Once again, the majority of new singles serviced this week are all about Christmas and the holidays. If I find anything interesting in that pile, I’ll let you know. Meanwhile, let’s focus on the secular stuff that rocks for New Music Friday.
Singles
1. Apricity, Break You (Independent)
I ran across Apricity (her name means “the warmth of a winter sun”) a couple of years ago and was impressed by her energy. The born-in-Scotland-and-raised-in-Canada singer is back with a new single produced by Kevin Dietz, a guy who has worked with both Glorious Sons and JJ Wilde. If you’ve ever been in a relationship that was based on intensity rather than stability, this song is for you.
Listen on Spotify
2. Leeroy Stagger, These Days (Tonic Records)
Victoria, BC’s Stagger has been around long enough to released 13 albums. This new Tom Petty-ish single is taken from 3 AM Revelations which was recorded entirely in his home studio. The man has fans in Steve Earle, Modest Mouse, and The Pixies.
3. Ruby Waters, Sour Patch (Wet Records)
More Canadian music. Ruby Waters (an Indigenous Ontarian) has a new single from her debut album, What’s the Point, a record that was written in a cabin somewhere near Squamish, BC. Might she get more JUNO nominations with this record? Don’t count that out.
4. LØLØ, Don’t (Hopeless)
Still more Canadian music, this time from Toronto’s Lauren Mandel, a singer who got her start on TikTok. I’ll just drop this video with its lyric right here. Be careful turning it up too loud in the office.
5. Spike Polite & Michelle Shocked, Your Robot Took My Job (Solid Bass Records)
Worried about artificial intelligence putting you out of work? Annoyed that AI is being used to create art instead of taking care of the stuff that would free up time for humans to make art.? Concerned that Skynet’s sentience is just months away? This song ticks all those boxes and more. And yes, this is the Michelle Shocked we once knew as an alt-folk singer.
Albums
1. Linkin Park, From Zero (Warner)
Seven years after Chester Bennington’s death and the day after the band announced a 50-date world tour, Linkin Park is back with new vocalist Emily Armstrong (ex Dead Sara) and new drummer Colin Brittain. This is LP’s eighth studio album and first since 2017. Early indications are that fans have accepted this new arrangement. Let’s see what everyone makes of a full album,
2. FPXVL, From the Middle Out (Independent)
USS is no longer a thing as Ash and Jason have retired the group. Ash, however, is back making music after a serious staph infection nearly cost him the use of his hand. His return to the spotlight as Fraxinus Prime is a collaboration with Vicelocker (FPXVL = Fraxinus Prime x Vicelocker). We have a full album entitled From the Middle Out and this single is our introduction. If you’re in the Toronto area, there’s an album release party at the Redwood Theatre on Gerrard East this Saturday.
3. As I Lay Dying, Through the Storms Ahead (Napalm)
This is awkward. In the weeks leading up to the release of the band’s eighth album, everyone safe for frontman Tim Lambesis quit. That’s it. It’s just him now. Will fans carry the weight? We’ll see. One thing is for sure is that the storms have arrived.
4. Less Than Jake, Uncharted (Island)
It’s a new seven-song EP of LTJ’s signature ska-pop-punk. This single lay around unfinished for years but was resurrected after someone suggested a big U2 approach to the bridge. Add some brass and a couple of fresh guitar licks and it was suddenly ready to go.
5. St. Vincent, Todos Nacen Gritando (Total Pleasure)
It’s become fashionable (and good business for your global market) to record songs and albums in other languages. St. Vincent has done exactly that with her All Born Screaming album. She’s redone it all in Spanish knowing very well that Latin America and other Spanish-speaking territories are among the fastest-growing markets when it comes to streaming.
6. Nickelback, Live From Nashville (BMG Rights Management)
An old-fashioned balls-to-the-wall live album recorded at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on August 1, 2023, during the Get Rollin’ tour. Throughout the 18 songs, the band is joine dby HARDY, Chris Daughtry and others.
© 2024 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Ad Choices