A concept album is a record that has a narrative, theme, or story that links all the songs together in a unified way. Green Day’s American Idiot qualifies as such a record.

Dig into rock history, and you’ll find plenty more: The Wall by Pink Floyd, both Tommy and Quadrophenia by The Who, The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper, Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, and My Chemical Romance and The Black Parade are all examples. But who was the first to release a concept album?

If we’re going to be honest, it was Frank Sinatra in 1955. That’s when he released In the Wee Small Hours, which features songs about that particular time of day. But hang on. We can also make a case for folksinger Woodie Guthrie.

He released a collection of songs entitled Dust Bowl Ballads, which featured accounts of Depression-era America. The year was 1940.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

After a couple of weeks off–vacation, you know?–I’m back with New Music Friday. Because we’re in the dog days of summer, things are a little light when it comes to album releases, something that will continue for another week. After that, we can expect plenty of new records for the fall.

Singles

1. Gurriers, Nothing Happens Twice (PIAS)

Gurriers, the fierce young band out of Dublin, will release their second album, Nobody’s Coming to Save You, on September 24. This track was inspired by Waiting for Godot, the 195o Samuel Beckett play that everyone studies in school at one time or another. Note the lyrical theme of the “dead internet.” Death to the bots!

2. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Kill for the Steel ((P) Doom)

The unbelievably prolific Gizzard crew are going electronic with their 28th(!!!) album, Alien Metal (release date TBA). This isn’t entirely unexpected since the band has been dabbling in EDM sounds for a while now. However, the timing of this single–which they describe as “industrial techno” was a surprise to fans.

3. Mastodon, In the Ruins (Loma Vista)

The metal kings of Atlanta will release their ninth studio album, Marrow Deep, in two weeks. This third advance single tells of the impact of Hurricane Helene, a devastating 2024 storm that flooded the home of vocalist and bassist, Troy Sanders. Everything was destroyed and the family was forced to find a new place to live for two years.

4. Royal Blood, Ten Over Ten (Warner)

Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher are about to return with the first Royal Blood album in about three years, which will make their fifth overall. It’s still a ways off–the release date for Dead Company is November 13–but the band says this single was written with the stage in mind and that they’ll be performing it starting right about…now.

5. The Sheepdogs, Bad For Your Health (Right On Records/Orchard)

If you’re concerned about screen time and your digital addiction, this new single from Saskatoon’s Sheepdogs will feel pretty familiar. Keep Out the Storm, the band’s new album, is also available now.

Albums

1. Kiwi Jr., Blowin’ Up (K Records)

Some brand new Canadian indie courtesy of this Toronto four-piece. This is their fourth album.

2. Phoebe Bridgers, Lost Weekend (Dead Oceans)

A couple of advance from this album (her first solo record in six years) have been long-standing earworms in my head. Much of the album is highly personal with songs that explore some of her past relationships. There’s even a song that describes the time she hid in a bathroom at a music festival because she was too afraid to come out. Pay attention to the lyrics on this record for maximum effect.

3. Marilyn Manson, One Assassination Under God: Chapter 2 (Nuclear Blast)

Even though he’s still dealing with court cases stemming from sexual misconduct allegations, Manson is back making music and touring with his Freaks on Parade roadtrip with Rob Zombie. If you’re an artwork person, notice that the cover was painted by Manson and relates to Ingmar Bergman’s 1957 film, The Seventh Seal.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Here’s another story of a music festival gone horribly, horribly wrong.

I take you back to June 1970, for the Celebration of Life Festival, which was held on a farm in Louisiana. Promoters called it the South’s answer to Woodstock, which had happened a year earlier. The lineup included Pink Floyd, Ike & Tina Turner, the Beach Boys, and BB King. Local authorities wanted none of this, and two days before the show was supposed to start, cops moved in and shut everything down.

This left thousands of people with nothing to do and nowhere to go. Some sat in the field in the blistering heat and humidity. Others found abandoned farmhouses. There was no food, water, sanitary facilities, or medical care. Two people drowned while escaping the heat in the South Louisiana River, while others were injured in fights with police.

