Songs of the Week: March 24 - 30, 2025

“Make Way For Waves” by Amy Millan

Last week Amy Millan shared another tease of her upcoming solo album with the latest song, “Make Way For Waves”

The beautiful, twitchy song was the first collaboration between Millan and the album’s co-writer/co-producer Jay McCarrol (of Nirvana the Band the Show fame), and Amy says:

“This song has a very special place in my heart. It’s the first song Jay and I collaborated on and was initially titled ‘gentle beginnings.’ It is the song that launched our relationship and the making of this album. The first verse was an old Stars demo sitting in a hard drive cemetery. I never forgot it and my attachment to the sentiment of the verse lyrics. I sent what I had to Jay and told him it needed a chorus and obviously a second verse. A few weeks later, he sent the song back completed and with this punch in the gut chorus that made me fall out of my chair. We were off. Lyrically I was seeking to articulate how difficult patches in life can influence you to blow it all up or throw in the towel. I was clinging to the idea that with some patience and reflection maybe calmer waters eventually return like the cycle of the moon. Mourning time passing is a right of passage, and the forlorn can make a beautiful hook. Trying not to let fear find a home in my heart.”

Amy’s new album I Went To Find You comes out May 30 on Last Gang Records, and you can check out the gorgeous hand-drawn animated video by Gaia Alari below!

• Kirk

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“Get Dumber” by PUP

My favourite part of the video for this song is when the saxophone lights up a mini saxophone weed pipe.

Honestly I’d love to just leave it at that, but I’ll tell you more about PUP’s new single “Get Dumber”.
The track will appear on the band’s upcoming album Who Will Look After The Dogs? which is out in just over a month on May 2nd.

The song features band bud and collaborator Jeff Rosenstock and has a hilarious story behind it that singer Stefan Babcock relates below:
“I wrote ‘Get Dumber’ in Jeff’s basement. I was house sitting for him while he was on tour. I recorded the first demo for it on his guitar using his mics and his computer. Maybe because the ghost of Jeff was in the room with me, I always imagined our voices on this song together, so I was very happy when he agreed to sing on it. 
We recorded the vocals together, in the same room, facing each other. What that means is, we both had to nail it at the same time because we couldn’t really cut between takes. On the first take, he forgot a line in the second verse and said “ahhhhhh, lyrics” instead. I couldn’t finish the take because I was laughing too hard. Anyway, he practiced singing the correct lyrics but then we decided those lyrics kinda sucked and he should just stick to “ahhhh lyrics” because it’s funny and the song is called Get Dumber.”

And, like all PUP videos, this one is worth the watch.

• Christine
  

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“Take It Easy” by Total Fucking Darkness

Speaking of side projects from members of Stars, Total Fucking Darkness dropped their latest single, a thumping rave anthem antithetically called “Take It Easy”.

And you know what, I love everything about this blurb in the press release, so I want to just copy it verbatim:

Written in real-time, “Take It Easy” was born from pure spite. Torquil Campbell (a man who once played a badger in a cartoon) wrote the lyrics while listening to the track for the first time—a feat that continues to baffle even his bandmates, Stephen Ramsay (tall and just on this side of handsome) and Tom McFall (English studio genius and synthesist whose engineering credits include the likes of REM, Bloc Party, Twin Shadow, Regina Spektor). And then, of course, there are the sheep.

Still no word on an album from the trio, but if you’re in Montreal you can attend the inaugural Total Fucking Darkness party on May 29th at Newspeak.

Kirk

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“Listen2me” by Foxwarren

Having new Foxwarren land in my inbox was unexpected and super exciting!

Foxwarren (which is made up of Andy Shauf, Avery Kissick and Darryl Kissick, Dallas Bryson, and Colin Nealis) announced that their new record, 2, will be released on May 30th!

The first track “Listen2me” had be swaying and bobbing along from the first few notes, and warranted an immediate re-listen (I see the irony with the song title).

In addition to the song, you'll really want to see the video produced for it (created by Winston Hacking) as it involves actual miniature sets and stop-motion animation cut outs!

• Christine

Songs of the Week: February 10 - 16, 2025

“Wire Walks” by Amy Millan

It’s been 15 years(!!) since the last solo release from Amy Millan, but now the Stars co-founder has teased a brand new album with the first single, “Wire Walks”.

Anchored by her unmatched voice, the new song is a beautiful, lilting tune, with Amy explaining: “Getting older is a trip. You assume you’re gonna grow out of feeling like you might fall down a hole any minute, but for me the feeling continues to hover,” continuing to so say, “I reference Stars’ ‘Ageless Beauty’ here with the lyric ‘I lied when I said that time would catch your head.’ I thought when I was younger time would mend all wounds, but I was wrong, it does not. Turns out they stick around! So what I have learned with my sage years is to stop trying to dodge and outrun the hard feelings. Embrace the difficult bits, the footprint that made me what I am. When outrunning isn’t working, I might need to lean into what I’ve always been.”

