As we ease into a new season (and the first anniversary of the pandemic), artists are already plotting their return to IRL stages. But as far as we’re concerned, that won’t be happening anytime soon. Just this month, The Weeknd announced dates for the After Hours World Tour in 2022. And although that sounds like eons away, it’s very hard to believe that 12 months will be enough time for us to safely return to packed, sweaty stadiums and mosh pits. But in the meantime, the virtual performance landscape needs a bit of work. For instance, to audition for Canadian Music Week’s virtual showcase, first-time applicants must pay $99. Granted, the application comes with a two-year membership to the CAAMA and virtual admission to CMW’s conference, but charging this much to merely be considered to play on a virtual stage is troubling—especially in a pandemic.
This is just one glaring example but since we’ll likely be in some variation of quarantine for the remainder of the year, virtual shows will have to catch up. And even without any platforms to perform, Candian artists have kept up the momentum with a steady stream of exceptional tracks across all genres. These are ones that were on our radar this month.
Night Lovell, "Counting Down the List"
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In his second drop of the year, Ottawa native Night Lovell puts his signature blend of punk and rap on full display. With a haunting, bassy growl, he flows over a beat that could easily be the score to a horror film. —Sumiko Wilson
Kaytranada, "Caution"
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Premiering on TikTok as a Black History Month promo, “Caution” is a looping instrumental that doesn’t differ from Kaytranada’s usual space house groove. Short and sweet, the Montreal-based DJ has dubbed the beat simply as “something to move to.” With tight percussion and loose disco inflictions, “Caution” teases what could come of the BUBBA remixes. —Sydney Brasil
Sean Leon, "Aquarius V1"
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With guitar-led instrumentals produced by Jack Rochon and melodic vocals from Sean Leon, “Aquarius V1” could easily be the epilogue to “Guillotine”—the ballad that Leon released last spring. For his first drop of the year, he lists a lover’s pros and cons over a downtempo beat: “I made a liar out of you/I’m myself when I’m with you.” —Sumiko Wilson
Puffy L’z f/ Young Smoke, "Have It"
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Puffy L’z is back. For his first release of the 2021, the Halal Gang alum teamed up with Young Smoke, the younger brother of the late Smoke Dawg. At this point, Puffy L’z has ascended to the ranks of a local legend and his bars back that up, but Young Smoke holds his own on his verse with lines like, “I got two bitches calling me—they both mine.” —Sumiko Wilson
Ebhoni, "X-Ting"
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2021 is Ebhoni’s year. Released alongside her X EP earlier this month, “X-Ting” reminds you not to pick up when that one ex calls. Her inner Sagittarius shines throughout, with her confident vocal delivery pairing perfectly with the song’s dancehall-inspired groove. Ebhoni’s ability to insert her history on Toronto’s Weston Road effortlessly into her art lends a strong sense of genuity and vision. —Syndey Brasil
Amaal, "Brown Skin"
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Amaal’s cover of India.Arie’s neo-soul anthem “Brown Skin” is the closing track on Warner Music Canada’s Black Alliance Vol. 1. The album is a compilation of covers released in honour of Black History Month, featuring six of Canada’s most exciting emerging and established acts. On her cover, the levity of Amaal’s tone is perfectly suited for Arie’s relaxed repertoire. She does the original justice, but makes it her own by taking it on with her airy falsetto. —Sumiko Wilson
Manila Grey, "00 Luck (Freestyle)"
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Manila Grey’s first new music of 2021 finds the Vancouver duo still firmly in their bag. On “00 Luck,” Neeko and Soliven lay waste to a spooky alien hovercraft of a trap beat (by Nafsi and azel north), switching cadences and octaves as naturally as—we assume—they switch gears while drag racing down Knight Street. The pair trade self-assured flows about how they and their day ones are currently feasting, and how there was “no luck needed” to get there. Given the buzz around their upcoming album No Saints on Knight Street, they likely won’t have to reach for the rabbit feet anytime soon. —Alex Nino Gheciu
Nill f/ DijahSB, "Control"
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It’s impossible to listen to “Control” once. It’s like keeping it on replay is a prerequisite. In a seamless collab with Brazilian artist Nill, Toronto-based emcee DijahSB delivers a refined prelude to their upcoming album Head Above the Waters, due in April. The cross-cultural collab features the buoyant dance beats that have now become Dijah’s signature, with a subtle undercurrent of baile funk. Though DijahSB is the featured artist, they take the lead on the first two verses and the chorus, with Nill delivering the closing verse with a rhythmic rasp. —Sumiko Wilson
Charmaine, "WOO!"
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For the follow-up to her breakout single “Bold,” Charmaine reunited with David Ariza and Michael Lantz, the production duo behind her bustling debut. Together they concocted “WOO!”: a high-energy banger that feels reminiscent without sounding retro. Where Charmaine’s flow was steadfast on “Bold,” “WOO!” feels more playful and dynamic, with a wider sampling of cadences. It’s unclear when clubs, kickbacks, and spin classes will be resurrected from their COVID closures, but when we are, this will definitely be playing. —Sumiko Wilson
Clairmont The Second, "Interes-ting"
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Over a jazzy instrumental produced by Clairmont himself, the Toronto-based rapper reminds us of the tested temperament that he first rapped about on “Dun” with bars like, “People think that I ain’t got that button ‘till they press it.” The conflict in his lyrics is echoed with the mounting tension in the production, which tapers off in the song’s final act as it closes with a smooth, jazzy outro. —Sumiko Wilson
