Hailing from Toronto, ON, Puma June is an “emerging Canadian artist you need to hear” (Exclaim!). The pop/R&B multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter makes music that is a unique blend of pop, funk, hip-hop, and R&B – a genre-bending sound that is both nostalgic and distinctive to the listener. With lots on the horizon for 2024, including being selected as one of this year’s RBCxMusic ‘First Up’ Emerging Artists, and selected for the EquityxProduction Program through SOCAN Foundation, Puma June is the embodiment of a self-made artist and is a rising voice in the Canadian pop/R&B scene. 

In a world of hyper curated personal image/brand, her introspective new single, “Never Satisfied,” speaks to dissatisfaction that many of us can feel and relate to. After starting work as a nurse right at the beginning of the pandemic, Puma June began to find her individual voice in music for the first time. So many of us go down a certain lifepath because of fear or other people’s expectations of us. As she continues to shift more and more toward music full time, she feels more and more satisfied. The song’s raw lyrics are balanced by a musical sense of power and calm control.

I spent so much time being afraid of music and what my life might look like if I pursued it and this song is a reminder to me that nothing matters as long as I am doing what makes me happy. It is a reminder of how far I have come in prioritizing my dreams and joy above all else. – Puma June

At just 16 years of age, Summer Bennett from Paradise, NL, is emerging as one of Newfoundland’s most formidable talents. Summer won the 2021 Newfound Talent Contest from MusicNL and is a three time Arts and Letters Award winner. She is also a multi MusicNL and ECMA nominated artist.

Signed with Scilly Cove Records, Summer worked remotely with multi-Grammy Award winning producer Greg Wells between Newfoundland and Los Angeles on her debut One Thousand Fahrenheit EP. “Working with Greg has been a dream,” says Summer. “He has worked with the biggest stars in the world and I feel very lucky to have him produce my songs. It’s like he can read my mind!”

The EP’s focus track, “Just A Phase,” is about the toxicity and negative aspects that social media influence and the internet can bring. Deep lyrics cover a unique teenage perspective backed by a modern pop sound. 

Multicultural singer-songwriter Raphaela’s song, “Be My Hero,” stemmed from a feeling of wanting to finally start taking care of herself and placing boundaries where in the past she wouldn’t have. The song represents Raphaela’s journey over the last few years of  striving to become a version of herself that she’s proud of –  Someone who  says “no,” who works towards achieving her dreams unapologetically, and who does all that while remaining kind and authentic to others, but most importantly, towards herself. 

Sometimes it’s harder to place boundaries with those you love than those you hate. As a recovering people-pleaser, oftentimes I’ve sacrificed many of my own values and guiding core principles for fear of losing those I love. I’ve learned that placing boundaries means showing people what you will and will not accept, and ultimately, this always serves the relationship for the better and steers it towards the right direction it’s meant to go in, whatever that may be. – Raphaela

Nick Faye is a songwriter from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, living on Treaty 4 Territory. His new song, “Lonely,” explores themes around healthy and good love: approaching a relationship with intentions of trying to be a good partner, encouraging healthy communication, and trying to make your partner feel safe and loved. It was written for everyone working hard to be a good partner, and trying their best to help their partners feel safe to ask for what they want. Reciprocity is a major theme of this song, and the upcoming album it will hail from. 

I was inspired to write this song by my dating experiences in my mid-30’s. I noticed a common trend among people I would meet, where partners didn’t always feel comfortable sharing what their needs were and what they truly were looking for in a relationship. I was working hard to be a considerate and reciprocal partner, and most of that initial work was trying to make people feel safe and comfortable to actually share what they truly needed/wanted to flourish, instead of what they thought they should be doing or what society tells them they should want. – Nick Faye

The solo shoegaze/rock project of Sufian M., numb talking’s debut album, dead leaves and all, is a loud and psychedelic diary of fatigue, adult life changes and the joys that can root even in the toughest times. Downtuned guitars, manic delays and meditative lyrics invite the listener to feel the exhaustion of grief and acceptance, the lightness of burdens dropped, and the mischief of madness.

Incorporating glitching and degrading delays on vox and guitar highlighted single, “walk with u,” came about from a heavy yet playful conversation and walk with a friend. The structure of the song had been conceived via voice notes in the woods. 

The music explores the electric guitar’s timbres and potential to vocally express without word, setting tension/connection between the spoken and unspoken. from overwhelmingly distorted arrangements to dreamier reprieves, the instruments play with energy and fatigue among layers of synthesis, distortion, and expression of the voice and its disfigurement.