Following the January 2026 release of “Let Me Go,” Montreal singer-songwriter Libby Ember returns with “News at the Party,” an energetic yet emotionally heavy indie-pop single that captures the dissonance of heartbreak unfolding in real time. Upbeat and instrumentally vibrant while lyrically raw, the track explores the quiet isolation of receiving life-changing news in a room full of people.

Inspired by a real experience, “News at the Party” reflects on the moment Ember learned that someone she cared about had begun seeing someone else and the emotional performance that followed. “For the rest of the night, I just had to pretend to be okay with that and act like I never cared in the first place,” she explains. “But the second I was alone that night, all I could do was start crying.”

While the song was written the same night after returning home from the party, its evolution stretched far beyond that initial moment. The recording process marked a shift in energy, bringing together a full band arrangement featuring jazz guitarist Baron Tymas and drummer Thomas Sauvé-Lafrance. The result is a layered and kinetic soundscape where flute, piano, guitar, and drums intertwine, mirroring the emotional overwhelm at the heart of the song.

What sets “News at the Party” apart is its contrast. While Ember’s songwriting often leans toward slower, introspective arrangements, the song embraces a more upbeat momentum that masks sadness beneath movement and melody. The approach reflects the song’s central theme: feeling deeply hurt while outwardly participating in celebration. “I really feel drawn to songs that feel like they have a hidden meaning,” Ember says. “The sad lyrics get masked by the upbeat instrumental, which feels true to the experience of being sad while surrounded by a party.”

“News at the Party” continues Libby Ember’s exploration of vulnerability, emotional contradiction, and the moments where private feelings collide with public spaces. Energetic yet dramatic, the single highlights her ability to balance candid storytelling with dynamic arrangements, turning personal heartbreak into something communal and cathartic.

“I feel proud of myself for having expressed those emotions,” she reflects. “Now I have a song and a memory.”

Scarlett Macfarlane returns with “Immortal,” a powerful and defiant pop-rock single built around themes of resilience, self-worth, and inner strength. Written as an empowering anthem, the song embraces the idea that while life’s challenges may knock us down, something essential within us remains unbreakable.

“I wanted to write a song that made you feel empowered and inspired,” Scarlett explains. “A song that made you want to put a fist in the air. A song that reminded you of your own strength and fortitude.” For Scarlett, immortality isn’t about living forever in a literal sense, but about the endurance of identity and creation. The idea that what we make and who we are continues long after moments of struggle pass. “Our essence is ultimately unkillable,” she says. “We have this crazy inner fortitude to come back swinging.”

The concept of immortality has long resonated with Scarlett, shaping both the song’s title and its central message. The track leans into bold, arena-ready energy, combining modern pop production with classic rock foundations to create something designed to feel larger than life. “Who comes out the gate with an arena-ready song and sings about all of us being immortal?” she laughs.

The song came together quickly, written during an unexpected moment of inspiration while waiting at the gym. Realizing she didn’t yet have a song in her catalogue that matched the empowering energy she gravitated toward while working out, Scarlett set out to write one herself. The recording process with Grammy–winning producer Scott Jacoby helped bring that vision fully into focus, particularly when the chorus was reworked to drop into half-time, giving it the impact she had imagined from the beginning. “I wanted that sort of Queen ‘We Will Rock You’ impact,” she says. “When we made that change, the chorus really landed the way I always imagined.”

Victoria, BC-based artist Jesse Roper returns with “Sweet Little Caroline,” an upbeat, infectious new single that blends blues swagger with a head-bobbing groove. Driven by feel-good energy and Roper’s signature guitar flair, the track transforms youthful memories and teenage romance into a catchy, knee-bouncing Americana anthem.

“I heard ‘Sweet Little Caroline’ as a stomp-clap blues boogie,” Roper explains. “While my producer Gus (van Go) heard it as a Beastie Boys inspired head-bob slowed down for the jeep people. We went all the way in that direction and I’m glad we did. Instead of just dancing to it with my arms, it gets to my knees and hips too.”

The story behind the song reaches back to Roper’s adolescence. Inspired by a relationship from that time, “Sweet little Caroline” captures the thrill of young love mixed with the awkward tension of parental disapproval. “I used to date this girl way back when I was a teenager,” he recalls. “Her dad thought I was no good whatsoever and he really went lengths to let me know. I’d get all excited to go pick her up for a night out and he’d put a damper on the excitement.”

