Songs of the Week: June 23 - 29, 2025

June 30, 2025 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Wrong, Wrong, Wrong” by Great Lake Swimmers

Every time Ontario’s Great Lake Swimmers release a new song I remember they’re going on tour with Elliott BROOD…and then I remember it’s not until October.

The latest offering is titled “Wrong, Wrong, Wrong” - a song, according to lead singer Tony Dekker about “being on the edge, in deep despair. The consolation is that it places trust in the understanding of the listener – it’s almost as if the song is speaking directly to a sympathetic friend. Although the music and instrumentation deceptively suggest a sunnier attitude, the lyrical gist is about trying to make sense of a deeply troubled world."

Really love the pedal steel on this track (played by Jimmy Bowskill) as it give the song a bit of a twang. Check it out below!

Christine

“Adore You” by Yukon Blonde

Last month, Yukon Blonde dropped their first new single in a while, and now they’ve not only released a second song, but announced a new album as well!

The new song, “Adore You” is a high energy ode to rock & roll and performing on stage, and I can already picture it as being the big closer to their set as they hit song festivals this summer, and go out on the road this fall.

Bassist James Younger elaborates, “Songs can be signifiers of a mood—they can capture something ethereal. I once told Brandon, right before a show, to "leave it all out there.” A couple of months later, he brought it up, said he liked that feeling, that call to arms. This song is about exactly that. Leaving it all out there. Playing your heart out for the people who showed up, who paid to be in the room with you. It’s a thank you to them, and to the wild, winding musical journey that brought us all into the same space, at the same time, chasing the same electric moment.”

Friendship & Rock 'n' Roll is out Sept 19 on Dine Alone Records, and you can check out the lyric video below, which needs to be cranked loud.

Kirk

“Château de sable” by Cœur de pirate

Following a three year hiatus, Coeur de pirate recently announced a new album and shared the title track. Now, she’s giving another tease with the latest single “Château de sable”

Translating to “Sandcastle”, the new song is a lush, piano-laden song with Cœur de pirate’s gorgeous vocals soaring en français.

The new album Cavale releases September 26 via her label Bravo Music, and you can check out the dreamy video for “Château de sable” below!

Kirk

“Samson & Delilah (Circa 2003)” by Matt Patershuk

On Friday, Alberta singer/songwriter Matt Patershuk announced his sixth studio album, DOG. TIGER. HORSES. and shared the opening track “Samson & Delilah (Circa 2003)”

The new single features Matt’s warm vocals paired with a folk twang, for a song with some very unexpected inspiration: the Kelis banger “Milkshake”.

Patershuk elaborates, “I took the well-worn Bible story of Samson & Delilah and brought it forward to 2003 when Kelis’ song was eating up the airwaves. Though I’m not a religious person, I love Bible stories for the same reason that I love old folk songs. The have been polished to near perfection over a long time, and the good ones distill some important element of the human experience for us to consider. This song is told from Samson’s point of view. Betrayal, deserved or not, is a large, dusty, dry pill to swallow.”

Have a listen for yourself below, and mark September 19th for the release of DOG. TIGER. HORSES. on Black Hen Music.

Kirk

“Home” by Mac DeMarco

As someone that just spent 5 days in the woods and on the water, this new Mac DeMarco song (“Home”) made me smile because the video is of him canoeing - apparently near his mom’s home in Canada. Many birds (and a seal!) make an appearance, including some Canada geese.

The new single comes with an announcement of a new record, titled Guitar, that Mac says is: “as close to a true representation of where I’m at in my life today as I can manage to put to paper. I’m happy to share this music, and look forward to playing these songs as many places as I’m able.”

The album will be released on August 22nd and you can pre-order it right now - and hopefully hear the new tracks…if you got a ticket to his sold-out show on September 24th in Vancouver!

Christine

Songs of the Week: April 07 - 13, 2025

April 14, 2025 by Christine McAvoy in Song Of The Day, Songs Of The Week

“Might” by Bells Larsen

Ahead of his upcoming album, Blurring Time, Bells Larsen has released his latest single, “Might”. The song, along with the rest of the album, aligns with the timeline of his transition. The press release goes into detail, elaborating “Larsen intentionally recorded his previous “high” voice and instrumentation in 2022, waited for his voice to drop after beginning testosterone, then asked frequent collaborator and longtime friend, Georgia Harmer to write vocal arrangements for his new “low” voice, helping him harmonize with his past self — an intentional, multilingual act of surrendering to change.”

You can pick up the album on April 25th via Royal Mountain Records, however Bells also shared some bad news last week. Just a couple days after releasing “Might”, he cancelled all scheduled US shows, explaining with the following:

Hi everyone - I hope you’re as well as can be.