The Celebration of Life Festival of 1970 was a total disaster but has been largely forgotten. Good.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

New polling from Liaison Strategies shows that current Mississauga mayor Carolyn Parrish and former mayor Bonnie Crombie are neck-and-neck going into this October’s municipal election.

Liaison’s survey showed that Parrish and Crombie would each receive 35 per cent of the vote among decided and leaning voters, with current city councillors Dipika Damerla and Alvin Tedjo trailing well behind in third and fourth place, respectively.

Parrish and Crombie are tied at 26 per cent each among all voters, followed by Damerla at 13 per cent and Tedjo at nine per cent. The rest of voters marked their response as “undecided.”

Mississaugans also seem to have a pessimistic outlook on the future for their city. Forty-six per cent of respondents said the city is moving in the wrong direction, compared with 32 per cent that said the opposite.

Election flashpoints

The first signs of a chippy race came weeks ago, when Parrish and Crombie entered into some X beef over AI data centres.

Mississauga city council voted unanimously to approve the creation of an interim control bylaw that would put a one-year moratorium on data centre development in the city. Since the vote was unanimous, Parrish did not cast a ballot, but did express concerns about losing tax revenue.

Crombie took issue with Parrish not voting, saying the city is “drifting” under her leadership. Parrish responded, saying “the chair of a democratically conducted meeting is mandated not to influence the outcome of the debate” and that Crombie “abandoned our city.”

https://x.com/BonnieCrombie/status/2082996670522904815

Beyond the data centre debate, Liaison principal David Valentin said Mississaugans are focused on a broad range of issues.

“Affordability is narrowly first at 19 per cent, taxes are at 17 per cent, housing is at 16 per cent, and crime and traffic are both at 13 per cent,” Valentin said. “Mississauga voters are not focused on one issue; they are looking at the cost of living, property taxes, housing, congestion, and public safety all at once.”

Valentin said all signs point to an unstable race. “This is a race with a vulnerable incumbent, a familiar former mayor, and a lot of undecided voters,” Valentin said.

“Parrish is not out of contention, but the numbers show she has work to do. Crombie remains competitive, Damerla has meaningful support and the city’s negative mood makes the next phase of the race much less predictable.”

Liaison surveyed a random sample of 1,000 Mississauga residents from Aug. 11 to Aug. 12, 2026. For the total sample, the margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The margin is higher for sub-samples. Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Follow along with Susan Hay and Executive Chef Massimo Capra, as he prepares a tasty Greek Potato Dip.

Ingredients
2 medium Potatoes, peeled and cubed
6/7 Garlic Cloves, minced
¼ cup Almond blanched
½ oz White Vinegar to taste
1 Lemon, Zest & Juice
5 oz Olive Oil
1 tbsp Flatleaf Parsley, chopped
Salt & Pepper to taste

For the Garnish
¼ cup Kalamata Olives, pitted
1 tsp Dill, chopped
1 oz Olive Oil

Instructions
Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, drain the water and pass through a sieve. In a small pan
place the garlic in a little olive oil and over low heat cook until the garlic starts frying – this will
mellow the garlic flavor. Use a stick blender to puree the garlic and the almond in the vinegar and
lemon juice.

Place potatoes in a bowl, add the garlic blend and whip with a whisk incorporating the rest of
the olive oil, add chopped parsley and taste for correct seasoning.

Place the skordalia in a plate, spread and leave a cavity in the middle, top with the kalamata, dill
and olive oil.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

CALGARY – The B.C. Lions continued to dig themselves out of an early-season hole with a third straight win Thursday.

The Lions, who lost three straight to start the season, held off the Calgary Stampeders 30-26 to get to a record of 4-5 in the CFL’s West Division.

“We’re trending upwards, for sure,” Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke said. “We’ve got lots of things to clean up, which is a good thing. We haven’t peaked quite yet.”

The Stampeders (4-6) lost a fourth game this season by four points or less.

Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. and league-leading rusher Dedrick Mills both left the game in the fourth quarter with injuries and didn’t return.