While the relationship didn’t last, the memory stuck around long enough to spark the playful spirit of “Sweet Little Caroline.” The result is a song that pairs Roper’s blues-inflected Americana sound with a groove designed to get listeners moving. With its catchy rhythm, upbeat mood, and undeniable charm, the track captures the kind of feel-good momentum that defines Roper’s approach to songwriting.

Following the announcement of his new album, The Afterlife Sessions (out April 24th, 2026), and its first single, “At the Bridge,” Canadian singer-songwriter Allen Dobb shares “Lone Tree of Your Heart,” a contemplative, uplifting folk/roots single that captures the quiet longing and joy of connection to both place and memory. The track draws inspiration from Dobb’s forested home in British Columbia, and thoughts about returning to a life back on the family farm after years of being away.

“I live in a beautiful, forested area, and every day I walk in the forest, climb the hills, and go to favourite open spots where I can see the sky above and the valleys below,” Dobb explains. “The song came from a feeling of longing; wanting to be out on the road, touring more, but also enjoying being at home and finding contentment with a simple lifestyle.” In the song, that idea is held in the story of a young man who returns to take over his family ranch after going out into the world to find adventure.

What sets “Lone Tree of Your Heart” apart is its blending of acoustic bluegrass instrumentation and folk storytelling. The track features Dobb on guitar, joined by Ryland Moranz on banjo, Dan Fremlin on mandolin, Rob Becker on upright bass, and Trent Freeman on fiddle. “I knew very early that it was going to be a track suited perfectly to acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass,” Dobb notes. “ and that was our basic format for The Afterlife Sessions.” 

The lyrics are rich in imagery and emotion, drawing listeners into a world of quiet reflection and human connection. “My songs are often serious, but I really try to find the beauty in life’s experiences,” Dobb shares. “There is one prominent hill nearby called Lone Tree Hill.  It has a craggy, single tree on its top that is visible from nearly all directions. The lone tree is a great metaphor for feelings about longing, and loneliness.The idea of two lone trees merging into one in the shadows of the moonlight is one of love.

“Lone Tree of Your Heart” continues Allen Dobb’s exploration of beauty, landscape, and lived experience. Uplifting yet contemplative, the song invites listeners to feel the connection between human longing and the natural world.

TubeFreeks return with “Flower,” a gripping new single co-written with Sevendust guitarist Clint Lowery, blending muscular hard rock with modern melodic tension. The Frederick, Maryland band harness thick guitars, dynamic rhythms, and a vocal performance that balances grit with emotional clarity. The result is a track that hits hard without feeling rigid and stays melodic without losing its edge.

Driven by restless drums and tightly locked guitar lines, “Flower” carries the verses with simmering momentum, then bursts open in the chorus, trading tension for release in a way that feels both deliberate and earned. Frontman Paul van Valkenburgh delivers a performance that is raw yet precise, packing emotional weight without sacrificing power.

The collaboration with Lowery brings a sense of structure and polish, yet TubeFreeks remain unmistakably themselves. The songwriting avoids nostalgia, channeling post-grunge energy through a modern production lens that keeps the track firmly rooted in the present.

Accompanying the single is a striking music video directed by Tom Flynn. Saturated gold tones and sweeping natural landscapes frame a visual story of longing, distance, and pursuit, amplifying the song’s emotional resonance.

Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically? 

Hi, the song was a collaboration between us (Tubefreeks) and Clint Lowery of Sevendust.  The verse riff was very dark so we wanted a wide open chorus.  So you’ll notice the music is very simple behind the chorus.  Creating the lyrics, the word “Flower” just came to me right away, almost as if it’s a person, where the “watching me fall” would be what that person would do…. So, the chorus lyrics were there from the beginning and we knew we had a dual meaning song.  So we tried to add verse lyrics that vacillate between hopeful yet hurtful.  Hopefully listeners can also attach their own meaning to it.

What was the inspiration behind this video(visuals, storyline, etc.)? 

We chose to create the video for it as we felt it would be a great single.  The video producer, Tom Flynn, actually came up with the concept of the woman who is basically a ghost who is elusive and keeps turning into a flower.  As I’m walking through the park, I keep seeing what I think is a woman, but when I get to where she was, only a flower remains.  You’ll have to watch the video to see what happens at the end!! Ha!  The park Tom chose to film in worked out great!  The dead grass really brings the flowers to life as they stick out!