You can check out the etherial video below — Luca Tarantini — and pick up the new album I Went To Find You when it’s out on May 30, via Last Gang Records.

• Kirk

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“Hallways” by PUP

Toronto’s PUP have announced that their next album, Who Will Look After The Dogs, will be released on May 2nd.

Lead singer Stefan Babcock says the song “Hallways” was the first song he wrote for the new album which has the lyric that ended up being the album title.
“Within days of announcing our last album, coincidentally titled The Unraveling of PUPTHEBAND, my life unexpectedly imploded. I wrote the lyrics for 'Hallways' while all that was going on. It was a weird fucking week," says Babcock. "The title of our new record, Who Will Look After The Dogs?, is what I wrote at the top of the page, the very first thing written for this album. I think it’s devastating, but in a ‘holy shit this is overdramatic’ kinda way. At least in context of the line that comes before it. That’s what makes it funny to us. That overblown stuff we all say in our dark moments can be hilarious once you've cooled off a bit. I don’t know if anyone else thinks it’s funny, but sometimes you gotta laugh at yourself. It's the only way out of the abyss. Trust me.” 

I cannot wait to here more from one of my favourite bands! And you definitely need to watch the accompanying video for “Hallways” below - which sees the band becoming one with furniture and appliances.

• Christine

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“Listening Party” by Odds & Limblifter

Ahead of their co-headlining show at the Commodore this week, Odds and Limblifter have gotten together for a brand new single, “Listening Party”.

It’s exactly what you would hope & expect from the pair of 90s alt-rock powerhouses, who describe the collab as “in the spirit of Max Webster and Rush creating "Battle Scar,” two crack bands are forged into one.” and say the song is “a dedication to the raw symphony of the natural world — a breezy manifestation of friendship, music, and the great outdoors.”

Have a listen below, or pick up the Limited Edition Square Shaped Flexi 7" from Limblifter’s bandcamp, and make sure you’re at the Commodore this Friday night!

• Kirk

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“Oulalala” by Omega Mighty

Ear-worm Alert!

This track landed in my inbox on Valentine’s Day (convenient, as it’s a love song) and I’ve been humming “Oulalala” for the last several days.

Omega Mighty says her new pop track “is for the lovers…the ones who believe in love, or desire to be loved but also want to keep the relationship fun and exciting. It's a cheeky flirtatious bop, but it's also an empowerment song with a reminder to go for what you want!"

Gotta love love!

• Christine

Songs of the Week: August 08 - 14, 2022

“Retriever” by Braids

Clear your next ten minutes, because you are going to want to just sit back and let the luscious new song from Braids wash over you.

“Retriever” is the group’s first new music since their 2020 album Shadow Offering, which the band describes as “a 9-minute journey track, simple in its sentiment of love and friendship, yet complex in its lush arrangement and textural experimentation. We returned to our roots with this one, exploring new corners of sound, collaboration and a ‘DGAF’ attitude with where we ended up. This song is a trip back to euphoric freedom and lightness during a time of intense isolation. We were happy to travel there, and for you to now dive into it.”

No word yet on a new album from the Montreal trio, but here’s hoping we find out something soon!

• Kirk

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“The TFD” by TOTAL FUCKING DARKNESS

Torquil Campbell has been busy as of late. Even with a new Stars album (and tour) and working on his personalized song commissions, he still had time to team with longtime friend and collaborator Stephen Ramsay (of Young Galaxy) for a brand new band.

Going under the name TOTAL FUCKING DARKNESS (or just TFD), the duo released their debut single “The TFD” last week. The synth-pop jam was written & recorded “in 20 minutes on the verandah of a rich woman's house.”

And how can you not love a song with the stark opening lines: “death to fascism, death to men, death to the politicians and the women who live with them”

• Kirk

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“Scattered Ashes” by UWUW

Speaking of new supergroups…
Vocals from Chris A. Cummings aka Marker Starling, and Drew Smith (Bunny, The Bicycles), and a band consisting of Jason Haberman of Dan Mangan and Yeahsun, Jay Anderson of Badge Epoque Ensemble, Biblical and Lammping, and Ian Blurton of Ian Blurton’s Future Now, Change of Heart, and C’mon have joined forces to form UWUW.

UWUW (which is pronounced “you-you”), will have a self-titled debut album out in October of this year, and the first single “Scattered Ashes” is out now. It’s got a jazzy, yet 70s fuzzy rock vibe to it and I’m always in for a good horn section! Check it out below.

