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Songs you need to hear is CBC Music’s weekly list of hot new Canadian tracks.
Scroll down to discover the songs our producers are loving right now.
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The Climb (Not That One), Finn Wolfhard
“Well, you’d rather be right than happy/ In a taxi, there’s no one laughing,” sings Vancouver actor come singer-songwriter Finn Wolfhard, his vocals dancing over a light and eclectic instrumental that layers indie, folk, country, and Americana textures into something beautifully warm. Taken from his brand new album, Fire From The Hip, The Climb (Not That One) gracefully swerves past any high-gloss indie-pop expectations to offer up a gorgeous slice of countrified storytelling instead. With an immersive acoustic-led soundscape, the song feels intimate and lived-in; the exact kind of nostalgia-tinted jewel you want soundtracking your late night jam session round the campfire as the summer night rolls in. — Stevie Carter
In My Head, Garcons
It’s been five years since indie duo Garçons (Deelo Avery and Julian Strangelove) released new music, but the pair has used that time to refine and expand their brand of pop, R&B and funk. To mark this new era, they’ve released In My Head, a pop-leaning hopeful toast to breaking through mental fog and overcoming one’s own hurdles. In many ways, it’s an optimistic ode to growing up, featuring Avery’s vocals twirling across the bright instrumentals as he sings, “Demon fell, straight from hell, heaven’s gate, opening.” The track climbs and climbs, using the metaphor of a house to illustrate the pair’s journey: “You take the basement, I’ll take the stairs,” Avery sings over pulsing beats. The track was co-produced by Justice Der, who has worked with Katie Tupper, Rachel Bobbitt and more, and he brings his grounded and polished touch while tying everything together. “We’ve grown up, and we feel like the music has too. It’s real, honest and reflective of many of the things we’ve gone through,” Garçons shared in a press release. “We spent a long time in our heads about all of it, but we’re done overthinking. It’s time to get out of our own way and move forward.” — Natalie Harmsen
Energy, Ameerah
Ameerah, the Mississauga, Ont., raised singer-songwriter, continues her recent streak of exciting releases with new single Energy. The song sees Ameerah at her best, writing and performing emotionally raw lyrics over highly catchy production. On Energy, she reflects on the real-life experience of feeling frustrated by lack of effort in a relationship: “Used to your antics, not doing things you’ve promised/ Lost in the pretext, but I’m not turning the pages,” she sings. But, instead of opting for a dramatic, slow beat to sulk over these experiences, she confronts the problem and chooses a hard-hitting, powerful beat from producer EverythingVivid. The vocal layering and synth melodies just add more detail to an already undeniable song. Tune into Energy if you’re ready for a roller-coaster of emotions. — Bhaven Moorthy
Lovesexdrugbomb, Steve Lacy feat. Cecile Believe
In the past few years, Cecile Believe has continued to expand her portfolio, writing, producing and performing with Caroline Polachek, Oklou, Empress Of and Casey MQ, just to name a few. The Montreal musician’s latest collaboration is with R&B star Steve Lacy, who became a fan of hers through her work on Sophie’s 2018 Grammy-nominated album, Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides. (As the Guardian noted, Lacy described Cecile as “kind of like a human synthesizer.”) On Lovesexdrugbomb, the two join forces to yearn over a former lover. Over Lacy’s signature fuzzed-up guitar riffs, he opens up about his desire to reunite: “I miss you more, I want you more than when I had it/ Babe, can I have it?” Cecile first joins through floating background vocals before stepping into the spotlight halfway through. It’s a perfect coalescence of vocals as they take turns with higher and lower registers, patiently circling each other in embrace as they sing on the track’s final moments, “I’m waiting for it/ I’m ready for it.” — Melody Lau