For Jeff Beadle, the reality of working at the speed of inspiration means writing in solitary unromantic spaces, casting an inescapable sadness to his music. Personal evolution and the unconventional wisdom cultivated from extensive touring in Europe, Asia, and Canada, was the catalyst for his new era of dark alternative pop. His unwavering honesty and introspection continue to be the backbone of his lyrics, acquired from years as a folk singer-songwriter.

Recently sharing a bill with Tokyo Police Club and Hollerado, Beadle’s music naturally leans into the current genre-bending climate. Steeped in anguish and an edge that’s reminiscent of the alternative influences he was raised on, is Beadle’s latest single “Sometimes.” He cultivated inspiration from profound situations that had a massive impact on the shaping of his life. In grieving, he came to terms with his own mortality as he searched for his place in the world. 

Pearls & Bones is an alternative hip-hop band based out of Toronto and Montreal. The trio write and perform music inspired by discordant influences, from metalcore and PC music to backpack rap and pop-punk. Since forming in 2012, the band has released five EPs and two full-length albums. Their third record, Cool Uncles, culminates a two-year period of technical and aesthetic development just dropped on May 28.

Focus track, “Sawed in Half,” was originally inspired by the movie Kill Bill and the contrast of Uma Thurman spraying viscera and pulling out eyeballs paired with a psychedelic colour scheme. The song ironically pairs some pretty horrific lines and gnarly concepts with a radio ready, power pop melody. 

As a project, Graeme Cornies’ Kodiak Arcade is a hi-fi homage to the lo-fi sounds of the past. It’s a set of sonic landscapes, where the humanity of the organic performances are intertwined with sounds that can only be created by modern tech. 

Cornies teamed up with Joshua Van Tassel (Great Lake Swimmers, KIRTY, Dream Date Studios) for brand new single “Dumb,” about the kind of uncomplicated, unconditional love that dogs and babies give away so freely. A tribute to non-verbal friendships as well as the kind of love that often makes us want to abandon our adult selves, and get lost in mindless play. 

How can we refresh our capacity for wonder while the supersaturation of endless change dulls our senses? FHANG—the upcoming debut collaborative album between Mishka Stein and Samuel Woywitka—channels the energy of pandemic-induced uncertainty into thunderous grooves and cinematic soundscapes with the gravity to absorb your entire attention.The duo’s new single, “Something Real,” showcases an explosive chemistry and the musicians’ commitment to exploring unexpected textures and grooves. The immersive rhythm and textures invite listeners to leap inside to a shared landscape of awe. 

The song has been paired with a surreal visual.

Toronto born artist NOA’s music blends vibrant, catchy melodies with resonant emotional themes – from relationships to female empowerment and self-realization. In just over a year, NOA has garnered over two million streams on Spotify worldwide, and has just shared her debut Honeymoon EP on June 25th.

New single, “Alright With Me,” is a chill, feel-good pop track about meeting someone who starts to show you what love should be like, starting to fall in love and hoping that they stick around. 

Malcolm Burn first made his musical mark in the ‘80s with Boys Brigade who scored a top 20 hit in Canada. Next, Malcolm connected with Daniel Lanois to record and produce Yellow Moon with the Neville Brothers and Oh Mercy for Bob Dylan. Stretching out on his own into the ‘90s, Malcolm produced the landmark album Living With The Law by Chris Whitely, as well as American Caesar for Iggy Pop and Human Wheels with John Mellencamp. His production for Emmylou Harris’ Red Dirt Girl earned him a Grammy award.

Now, he’s gearing up to release his own collection of material, with a renewed enthusiasm for creating unusual and evocative sonic landscapes filled with continuing left turns. His musical roots follow folk and classical genres up through rock, country, and experimental music. 

“Wand’rin’ Star” is a song for the wandering heart, the restless soul who gets itchy feet when they’re tied down in one place for too long. 

His contemporary version of “Wand’rin’ Star” from the film Paint Your Wagon is western musical music for the new century, with his resonant vocals at the forefront.