With all of the songs on music streaming, you may miss some rockin’ Canadian artists that you absolutely need to give a listen to. To remove that overwhelming feeling, in this post, I’ve listed five new-ish songs by Canadian artists you need to check out. These songs have been released in the last year or so and range in genre so, hopefully, you will find something you like.

1. CAM by Marie Céleste

This first pick is fresh off the press for you! Marie Céleste’s new EP was released, through Bravo Musique, just a few days ago. Opening with a TV-like static, the song revs up into a fast paced track, this new tune is a love letter to a loved one who needs a bit of encouragement and strength.

You can feel the love and well-wishes they have for Cam. In lines likes, “S’il te plaît n’oublie pas que je t’aime et qu’au plus profond de tes veines, il y a une version de toi-même qui s’aime aussi quand même.” Or, Please don’t forget that I love you and that deep in your veins, there’s a version of yourself that still loves itself.

It was clear this song is for those who need a reminder that self-love is important. To become a self-realized person, you have to acknowledge yourself first. The work that comes after that will fall into place.

2. HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP UP A LIE? by Saya Gray

HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP UP A LIE? is about longing for a former lover. The string arrangements, along with the synth and gentle drumming, feel so harmonious and reverent. Even the acoustic version that I have linked above shows Saya’s incredible singing prowess: angelic, all while stripped down just to vocals, a guitar and a piano.

Gray’s honesty in her personal shortcomings is a breath of fresh air. She sings, “I met an angel / She said I wish you forgiveness and your bitterness away ’cause this shit has nothing to do with you.” Sometimes we need take our head out of ourselves, and consider the bigger picture.

Since releasing her album through Dirty Hits last February, Saya Gray’s “Saya” has been doing numbers across listening platforms. The Toronto-raised songstress is surely carving out a space for her name. If you are a fan of FKA Twigs, you will love Saya Gray.

3. La journée va être chaude by Les Louanges

This recommendation comes from my friend, Maddie, who texted me this song recently. Les Louanges is no stranger to me, though, as this Montréal-based musical project fronted by Vincent Roberge came into my orbit years ago when I heard La nuit est un panthère.

La journée va être chaude is so charming, straight from the jump, with its rhythmic composition. The arrangement is knee tapping, head-banging and simply put: cool. Roberge is so effortlessly swagged out in all of his songs but this one is really the cream of the crop, especially if this is the first song you listen to.

All this considered, you should know the song is about climate change. The title directly translates to “The day is going to be hot.” With pointed lyrics such as “L′enfer ce n’est pas les autres / Ton voisin ou la gauche / Mais celui qui fait du profit/ À te laisser dans l’eau chaude,” which translates to Hell is not other people, your neighbour or the left, but the one who makes a profit leaving you in hot water. You will be grooving with a purpose.

4. Queen of Nothing by Softcult

Queen of Nothing is a soft punk anthem about the state of women’s rights. While women have so many strides, we are still passed over and at risk of losing our bodily autonomy. This song serves an opportunity to rage against the things that women continually have to prove themselves, and their humanity.

Across their songs, Softcult wants you to stand in your strength. Unafraid to talk about the hard issues, Softcult is the punk band we need right now. It’s the cherry on top that they’re Canadian too!

In my previous post about Softcult, I wrote that their forthcoming album is set to be released on January 30th. A short stint away, I thought it would be great to get this band into your ear just before the release of their debut record.

5. Un chant d’amour by Vanille

Soft and melodic, Vanille’s music has me feeling like slow dancing in a hazy gothic haunted castle in my best Morticia Addams garb. That’s just me, though, and maybe for you this song is more frolicking in a meadow in your cottagecore chic.

Either way, Un chant d’amor is a sweet and luxuriating track about wanting to relish in your partners love. Vanille sings so gently. With poeticism, she opens the song by asking, “Où vas-tu quand le temps ne dit rien/ Aux heures douces de l’automne?” Or: Where do you go when time says nothing in the gentle hours of autumn?

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I’m sure this will come in perfect for your love day playlist. Perhaps you, too, will feel like Morticia and Gomez in a bubble of tenderness and passion.

Have you listened to any of these five songs? Which is your favourite? What should I check out next? Let me know in the comments below!