore,’ Milk & Bone
“Nevermore” is a standout track from Milk & Bone’s February release, Deception Bay, and now there’s a new video to pair with your solo dance parties. "Nevermore/ you won't catch me crying/ on the kitchen floor," Camille Poliquin and Laurence Lafond-Beaulne promise, floating through hallways and living rooms as they dance through their affirmations. It's the perfect antidote to any end-of-winter doubts you have about yourself.
— Holly Gordon
‘Treehouse,’ Kae Sun
Ghanaian-Canadian singer-songwriter Kae Sun released his third full-length album on March 2 via Montreal's Moonshine label, and it’s been tough to pull a single track for this week’s list. From his collaboration with Ariane Moffatt ("Fix Up") to the Black Lives Matter-inspired "Longwalk," to stripped-down album closer "The Moment," the Montreal-based artist is producing bangers and tender moments throughout Whoever Comes Knocking's 10 tracks that all deserve more time. But to start, we'll leave you with "Treehouse," Kae Sun's hazy single about personal relocation — both mentally, and physically. — HG
‘Cult Kids,’ Brave Shores
Four years after their breakout hit, “Never Come Down,” Toronto sibling duo Brave Shores are back with a new single called “Cult Kids.” In that interim, member Jay McCarrol was, funnily enough, playing a wannabe musician onscreen in the Viceland series Nirvanna the Band the Show where he writes jingles alongside his best friend Matt while constantly scheming to land a show at a local music venue. In Brave Shores though, McCarrol and his sister Stephanie have far surpassed those goals as they embark on a string of dates opening for Born Ruffians. On “Cult Kids,” they return to tip-top pop form, harmonizing an incredibly catchy melody over layers of booming synths. Much like their aforementioned hit, expect “Cult Kids” to be a staple come summertime.
— Melody Lau
‘Catch Your Breath,’ Young Galaxy
“We’ll make more here with less,” Young Galaxy sing on their newest single from their forthcoming album, Down Time, due out April 6. The electro-pop band’s sonic trademark is “shimmering” and it’s particularly appropriate here with this otherworldly beauty wherein almost every lyric sounds like promises being made by benevolent aliens who’ve been hiding in plain sight for a while and are now making their presence known.
— Andrea Warner
‘Do it Right,’ Nuela Charles
Nuela Charles’ 2016 sophomore album, The Grand Hustle, is up for a Juno Award this month, in the adult contemporary album of the year category, but she’s already setting her sights on future releases. “Do it Right” is a brand new single from the Edmonton native, a snappy upbeat number that’s unafraid to demand: “If you’re gonna do it/ Better do it right.” At first, the track’s bouncy bass line and finger snaps conjure up the sounds of Portugal. The Man’s breakout hit, “Feel it Still,” but once Charles’ irresistible coos swoop in, we’re transported to a soulful world all her own. Do it right, and leave this song on repeat for the rest of the week. — ML
‘Blind,’ Jean-Michel Blais
Jean-Michel Blais’ music is at its most exciting when he skirts the edges of classical and dips his toes into other realms such as pop or electronic. On his latest single, “Blind,” the Montreal pianist and composer shows off the perfect synthesis of the latter with his improvisational piano skills. The track, which almost immediately sets a tone of suspense and uncertainty with low-humming strings crawling underneath, soon gets engulfed in an electronic beat. As it progresses, the piano and the beat react and adapt to each other effortlessly, creating something unexpected but beautiful. It’s reminiscent of Blais’ collaboration with CFCF last year and it’s a direction that we want to hear more of. — ML
More to explore:
Juno Awards 2018: full coverage
First Play: I'm Bad Now, Nap Eyes
William Prince, Maddee, Lou Phelps and more: songs you need to hear this week