Wild Black's optimistic self-love anthem, and 6 more songs you need to hear this week
Listen to fresh Canadian tracks from Jace Carrillo, Roy Woods, Mighloe and more
Here at CBC Music, we're always on high alert for new songs by Canadian artists.
This week, we're listening to new tracks from:
- Wild Black.
- After two a.m.
- Jace Carrillo and Alyko.
- Tachichi and Lxvndr.
- Rochelle Jordan and Keys N Krates.
- Roy Woods.
- Mighloe.
Scroll down to find out why you need to listen, too.
What new Canadian tunes are you currently obsessed with? Share them with us on Instagram @cbc_music.
To hear more about these standout songs, tune in to CBC Music Mornings every Thursday (Canada-wide) with producer Ryan Chung and host Saroja Coelho, and Here and Now with Gill Deacon every Wednesday afternoon (in Toronto). Both are available via CBC Listen.
'Stay Dreamin,' Wild Black
"First you dream and then you lace up your boots." — Portia White
Wild Black, a.k.a. Elsa Gebremichael, takes us on a journey of self-actualization on her latest track, "Stay Dreamin." The sparkly single is packed with positive vibes, as she sings, "Here's to a life filled with hope and healing/ What a feeling." Born in Saskatoon and now based in Toronto, Gebremichael embodies the qualities of the ultimate cool girl who moves through the world with balance and intention. The track tells a story of optimism, self-love and authenticity, and her smooth, self-assured vocals are set to a dance mix that you'll be humming for days. And spoiler alert, there's a saxophone solo! "Stay Dreamin" is perfect pop, an easy add to your playlist. — Ashley Catania
'Four Seasons,' after two a.m.
Play to the end of after two a.m., the self-titled debut album from this indie-rock four-piece from Saskatoon, and you get a special reward. The final track, "Four Seasons," is a wistful ballad that opens with strummed acoustic guitar from Sam Redekop and heartfelt vocals by Janelle Moskalyk. "Where'll we be in five years? And what about 15?" she asks in the first verse, wringing every expressive drop from a descending seventh leap in the vocal line. Production expands slightly for the chorus with discreet drums (Tysyn Cardinal), masterly bass (Devon Gunn) and delicate backup vocals (Redekop), while the song's meter seamlessly shifts from a slow 4/4 to a gently rocking 12/8. "Four seasons in a day," they harmonize — and who can't relate to that, when emotions flood your heart like late-afternoon sun filling a room? — Robert Rowat
'Eclipse,' Jace Carrillo, Alyko
When R&B-pop artist Jace Carrillo moved to Montreal in 2015, he wanted to break down language barriers with this music. The Venezuelan Canadian singer-songwriter has experimented in English and French, but always comes back to Spanish, as is the case on his latest release, "Eclipse," from his upcoming sophomore album, Phenomena. With an eminently singable melody propelled by acoustic guitar and an Afrobeat-leaning rhythm, Carrillo is less interested in pushing the limits of his agile vocals than getting listeners on their feet and celebrating the simple joy of making another person happy. That sentiment needs no translation because it's Carrillo's other native tongue — music — that speaks the loudest. — Alice Wu
'Toxic Honey,' Tachichi, Lxvndr
Veteran Halifax rapper Tachichi teamed up with up-and-comer Lxvndr for a sweet summer project titled Found Money, featuring production from the likes of Trobiz and Buck 65 and guests Jah'Mila and Ghettosocks, to name a few of the artists who added their talents into the mix. Carrying a tracklist filled with bangers ("Neck Breaker Boogie") and chill, sunny afternoon vibes ("How the Funk Go!"), Found Money makes space for a lot of moods, but one standout is "Toxic Honey," which gives Lxvndr room to air her grievances. "It's time to shine/ it's time to let them know what's on my mind/ cause I'm on my grind/ like all the time/ you gonna never ever get me down again," she raps over the laid-back beat, asserting herself more and more with each verse. Lxvndr's flow is at times gentle, others more forceful, and she wields that control while morphing the song from one about a toxic relationship to a bigger statement on women's rights. Tachichi's followup verse adds a blast of energy and support in Lxvndr's direction, making "Toxic Honey" a deceptively breezy-sounding song filled with affirmations. — Holly Gordon
'What You Done,' Rochelle Jordan and Keys N Krates
Make room on your summer playlist for this new addition from Rochelle Jordan and Keys N Krates. "What You Done" is a sensual, simmering track that Jordan says "feels exactly like summer," a dance anthem that will soundtrack your sweatiest nights in the club as you get your heart stolen by a "thief in the night." "I didn't expect to see him here again/ Felt his touch, made my heart go pitter-pat/ Baby so bad," Jordan sings, her words spilling out in a cadence that matches her rising heartbeat. Keys N Krates' slick production provides the perfect launchpad for Jordan's late-night feelings — a spellbinding match made in heaven. — Melody Lau
'Test What I Know,' Roy Woods
On Roy Woods's latest moody song, "Test What I Know," the singer laments being single over minimalist production and stacked harmonies. He sings wistfully about driving past his ex's house and reflects on late-night conversations, using lovelorn lyrics to paint a bleak picture of being alone: "All I do is take out now/ No more dates," he sings. The song's emotional delivery and Woods's crisp vocals are reminiscent of his 2015 Exis EP, and the return to his old sound makes for a nostalgic listen. It's a reminder of why fans started listening to him in the first place: memorable melodies and lyrics that tap into the zeitgeist of situationships. The melancholy track is the last single to be released from Woods's upcoming album, Mixed Emotions, which is out on July 28. — Natalie Harmsen
'Notice It,' Mighloe
On her first single of 2023, Mighloe delivers vocals with an immense gravity, one that pulls you in until the rest of the world fades away. I played the song 12 times in a row on first listen, completely enthralled. "Notice It" was co-written by Mighloe, Aron Choonsingh, Dean Visser and Henry Lam. The sensual track is an ode to the lush hedonism of a summer romance — the emergency and electricity of every shared moment palpably ringing. Psych-rock guitar and hazy nostalgia mixed with a soulful rhythm will sweep you into that heady headspace yourself. We've received a few sprinklings from the Toronto-based artist since her 2021 album Desperate Times: an appearance on Berlin-based music platform Colors, and "1440," a single featuring fellow R&B singer Adria Kain. Fingers crossed we get even more of Mighloe's world-stopping music in the coming months. — Kelsey Adams