“Both are going to be like head injuries,” Stampeders head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson said. “Those can last a long time. You don’t know when they’re going to be healthy, but for all of us, we just want to rally and find a way to win a game, a close game.”

Calgary threatened from B.C.’s 10-yard line with half a minute to play, but a T.J. Lee interception on a Josh Love throw sealed the victory for the visitors.

Rourke, who suited up for second game since missing almost three because of an injury in his non-throwing arm, rushed for a touchdown and threw two more to Keon Hatcher Sr.

The league’s Most Outstanding Player in 2025 amassed 301 passing yards on the night and was intercepted once.

Rourke reached 100 career touchdown passes to become the second Canadian quarterback to do so in the CFL after Russ Jackson (239).

The Lions were minus-1 in rushing after the first quarter, but finished with 152 yards on the ground, including Zander Horvath’s rushing touchdown for his team-leading eighth.

“The defence keeps us in that game in that first half,” Lions head coach Buck Pierce said. “We were able to stick to our game plan, mix some things up in the second half and still be able to run the football.

“To be able to run the football effectively you’ve got to do it multiple times. We popped some big ones in the second half and we were able to generate some momentum.”

Sean Whyte kicked a field goal from 45 yards and three convert points for the Lions, whose next opponent is the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-2) on Aug. 23.

Erik Brooks caught a touchdown pass and Quincy Vaughn rushed for his eighth major for the Stampeders, who headed into a bye week.

Damien Alford caught a two-point convert in front of an announced 17,076 at McMahon Stadium.

Jude McAtamney kicked field goals from 55, 13, 29 and 44 yards, but missed a late try from 39 yards out.

The Lions led 23-18 early in the fourth quarter when Adams, who spent parts of three seasons with the Lions from 2022 to 2024, had his head slammed into the turf when he was tackled on a six-yard carry. He walked to the medical tent on the sidelines, but didn’t return to the game.

“You never like to see anyone hurt, whether it’s a quarterback or any other position,” said Rourke. “You want to be able to play against the best. To me, he’s playing at the highest level right now.

“You hate to see someone go down, especially someone that you know. I wish him nothing but the best in his recovery and hopefully, it’s nothing serious.”

Calgary led 18-13 at halftime, but poor red-zone play hurt them early as they settled for field goals from inside of 20 yards twice in the first quarter.

With Love drawing in for Adams, the Stampeders pushed back with Vaughn’s go-ahead, short-yardage touchdown and Alford’s two-point conversion for a 26-23 lead with just over three minutes to play.

But Calgary wasted a recovered fumble on B.C.’s 30-yard line on the subsequent kickoff. The Stampeders didn’t convert it into a touchdown and McAtamney missed from 39 yards out.

Rourke’s second TD throw to Hatcher and Lee’s defensive heroics kept the Lions in the win column.

“We’re just trusting in each other and trusting in our process,” Rourke said. “There’s only so much you can control so you have to trust that the other unit is going to be able to do their job.

“Offensively we knew that the only thing that was stopping us from moving the ball was us. We knew if we had the right opportunity, we had enough time we could go down and score.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

B.C.’s housing minister is finally addressing questions about the costs of operating a Vancouver SRO for one tenant.

The Luugat, or the former Howard Johnson Hotel on Vancouver’s Granville Strip, is still operating a month and a half after the province promised to close it and relocate residents outside of the entertainment district.

One staff member is serving a lone tenant who previously told Global News he has a seizure disorder and requires a building with an elevator and a unit the same size or larger than his current room.

Global News asked B.C.’s housing minister how she justifies spending $101,000 in July to keep the 110-room building open for one person.

Christine Boyle said she shares the public’s frustration on this issue and that the government is working to close the building down.

“The situation at the Luugat has not been ideal for a long time, which is why we’ve been taking action to close the building down and why we’ve moved more than 80 residents from the building to other housing, with one remaining,” she said.

When asked how the money was spent, Boyle said the building is a large one, that until very recently was housing a lot of people, which is why the costs to maintain it are high.

Boyle provided a similar answer last month.

