Zanski’s latest single, “Canines,” is a haunting exploration of memory and self-doubt. With its melancholic mood and driving indie energy, the track captures the feeling of being caught in between moments—reminiscing on the past, but unsure whether those memories are truly accurate. The song’s lush instrumentation and experimental production reflect Zanski’s ability to blend indie, alternative, and emotional undertones in a captivating way.
The title, “Canines,” plays on the imagery of baring teeth, a symbolic representation of confronting emotions and memories. With its raw, questioning tone, the song contemplates the idea of remembering an event or feeling with uncertainty—like a cliffhanger that leaves you wondering whether the memory is truly complete.
A standout element of the track is Zanski’s unique mixing choices—quiet, intimate vocals pushed through tape saturation to create a warm, almost whispered sound. The song’s pulsating guitar riffs, which were processed through an array of pedals, add to the track’s layered, textured feel. Zanski also employed an alternate guitar tuning created by a close friend, which provided an unconventional foundation for the song’s composition.
Vancouver-based modern-rock artist Charlie PS is back with her fiery new single, “Mouthpiece.” The track combines gritty guitars, confident vocals, and Charlie’s signature ‘play on words’ lyricism to deliver a satirical yet empowering anthem for the digital age.
“Mouthpiece” oozes fierce, alternative-rock energy while offering a nod of defiant satire to today’s increasingly opinionated and vocally indulgent crowd.
“Mouthpiece” is an homage to everyone who has ever given unsolicited advice or yelled out their opinion in a room full of people who just don’t want to hear it. The world feels like a noisy place these days, and in 2025, I’m setting boundaries with those who just can’t keep their thoughts to themselves. – Charlie PS
East Coast storyteller Robert Thomas and his talented duo, the sessionmen, release their heartfelt new single, “Beside You.” A poignant reflection on the challenges of life on the road and the deep longing for home, the track melds folk, Americana, and roots influences into an intimate and deeply relatable narrative.
“Beside You” captures the ache of separation and the profound gratitude for the one you love, offering listeners a tender yet powerful reminder of what truly matters. Produced by Catherine MacLellan, co-written with renowned musician Ray Legere, and set to a beautiful piano accompaniment performed by Terra Spencer, the song’s lyrical depth and haunting melody have made it a Live favourite, evoking memories and singalongs with audiences far and wide.
I wrote “Beside You” in the quiet of a hotel room, longing for home after years of life on the road. The chorus came to me in the middle of the night, fully formed: “To lie beside you, that is heaven, and there’s no place on the earth I’d rather be.” This song is a love letter to my wife and a reflection on the realization that no matter how hard we work or how far we go, the true reward is being with the person you love. – Robert Thomas
Ian North, the acclaimed Canadian folk-rock artist, returns with a spellbinding new single, “Antarctica.” Inspired by the harrowing tales of polar explorers who risked everything to venture into Earth’s most unforgiving terrain, the track explores themes of courage, isolation, and the human drive to endure.
Produced by Chris Gartner, “Antarctica” weaves Americana roots with ambient soundscapes, resulting in a modern and immersive take on North’s signature “Fallen-Angel Folk” style. The single also features stunning three-part harmonies by North’s wife, Jennifer Claveau, marking her return to music after more than a decade away.
The song is a cinematic journey from its opening chords, conjuring vivid imagery of icy tundras and sun-scorched deserts. North’s lyrics juxtapose stark landscapes with the inner struggles of the human spirit. The arrangement crescendos with echoing pedal steel and soaring harmonies, delivering a cathartic conclusion that underscores the resilience required to navigate life’s most challenging terrains.
“Antarctica” represents the courage it takes for all of us to face the unknown. It’s a reminder of the fragility of life and the quiet perseverance of the human spirit. This song draws on those tragic yet courageous stories of polar explorers and reflects the struggles we all face in our own lives. – Ian North
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.
Modern Mystery 
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