• Christine

Songs of the Week: April 25 - May 01, 2022

“All Comes Crashing” by Metric

It’s been a hot minute since we’ve heard new music from Metric, but last week they released the lead single for their brand new album!

The buzzing synth and crunchy guitars of “All Comes Crashing” is the first taste we’re getting of Formentera, due out on July 8th.

Frontwoman Emily Haines says “Not everyone has a conventional life with conventional relationships,” says front woman Emily Haines. “All Comes Crashing” is a love song that goes beyond romantic love, it’s an expression of solidarity with whoever it is you would want to have beside you in the event of catastrophe. It might be your best friend, it might be your blood brother or your dog. The song is dedicated to those you consider your family, whatever that looks like for you.”

They’ve also announced a pretty extensive tour for later this year, including Canadian dates (like August 13 here in Vancouver) with Dear Rouge, an absolute perfect pairing!

• Kirk

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“Fucking Up What Matters” by Tegan and Sara

Seems like we’re getting new music from a ton of long-standing Canadian artists right now (see above and below as well).
Well, Tegan and Sara put out a new single from their upcoming TENTH album. According to Tegan, “Fucking Up What Matters” felt like an ode to the moment in your life when you realize that you have most, if not all of the things you wanted and you start to think about what would happen if you just walked away from it all.

The twins recently jumped labels over to Mom+Pop Music, and their TV adaptation of their memoir High School is in production now. We'll definitely be hearing and seeing more from the duo soon.

• Christine

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“Capelton Hill” by Stars

New music from Metric and Stars in the same week?! In anticipation for their upcoming album, From Capelton Hill, Stars released the title track, “Capelton Hill”.

In classic Stars fashion, the song featured back & forth vocals from Torquil Cambell and Amy Millan, with Torq saying:

“This song sounds like an ending. And maybe it is. It's certainly a moment of looking back; at what we've done together, and what we've lost along the way. It focuses on this band’s enduring obsession: loss. The cost of loving somewhere or someone is the fact that you lose them. The last two years have taught us all a lot about loss; loss of loved ones, of time, of memories, of simple pleasures. That loss hurts. We're all hurt, and there is no way around it, you can only go through it. Whether you're ten or fifty, things change. But on Capelton Hill, maybe things can stay the same. For just one more year.”

From Capelton Hill is out May 27, and their tour kicks off right here in Vancouver on June 4th!

• Kirk

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“Long Way Down” by iskwē and Tom Wilson

The duo of iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ (Cree Métis) and Tom Wilson | Tehoh’ahake (Mohawk) have released a few singles over the past couple of years, and now we’re finally getting word of their debut album!

Mother Love is out July 20, and that announcement comes with the latest single, “Long Way Down”. Opening with a bouncy guitar line, the song features a fantastic contrast of voices between iskwē and Tom.

Have a listen for yourself below!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: March 21 - 27, 2022

“Viral” by Matthew Barber

I was super surprised to get this new song from Matthew Barber in my inbox, as we haven’t had anything from him since 2018!
”Viral” is exactly what you think it is about - “the accelerated world we live in. A world in which technology grapples with nature and ingenuity spawns unintended consequences” (says Barber).

No news in the press release about more music, as Barber has spent the last few years being on the producer side of music, but here’s hoping!

• Christine

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“Patterns” by Stars

We’ve still got a couple months before Stars release their latest album, From Capelton Hill, but the band has given us another pair of new songs to dig into before then!

“Build A Fire” is a thumping, dancey tune that was “written in a fever dream of Covid-19 paranoia and restlessness, somewhere in the middle of last year,” according to Torquill Campbell.

While “Patterns” is a little more atmospheric song about connections. Amy Milan explains “Friendship is the only boat that will float you across the storm. With your friends you create the ethos to shield all that tomorrow will throw at you. Some Patterns can be changed. Some Patterns are sacred geometry and will never change. Only what loves will remain.” And what better way to exemplify that than with an appearance from long-time friend-of-the-band, Murray Lightburn of The Dears!

Listen to “Build A Fire” right here, and check out the video for “Patterns” below!

• Kirk

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“Totally Fine” by Pup

So the new album from PUP (coming out on April 1st) is called THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND, and this video for their latest single “Totally Fine” definitely leans into that.

It features the band selling out and entering the corporate world with some evil plans up their sleeves.

And in the video description they say: “ARE YOU CONFUSED BY OUR NEW VIDEO? DO YOU NEED ANSWERS?? DOES YOUR LIFE LACK MEANING??? CALL US 323-570-0388. We have all new menu options.”
Admit it, you’re curious… definitely give it a call.

• Christine

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“Everything Is Fine” by Skye Wallace

Between the title of the new Pup song and the title of the new Skye Wallace song, is… is everyone alright?

