Hailing from Beamsville, Ontario, singer-songwriter Riley Michaels is known for his soulful voice, guitar mastery, and heartfelt composition. He has carved a unique space in the Canadian music scene by blending pop, blues, and adult contemporary sounds with an emotive touch.
His latest single, “Story of My Life,” is a raw, introspective exploration of creative struggle and personal growth. The song was born out of a period of artistic stagnation for Riley, as he candidly reflects on feeling uninspired and unsure how to reignite his creativity. “Story of My Life” captures this universal experience in a stripped-down acoustic arrangement that’s calming, chill, and perfect for a rainy-day playlist. Unlike the arena-ready, high-energy anthems Riley is known for, this track takes a more subdued approach. Recorded with minimal production, “Story of My Life” embraces imperfection, featuring raw, one-take performances that mirror the honest, straightforward lyricism.
Animals in Denial has never been one to follow convention, and “Operator” is proof of that – a track that pulses with industrial grit, synth-heavy nostalgia and raw emotions.
Now with its newly released music video, “Operator” is something of a cinematic descent into a digital dystopia, where reality warps and emotions twist under the glow of neon lights.
Watch here:
This video is truly gripping with its unsettling and almost nightmarish atmosphere. Christian Imes delivers a haunting performance, as he struggles against unseen forces and finds himself bound and trapped not just physically, but emotionally too.
His desperate attempts to break free mirror the song’s themes of attachment, then detachment, and the realization that love can be just another illusion. Flickering images of his torment intensify which create a sense of claustrophobia that reflects the song’s core.
But it’s not just the human struggle that makes Operator such a striking watch.
The presence of a cobra snake, and flickering frames adds a hypnotic sense of danger. The reptile becomes a symbol of both seduction and control, reinforcing the feeling that this world is a trap. The snake’s eerie presence also suggests that temptation, fear and fate are intertwined in this world of distorted love and shattered connections.
The song itself is born from a beat that haunted Imes since the age of 14 after watching The Matrix. Originally pieced together using a lite version of Ableton Live and a handful of drum samples, Operator took on a new life when Steven Seibold (Hate Dept/Pigface) stepped in for additional production and mixing.
His expertise has helped to sharpen the track’s cold, metallic edges while subtle tweaks like a reworked third verse and unexpected backing vocals in the chorus have pushed the song into new territory. These enhancements have also worked to give it a chilling and almost prophetic resonance.
The final result is a high voltage, emotionally charged cyperpunk anthem that carried the sinister energy of Nine Inch Nails with the pulse of The Prodigy and that brooding intensity of Marilyn Manson.
The video only amplifies this energy, immersing viewers in a visually striking world that feels like a cross between a fever dream and a digital prison. The erratic camera work, rapid cuts, and neon-drenched visuals creating a sense ofdisorientation, as if the viewer is trapped in the same transmission loop as the protagonist.
With stunning visuals and a chilling atmosphere, “Operator” is truly a story of loss, longing and that crushing realization that some connections exist only as echoes in the void.
Toronto-based alternative metal act Monstrosa unveils their emotionally gripping and genre-defying new single, “778,” a guitar-driven alt-rock anthem that explores themes of self-empowerment, mental health, and resilience. Catchy yet heavy, the track encapsulates Monstrosa’s signature blend of metal riffs, emo rock, and melodic vocals while showcasing frontwoman Lauren Pryce’s deeply personal lyricism.
“778” serves as a reflection of Pryce’s transformative journey through her first experience living alone. The track explores the duality of navigating external dangers and internal battles, turning her initial frustrations into an introspective dialogue about self-love, artistry, and perseverance.
The official music video for “778” marks Monstrosa’s first foray into visual storytelling. Directed by Tiffany Wice and featuring handmade masks by art director Brittany Rose, the 70s-inspired horror aesthetic amplifies the song’s themes of self-confrontation and empowerment. This visual shift also introduces the band’s new theatrical stage personas, with the masks becoming a staple of their live performances.
1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically?
“778” was written about my first solo apartment. I started with a guitar riff and was fooling around with vocals when I came up with the repeating intro line “don’t follow me home, I live alone”. But as I continued to write, the lyrics started to shift in perspective from the fear of strangers (and about my lived experiences of danger from said strangers) to the fear of myself. My mental health history and diagnosis lent my healthcare practitioners to believe I would not be able to live alone. But despite preconceived notions, living alone ended up being the most empowering time in my life. I learned to embrace my inner demons and that experiencing emotions, even the extremely intense ones, was a safe thing to do.
I chose to visualize “778” specifically because it represents a shift both in sound and in appearance for the band. My band is now made up of mythical demons as I am embracing a more theatrical and metal persona going forward. As well, the new EP was written while living at the apartment that “778” is about, so it felt like such an organic decision to create a video for it.
2.What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
There were two huge inspirations behind the video; my obsession with visualizing my mental health disorder, and director Tiffany Wice’s love of horror films. Tiff and I had been talking for almost two years about doing a music video for Monstrosa. When I emailed her the demo of “778”, she sent me an absolutely brilliant music video pitch and we moved quickly from there.