I have to cancel all of the American shows on my spring tour (Boston, NYC, Beacon, LA, San Fran, Healdsburg, Arcata, and Merced). Refunds will be available at your point of purchase. I received an email on Tuesday from the American Federation of Musicians stating that I am no longer able to apply for a Visa because US Immigration now only recognizes identification that corresponds with one’s assigned sex at birth. To put it super plainly, because I’m trans (and have an M on my passport), I can’t tour in the States. I hesitate to include a “right now” or an “anymore” at the end of my previous sentence, because—in this sociopolitical climate—I truly don’t know which phrasing holds more truth. The irony of this announcement falling exactly two weeks before the release of my album, which is about my transition, is not lost on me.

You can read the full statement on Instagram here.

Kirk

“Cut The Brakes” by Dan Mangan

In March Dan Mangan announced his next album Natural Light which is filled with “love songs about a society on the brink of collapse” - sound more and more poignant every day…

His latest track “Cut The Brakes” is the second track off the new record and “attempts a brief history of human evolution,” says Mangan. “We came from plants in the water. We made up stories, built monuments, had a lot of sex, and nobody is driving the bus.”

Excited for more new music and I cannot wait for the Vancouver show (but I suppose I’ll have to!) on October 3rd at the Vogue Theatre - click here for tickets.

Christine

“Leave Tonight” by Two Hours Traffic

I can already see myself swaying along to this one at a venue with a beer in my hand - it’s just so Two Hours Traffic.

This quote from lead singer Liam Corcoran gives me a hint at why: “another one of our countless attempts at writing a classic pop song, similar to what we grew up hearing on the radio in the late 80s / early 90s.” The story is of a doomed romance, and it’s easy to see why it fits into that 80s/90s vibe.

The band only has a few Ontario dates right now for a tour, but you’ll see me first in line if they make it out to Vancouver anytime soon.

Christine

“Sharpshooter ” by The Halluci Nation

I knew the latest EP from The Halluci Nation was a wrestling themed concept album, so a new single named “Sharpshooter” was not entirely unsurprising.

But what was shocking was guest vocals from The Excellence of Execution himself, Bret “The Hitman” Hart!

Bear Witness explains, “We are so excited for everyone to hear this project. It's been a dream of ours to bring this concept to life since we finished our Suplex EP. Kicking off this EP with a track that features such an Icon like Bret "The Hitman" Hart still doesn't feel real!”

With Tim “2oolman” Hill adding, “Bret is the greatest pro wrestler of all time and we have so many memories watching him over the years, so there is no one better to help us tell our Path of The Baby Face story. He is such a great guy and has been so supportive of this song from start to finish.”

Path of The Baby Face EP is out April 25, and you can check out the video, by ComboBravo, below, which features appearances by Damian Abraham, Mo “Kid Chocolate” Jabri, and Sebastian “The War Chief” Wolfe.

Kirk

Songs From The Gang - A Celebration Of Joel Plaskett by Various Artists

In honour of Joel Plaskett’s upcoming 50th birthday — and his 30+ years making music — a whole host of Canadian’s finest created a tribute album… in complete secrecy! Songs From The Gang - A Celebration Of Joel Plaskett is a double album that was released last week and features the likes of Arkells, Sloan, City and Colour, Frank Turner, Jenn Grant, Rose Cousins, Mo Kenney, The Sheepdogs, Alan Doyle, Matt & Jill Barber, Bahamas, and loads more, delivering unique cover of Plaskett classics. And better yet, you can watch his reaction to the surprise on instagram!

It was a tough pick, but on first listen my favourite of the bunch was “Nowhere With You” from Mi’kmaq musician Alan Syliboy & the Thundermakers, who blended Joel’s original lyrics with Mi’kmaq translations!

Kirk

Christine chiming in here with HER favourite track from the album (which, give that whole thing a listen, because this was hard to pick!). I really love the Arkells cover of “Come On, Teacher” as it goes so well with Max’s voice and the “Drunk Teenagers” one is all kinds of fun…
But the Two Hours Traffic cover of “Deny, Deny, Deny” from Three (which I think is my fav album of Joel’s) was so great - it starting with a can being cracked and the “Let’s freaking do this” just made me laugh.

Christine

“Cavale” by Coeur de pirate

Coeur de pirate is back with a brand new single, “Cavale”! The new single is the title track to her upcoming seventh album, and is a soaring indie-pop anthem that will absolutely get stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

Cavale is out some time this fall, and explores “themes of longing, regret, and tangled love - hallmarks of Cœur de pirate’s lyrical world. Set against a driving, euphoric beat, the single channels the spirit of Springsteen, turning escape and return into an exhilarating sonic journey.”

She’s also got a handful of tour dates for later in the year (mostly out east, so fingers crossed for a Vancouver date!) and then a lengthy European tour next year.

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

Song of the Day: February 29, 2016 - "Pokémon Theme Song" by Cœur de pirate

February 29, 2016 by Kirk Hamilton in Song Of The Day

This weekend marked 20 years since Pokémon came into existence, and so Cœur de pirate covered the theme song.

What more do you need to know?