For Skye’s answer, you’ll just have to have a peek at the video for “Everything is Fine” below, an oddly heartwarming tale of a swamp creature just trying to get through the day and do their best.

The video matches the song’s raw vulnerability, so have a watch below!

• Kirk

Songs of the Week: February 14 - 20, 2022

“Pretenders” and “Snowy Owl” by Stars

Drop everything, there’s brand new music from Stars! It’s been a while since we’ve heard from the Montreal group (unless you subscribe to their Patreon, where they frequently post demos and teases) and now we have not one, but two brand new songs to hype their upcoming album, Capelton Hill.

The pair of tunes encapsulates the band perfectly, with “Pretenders” being a raucous, high energy love letter written from Amy Millan to the rest of the band; and “Snowy Owl” a more tender, acoustic track, with Amy and Torquil Campbell trading off vocals.

Capelton Hill comes out May 27th, or if you want more new music from Amy or Torq, both have been taking personalized commissions(!) on their respective twitter accounts, if you have a spare $1000.

• Kirk

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“RIP To Us” by Kelland & Willa

I’ve missed hearing Willa’s voice so much - although I do hear it almost daily with those Rogers commercials - but I was so excited to see she collaborated on a new track with (Vancouver-based artist) Kelland.

“RIP To Us” is a danceable banger of a break-up song, and the two artists compliment each other nicely.
I’d be down for a whole album between these two!

• Christine

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“Parade” by Frontperson

When Frontperson released their debut album in 2018, I was really hoping the collaboration between Kathryn Calder (New Pornographers, Immaculate Machine) and Mark Hamilton (Woodpigeon) (also, no relation) would not be a one-off.

So I was very happy to hear the playful pop-tinged “Parade” last week, and even happier to see it was the first single and title track for a new album!

The album was recorded on Vancouver Island, right near where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were staying, though reportedly "attempts to get some guest vocals proved unsuccessful."

Parade will be out April 29 on Calder's own Oscar St. Records!

• Kirk

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“Lights Of The City” by Pink Mountaintops

It’s been eight years (yes, EIGHT) since we’ve had any new music from Pink Mountaintops, and quite frankly I thought about this every time the sunset hit the mountains on the North Shore…
But that all ends now!
”Lights of The City” is the first new track from the band (created by Black Mountain frontman Stephen McBean), and the new album, Peacock Pools, is set to be released on May 6th!

If you want to hear from McBean’s brain on what happens in the video below, here you go:
“Lincoln Heights hilltop sunrise riff’n’bang sparks spree of vengeance by disgruntled ex-bass player turned cyborg tinkertronic handsome man, Ken The Walnut.

Obsessed with Pink Mountaintops demise The Walnut’s sinister plot almost succeeds in a Don McClean sized wave of rock’n’roll destruction.

Thankfully, Emily Rose’s Phantom of The Park summoned superpowers save the band group combo and with some collective post-dress rehearsal concert magic the former low frequency fiend is defeated. Let the rock prevail!”

• Christine

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“Stay” by The Bros. Landreth

Last week The Bros. Landreth dropped a brand new single, “Stay”.

The lead single off their upcoming album Come Morning, Joey Landreth says "Stay playfully explores a difficult topic for artists — wanting to settle and put some roots down. Though written from the perspective of a touring musician, anyone who’s looking to shift gears can relate."

Have a listen below, and mark down May 13th for the album’s release.

• Kirk

Song of the Day: January 30, 2019 - "You Never Really Knew Me" by Memphis

Memphis is back!! It's been almost eight years since we last heard from the duo of Torquil Campbell (of Stars) and his long-time friend and collaborator Chris Dumont, but last year the band started an IndieGoGo page for a brand new album.

Now we get the first glimpse of that new album with the first single "You Never Really Knew Me", which is as gorgeous as you would hope/expect from the duo.
(Unless you were a supporter of the IndieGoGo, in which case you may have already heard it?)

Check it out below, and be sure to pick up the new album Leave With Me on February 8th!

Song of the Day: November 2, 2018 - "Are You With Me?" by Stars

Even though their last album, There Is No Love In Fluorescent Light, only came out a little over a year ago, Stars has not slowed down one bit with the release of yet another new song.

“Are You With Me?” was produced by their Broken Social Pal Kevin Drew, and is beautiful and heartbreaking as only Stars can be. Especially when you find out “the words to this song came about after Torq spent one liquidy night sending text messages to Gord Downie's old cell phone number.” says the band. “It’s very difficult not to miss that guy, and sometimes you just want to send a message into the ether and hope he receives it. We’ve always used songs to communicate with ghosts. If you can think of a better method, let us know. We have a lot of ghosts we want to talk to…"