Monstrosa’s name is inspired by a cricket I studied in undergrad called Cyphoderris monstrosa. “Monstrosa” in latin means monstrous, and I have always loved the idea of reclaiming monstrosity, especially as a queer woman with a highly stigmatized mental health disorder (BPD). Tiff’s talent and film-making abilities are extensive, but she has always had a love for the horror genre, writing/producing/directing many horror shorts of her own. I was excited when she approached me with this campy, 70s-slasher inspired, cinematic video as it portrayed my complex relationship to myself so beautifully. The campy tone took a rather serious song topic (being a danger to myself) and made it theatrical, approachable, and fun for viewers. I want my disorder to be demystified and destigmatized. I love getting to play with a band of my demons as it represents the self-empowerment I have taken my whole life to develop. The video also represents a key shift in my artist image as I now play live with the same demons you see in the video.
3.What was the process of making this video?
The first (and one of my favourite) steps was creating the masks for my bandmates to wear. Art director Brittany Rose conceptualized and handmade the four masks you see in the video. We brainstormed what the different demons would look like, using some of Monstrosa’s album artwork by Emma Embur as an inspiration. The bassist’s mask is inspired by the single art for our song “Youth”, the drummer’s mask inspired by Noh theater and my love of insects, and the guitarist’s mask inspired by the girl on the single art for our song “Axes”, who is a recurring character in Monstrosa’s visuals. Britt’s attention to detail and ingenious execution of the masks was a huge part of the video’s success.
Tiff reached out to cinematographer Emily J. Zhang who we were lucky enough to have on the project as the Director of Photography. The two of them assembled a team of 15 incredibly talented individuals for two days of shooting, one of the days being in my childhood home! Tiff not only directed and produced the video, but also handled all the post-production and edited the video beautifully.
With their debut single, “Tell Me All Your Secrets, Pt. 2,” Halifax band Strange Plants push the boundaries of the psychedelic rock genre. Seamlessly fusing a Gap Band-inspired rhythm section with biting rock vocals, the song delivers an energetic yet introspective exploration of fractured relationships and hidden truths.
Produced by Robbie Crowell (Sturgill Simpson, Deer Tick), “Tell Me All Your Secrets, Pt. 2” embodies Strange Plants‘ commitment to blending retro tones with modern sensibilities. Recorded at the iconic Creative Workshop Studio in Nashville, the track’s lush analog production showcases the band’s dedication to creating music that feels both timeless and forward-thinking.
This song was born out of a relationship with someone who didn’t open up a lot and seemed to lead a double life. The frustration of not having any answers. When it ended it inspired this song; the idea being now that it’s over you may as well “Tell Me….”
2.What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)? Our friend Aaron Martin of the band Okey Dokey is an awesome artist and we just let him cook. We think he nailed it.
3.What was the process of making this video?
Shared the music with Aaron and told him what the tune was about. He really did a great job of making it feel like a fantastical journey; searching for answers and how our imaginations can run wild.
Edgar Breau, the legendary Hamilton-based artist and founder of cult 70’s psych/proto-punk band Simply Saucer, returns with a brand-new single, “Cornpone the King of Jive.” This track merges the gritty charm of southern-fried rock with the bite of Breau’s literary and musical influences, resulting in a rollicking yet darkly humorous commentary on populist leaders, lovable outlaws, and the morally duplicitous figures who hold the public’s fascination.
Written and recorded in Montreal at Dany Laj’s Lala Pop Shoppe Studio, “Cornpone the King of Jive” boasts a raw, stomping sound that evolved from a fingerstyle acoustic tune into a monster rock anthem. Featuring Breau on vocals and guitar alongside Dany Laj, bassist Jeanette Dowling, and drummer Alex Pauze, the track delivers a snarling, frenetic arrangement punctuated by Breau and Laj’s dueling guitars.
The song’s title is an exploration of contradictions—Cornpone, representing the humble, southern comfort food, paired with the “King of Jive,” the smart, folksy figure who commands attention and stirs trouble. This contrast mirrors the moral complexity of populist figures, as Breau critiques their charismatic yet duplicitous nature.
Rogue Rising’s debut single, “CRUSH,” is an electrifying anthem of defiance and self-empowerment, driven by fiery guitar leads, a hook-laden chorus, and an unmistakable edge. Helmed by Rowan “Rogue” Picard, the band’s fearless singer, songwriter, and lead guitarist, “CRUSH” is both a raw reaction to betrayal and a celebration of resilience.
The track was produced by five-time JUNO Award–winner and Glass Tiger founding member Michael Hanson, who helped elevate Rogue’s uncompromising vision. With its sharp blend of rock, pop punk, and melodic solos, “CRUSH” captures a sound that is as relatable as it is rebellious.
Written during a deeply personal time, “CRUSH” channels the frustration of being underestimated and turns it into fuel for overcoming negativity. The result is a cathartic, guitar-driven track with a message that resonates universally: rise above, embrace your power, and never let anyone dull your fire.
Modern Mystery 