Each week, staff from CBC Music, Radio 2, 3, Sonica, CBC Hamilton and Whitehorse collect songs they just can't get out of their heads, and make a case for why you should listen, too. Press play below and discover new songs for your listening list.
Let us know in the comments what catches your ear, or if you have new song suggestions.
Lauv, 'The Other'
There are those moments in life when a song stops you in your tracks. Sometimes it's the melody or the beat that grabs your attention, and the next thing you know, you've been sitting there for the entire song, completely in the moment. That's what happened to me with Lauv's track "The Other." Incredible vocals, catchy piano melody and a solid drum beat — everything you want in a track. This is the first song from New Yorkers Ari Leff and Michael Matosic, two solo musicians in their own rights, but I hope there's a lot more to come from the duo soon.
— Matthew Fisher
Chersea, 'The Wolf' (Searchlight contestant)
There's a fantastic push and pull between Chersea's layered, lush vocals and the textured, electronic flourishes that anchor her music. The fact that she does everything alone — apparently she's a looping wizard — makes "The Wolf" all the more remarkable. — Andrea Warner
Lord Huron, 'Fool for Love'
"I’m dangerous 'cause I’m a fool for love." Lord Huron’s latest track is from the band's upcoming album, Strange Trails , which will be released in April. It is a tale of adventure, determination and brazen romanticism. The instrumental arrangements — featuring chimes, the twang of a guitar and a steady, percussive gallop — pair with the narrative, which tells of heading off into the wilderness with the antiquated notion of fighting hand-to-hand for a woman’s heart, making the track reminiscent of the American Old West. In the end, Lord Huron’s hero is left bleeding out in the snow, reflecting on his uninhibited heart — a tragic end to the hopeful romantic. — Joan Chung
Raz Fresco, 'Warning Shots/Murda'
It’s sometimes hard to remember that Raz Fresco a) is only 20 years old and b) still hasn’t released an official full-length, label-backed album, because it feels like this guy has been around forever. After a slew of successful mixtapes, Fresco’s full-length debut, Pablo/Frescobar, is set to drop on Duck Down this year. The two-in-one video "Warning Shots/Murda" is the first release from the album and features all the lyrical dexterity and heavy, head-nodding beats you’ve come to expect from Raz. — Chris Dart
Editor's note: strong language warning, NSFW.
Pharis and Jason Romero, 'A Wanderer I’ll Stay'
Pharis and Jason Romero's old-time sounds have become a favourite of folk festivals across western Canada, and they're sure to make more fans with the duo's new album. Recorded in their home in Horsefly, B.C., this is the title track from A Wanderer I'll Stay.
— Dave White , CBC Whitehorse
Of Monsters and Men, 'Crystals'
There are always rumblings of that sophomore slump in the music industry, where, based on the success of their first record, artists don't live up to those second-album expectations. If you think that's stressful enough, try going four times platinum in the U.S., five times platinum in Australia and three times platinum in Canada, which is what Of Monsters and Men did with their first album. They really need to bring it this second time around.
The just-released first single, "Crystals," is reminiscent of what made us fall in love with the Icelandic band to begin with, but here's hoping the rest of the record lets them stretch their musical arms a little more. Beneath the Skin drops June 9 on Universal Music, and Of Monsters and Men kick off their North American tour in Toronto on May 4. — MF
Khatalia, 'Show Me Love' (Searchlight contestant)
Khatalia's basically grown up on YouTube, and there's a reason her songs and covers have earned millions of views so far. "Show Me Love" is a tightly crafted bit of pop/R&B that's ready for the radio, and I think it's only a hint at what Khatalia is truly capable of accomplishing. — AW
Angélique Kidjo, 'Malaika'
As a musician, you have to reach a certain level to find yourself onstage performing with a symphony orchestra. For one, orchestras aren't cheap: we're talking 100 musicians who each spent decades honing their craft. Second, not everything sounds better, or even that good, with an orchestral arrangement. It's why you won't see a lot of DJs and orchestras performing together — although some will try. But when it works, oh man, it really works. Angélique Kidjo plus Orchestre philharmonique du Luxembourg equals Angélique Kidjo Sings. It works. Brilliantly. — Judith Lynch
Angelique Kidjo Sings is available March 31.
The Weepies, 'No Trouble'
The Weepies are the musical duo of husband and wife Steve Tannen and Deb Talan. Their new track, "No Trouble," was actually written in 2013, and in a weird bit of foreshadowing, a few weeks after the track was completed, Talan was diagnosed with breast cancer. Suddenly the refrain, "Don't need no trouble/ but sometimes trouble needs me," was incredibly relevant to their lives. The song highlights their signature harmonies over a driving piano rhythm and subtle strings. Everything builds to create layers and urgency, resulting in a smart, sing-along pop song. Talan has since gone through a successful round of treatment, and is ready for the release of the duo's fifth record, Sirens, out on April 28. You can hear "No Trouble" spinning now on Radio 2, and you can vote for it (or any of your favourites) for the Radio 2 Top 20.
— Jeanette Cabral
Der Faden, 'Best Guess' (Searchlight contestant)
There are lots of great things that only people in Sudbury, Ont., know about: the chicken on a bun at Deluxe; the thrill of porchetta bingo; local new wave/pop-punk act the Statues. The Statues are no more, but frontman Rob Seaton is back with a terrific new act, der Faden. Throw on their Searchlight entry and bop your head along to the best thing to come out of Northern Ontario since blueberry pie. — Mike Miner
Killer Be Killed, 'Curb Crusher'
Metalheads don't squeal with glee. But if they did, a band with members of Soulfly, Dillinger Escape Plan and Mastodon would be just what gets them shrieking with Homer Simpson-levels of excitement. This new tune from Killer Be Killed channels the sludgy grind of Pantera alongside fierce growls and some surprisingly melodic moments. Watch out for the heavy guy in the pit. — Adam Carter, CBC Hamilton
Mumford & Sons, 'Believe'
The banjo was so 2013, or at least that's what Mumford & Sons want you to believe. The announcement of their new record, Wilder Mind, also came with the development that they had decided to go in a new direction, stepping away from the sound that built Mumford & Sons a solid fanbase around the world. Instead, we find a guitar-centric sound along with lyrics and vocal melody that we've come to expect from lead singer Marcus Mumford. I don't usually like doing predictions before hearing complete records, but I can tell you now, this new record is going to be one of the biggest of 2015. Look for it coming May 4 on Glassnote Records. — MF
Meezy Musik, '2 Late' (Searchlight contestant)
It's a hell of a thing to compare one's self to Jesus in a bio, but gospel rapper Meezy Musik delivers. "2 Late" is clever, well-produced and a little bit of fresh hip-hop heaven. — AW
Florence and the Machine, 'St. Jude'
"St. Jude" is Chapter 2 in Florence and the Machine’s short film series for their upcoming album, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, and in it Florence Welch is still searching — for life, for hope, for herself. The video begins similarly to Chapter 1's "How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful," with us staring up at that gorgeous sky, birds soundtracking our descent to earth. But there’s a desperate thread running through "St. Jude" that didn’t feel as immediate with the previous track. A chorus of voices sings, "St. Jude," as Welch responds, "The patron saint of the lost causes." It’s all so intimate, it’s impossible not to feel like you’re journeying alongside her. — Holly Gordon
by Holly Gordon via Electronic RSS
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