What was the process of making this video?

The video was filmed in two locations.  The outside portion with the ghostly lady was filmed at the park, which was located in Long Beach, NY.  The indoor portion was filmed near there and filmed on a sync wall.  The thing about the filming that makes it look so good is that Tom really knows how to film with the sync walls so you always see the proper background.

British indie songwriter Saul Damelyn continues to carve out a quietly compelling presence with the release of his second single and video, “We Broke the Rules.” Accompanied by a striking visual directed by collaborator Vanessa Brassey, the track offers a gentle yet assured step forward from his debut single “Museum of Love,” further introducing listeners to an artist grounded in sincerity and timeless songwriting craft.

At the heart of the new single is the luminous vocal performance of Phoebe White, whose voice brings a soft, ethereal dimension to the track. Her delivery complements Damelyn’s understated musical approach, allowing the song’s emotional core to unfold naturally. Rather than leaning on heavy production or overt dramatics, “We Broke the Rules” thrives in its restraint, emphasizing melody, lyrical clarity, and atmosphere.

The accompanying lyric video mirrors this sensibility. Brassey’s direction favors simplicity and fluidity, focusing on movement and tone rather than narrative complexity. The result is a tranquil visual experience that underscores the song’s themes—quiet rebellion, emotional honesty, and the courage to follow one’s instincts despite external expectations. It’s a visual extension of the music itself: unhurried, deliberate, and intimate.

Released via Damelyn Records, the single continues to establish a sonic identity that feels both classic and contemporary. The production, helmed by guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Paul A. Harvey, draws subtle inspiration from the warmth and craftsmanship of 1970s songwriting while maintaining a modern clarity. Acoustic textures, gentle arrangements, and an emphasis on vocal interplay create a soundscape that feels lived-in rather than manufactured.

“We Broke the Rules” also signals a broader artistic direction for Damelyn as he approaches the release of his debut album Kings, Queens and Dream Machines. The track suggests an artist increasingly comfortable with space and nuance—someone who trusts the strength of a well-written song to carry the listener without excess. There is a quiet confidence in the way the music unfolds, allowing each element to breathe.

Visually, the promotional imagery—including the black-and-white portrait captured by photographer Dave Green—reinforces this aesthetic. Damelyn appears composed and grounded, guitar in hand, embodying the same understated presence that defines his music. It’s a fitting representation of an artist who seems less interested in spectacle and more focused on connection.

As a follow-up to “Museum of Love,” this second release deepens the narrative Damelyn is building: one rooted in authenticity, collaboration, and a respect for the enduring power of song. With “We Broke the Rules,” he offers a reminder that sometimes the most impactful music comes not from grand gestures, but from quiet conviction and thoughtful execution.

With momentum building and a debut album on the horizon, Saul Damelyn is steadily positioning himself as a distinctive voice in the indie landscape—one that values feeling over flourish, and substance over noise.

Saul dove into the video, below:

Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically? 

This is a song about following your heart. It’s about doing what you want to do, not following what people think you should do. Or what you think people want you to do. It might resonate with people who reach a particular stage of life. If other people  say it’s time to settle down, to accept things as you are, and those are the rules, then we broke the rules. Not in a selfish or self-serving way, but because it’s time to get back in touch with your passion, your dreams. “We threw away our old things / and made room for something real”. But it’s for all ages of people – it has equally resonated with young people I know, and will hopefully resonate with others.

What was the inspiration behind this video(visuals, storyline, etc.)? 

This is a stripped back lyric video, very different to the first single Museum of Love.  The idea was that the words are simple and powerful, and should carry the video.  What it has is the ocean, in different shades of dark and light, and always with daylight shining in from above.

What was the process of making this video?

Vanessa came up with the idea of the ocean, and that it would be a stripped back lyric video. We discussed whether to put her trade mark swimmers (for which she is known as an artist)  in there. We decided against. We felt the words needed space. Vanessa came up with the lettering, and what was originally a dark sea with light aqua words. And the way it shimmers in the sea, the movement of some of the words coming towards you. When i saw the first draft we then had a process of refinement, to create movement between the light and dark seas, with the change of font from dark to light aqua, and then that thick green effect in the chorus. The goal was to make the lyric stand-out, and to catch the viewer’s attention with the words. I hope you like it !

Discover more of Saul Damelyn here:

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