“We’re working closely with this individual and there are specific needs that I can’t go into, of course, for privacy reasons, but we are close,” she said.

Downtown Van has written another letter to the provincial government, requesting a timeline on the closure of the Luugat and two other publicly-owned SROs — the St. Helen’s Hotel and Granville Villa.

“To not provide clear information, it’s unacceptable,” Downtown Van president and CEO, Jane Talbot, said.

“We have an urgent and immediate crisis on Granville Street.

“The current housing does not support the needs of the people and we see that play out on the streets and yeah, it’s frustrating.”

Boyle said the province is close to closing the Luugat and more than 80 tenants have been successfully relocated into good and stable housing.

However, four former Luugat residents moved across the street to Granville Villa, even though the government promised to relocate tenants outside of the entertainment strip.

“I’m saddened by that because across the street from the Luugat is no better than the Luugat,” Talbot said.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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You may have scrolled across this viral “criss-cross” chair in recent years. Gloriously cushy in appearance, these pieces stand out from your standard, narrow-width designs. This big and tall office chair takes the concept even further with an extra wide seat, flip-up armrests, reclining back, footrest and soft teddy-fleece upholstery. The chair currently has a 4.2-star rating from more than 1,300 Amazon ratings. So is it worth the hype? Let’s dive in.

It’s seriously spacious

The biggest selling point is, unsurprisingly, the chair’s size. The seat measures 22.8 inches wide, while the armrests can flip outward to create an even more open seating area. That extra space appears to be one of the chair’s biggest advantages based on customer feedback. One verified purchaser described being able to “curl into a ball” on the chair, while another said the deep seat made sitting cross-legged comfortable. If you’re someone who likes to tuck your legs underneath you, sit sideways or change positions throughout the day, this design offers considerably more freedom than a conventional office chair.

It’s designed for work and lounging

This is no traditional upright task chair. Its reclining back, adjustable armrests and pull-out footrest make it more of a hybrid between an office chair and a lounge chair. However, there’s an important caveat: not everyone finds it ideal for prolonged sitting. One reviewer specifically said they wouldn’t recommend it for long gaming sessions because it became uncomfortable after a while. So if you’re looking for a highly structured ergonomic chair for eight-hour workdays, this may not be the obvious choice. If you want something you can work, relax and curl up in, it’s much more compelling.

The comfort gets a lot of love

The teddy-fleece upholstery is another major part of the appeal. Multiple reviewers describe the chair as soft and comfortable. And apparently, humans aren’t the only fans. Several reviewers specifically mentioned their cats enjoying the oversized seat and using it for cuddling or sleeping. One customer said their cat never used to cuddle with them in their previous, narrower chair but now sits in their lap daily. Cat approval isn’t exactly an ergonomic certification, but it does reinforce the chair’s oversized, lounge-friendly design.

 

There are a few things to know before buying

The customer feedback isn’t universally glowing, and that’s important at this price point. The chair’s height is a consideration. A 5’8″ reviewer said their feet didn’t touch the floor, suggesting that shorter desks or shorter users may need to pay particular attention to the height range. The armrests also aren’t exactly a piece of cake to adjust. One customer described the mechanism as awkward because the armrests need to be pulled inward significantly before they release.

Assembly appears manageable

Most reviewers seem to have found assembly relatively straightforward. One particularly useful tip from a purchaser: have someone help when attaching the fabric around the back brace, as keeping the fabric pulled together while operating the zipper can make assembly easier.

The verdict

At $359.99 at the time of writing, this isn’t a cheap office chair. But it’s also offering something quite different from a conventional desk chair. The deep seat makes it perfect for cross-legged sitting, and the reclining function and footrest allow it to double as a lounging chair. The biggest question is whether you prioritize lounge-like comfort or traditional ergonomic support. Customer feedback suggests that people who want a cozy, oversized chair are generally very happy with it, while those expecting a highly supportive upright chair for prolonged gaming or desk work may be less impressed. Bottom line: If you want an oversized office chair that feels more like a cozy piece of furniture than a traditional task chair, it’s an intriguing option.

 

Alternative office chairs you may like

The Amseatec Criss Cross Office Chair features five-level adjustable armrests, which can be raised for support or laid flat to create extra room for sitting cross-legged. Pet owners rejoice: the wipe-clean PU leather upholstery makes it furry-friend approved.[/product_listing]

 

If you want a criss-cross chair with more ergonomic features than the typical model, this one features adjustable lumbar support, a reclining backrest, and a supportive headrest. It has built-in side pockets and flip-up arms for even more flexibility when sitting cross-legged.[/product_listing]

 

Chic in aesthetics, this criss-cross office chair pairs a 24-inch-wide seat with breathable cotton-linen upholstery, a 120-degree reclining function, and adjustable height. Choose between a stationary cross base or rolling wheels to suit your workspace.[/product_listing]

You may also like:

Aesthetic Daily Planner – $12.99

4 Tiers Stackable Desk Organizer – $38.00

Cute Keyboard Retro Round Keycap – $49.99

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

British Columbia’s Finance Minister Brenda Bailey says she has early-stage, treatable cancer.

Bailey said Thursday in a post on social media that the diagnosis came a few weeks ago and she has been given a good prognosis for full recovery.

“I will be receiving treatment later this summer and anticipate returning to work in time for the fall legislative session,” she said.

The post said she has worked with Premier David Eby to find the best path to get through treatment and continue the government’s work, and that they will have more information Friday.

On Monday, Bailey delivered the latest fiscal update revealing B.C.’s deficit ended $3.3 billion below the previous estimate for fiscal year 2025-2026, because of higher revenues and lower spending on capital projects.

Other NDP legislators have recently been contending with illness.

Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA Grace Lore went public with her colorectal cancer diagnosis in December 2024.

Lore said in April that she had another surgery and would be voting virtually and back to working from home when the time is right.

In April, Eby asked for prayers for Vancouver-Strathcona MLA Joan Phillip for an unspecified illness.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Some of the best young golfers in Canada have their chance to compete on a national stage this week, with Regina playing host.

The 2026 Canadian Junior Boys Championship is underway at Wascana Country Club, bringing together the country’s top U19 golfers for a workweek of competition.

It marks the first national tournament in Saskatchewan since 2018 at a historic course that has a long history of hosting championship golf. Wascana previously hosted the 2018 CP Women’s Open, where Canadian star Brooke Henderson captured the title.

“To bring a national tournament to Saskatchewan and obviously the city of Regina, it is a great opportunity to showcase the great golf courses and obviously hospitality we have, so anytime we can put on a national showcase, we’re going to try to do that at every opportunity,” said Golf Saskatchewan director Brian Lee.

Bringing a championship of this level to Regina also provides an opportunity for local players to know the course while not having to travel far.

“It’s great to have these bigger events in our home province. Like last year we were in New Brunswick, that’s a pretty far trek, but it’s nice when these big events come. You know, I’m two and a half hours away instead of a four-hour flight,” said Saskatchewan golfer Aricin Franklin.

Doing well or winning this tournament isn’t just about bragging rights. It opens doors, as director of the Canadian Junior Boys Championship Rogan Doyle tells us.

“The winner this week will receive an exemption into the 2027 U.S. Junior Amateur, which is the USGA’s version of this tournament,” Doyle said.

“As well, they’ll get into the 122nd Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship and then the winner from that gets into the Canadian Open, so this can really propel someone into next year and potentially the future.”

Five Saskatchewan golfers also made it through the 36-hole cut, keeping some local representation in the field heading into the final round on Friday. Along with Franklin are Saskatoon’s Ryan Mosher and Oliver Matyczuk, Pilot Butte’s Austin Nesbitt, and Swift Current’s Matty Schmiess.

“The past two years I’ve played we’ve had two guys make the cut,” said Franklin. “However, many went and this is definitely the most we’ve had in a couple years and it’s nice to see especially in our home province.”

The Canadian Junior Boys Championship concludes Friday, with the fourth and final round at Wascana Country Club teeing off at 8 a.m. with awards to follow at 3 p.m.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.