It was back in the late spring of 2022 when emerging Vancouver, BC synth-rockers Hyaenas entrusted us with their debut single “Little Trophy” – and boy, did this impressive tune check every conceivable “wants and needs” box for me at that time. Shortlisted for my Top 20 Singles list that year, I eagerly kept “this one on repeat for not just hours, but days … combining cool riffs with powerful, yet subdued vocals, this all-girl indie-rock banger is one of 2022’s top finds.” In retrospect, “Little Trophy” was – and remains – my undisputed favorite single release of that year.
The release of their “Little Trophy” EP just nine months later proved equally fruitful – with subsequent tracks “Another Level” and “For The Birds” earning many spins here at GDW HQ through most of 2023. This release also smashed our self-imposed barrier prohibiting EP’s from being eligible for our year-end albums list – where it came oh-so-close to taking home the grand prize that year (first runner-up). Even my 2023 “Wrapped” (from the digital platform that shall not be named) declared this my most streamed album by a long shot.
And yet, with so much momentum, suddenly this all-queer quartet of Sophie Heppell (guitars/vocals), Luvia Petersen (synth/vocals), Jesse Robertson (bass/vocals) and Jen Foster (drums/vocals) seemingly dropped off our radar. A few digital-only single releases bounced around the streaming sites, but it wasn’t until late last year that Hyaenas found themselves back in our crosshairs – dropping their great cover version of the popular Garbage tune “Queer” – returning to our pages as part of a singles recap feature.
Returning to the here-and-now, we are happy to learn of the band’s reemergence from yet another Canadian winter – bursting back onto the scene with their first single of 2026 back in January (“All the Girls”) and their latest cut, “Sound Spell,” earlier this month – both following a pair of new tunes from late 2025 that shall all appear on – wait for it – “Human Nature,” their first full-length album set for release on June 12, 2026.
With a brief 3:00 run time, “Sound Spell” contains all the trademarks that defines the band’s music – synth heavy, drum pounding, guitar ringing retro alt-pop that is equally at home on a 90s indie playlist as it is here a quarter of the way into this century. “Our new song is about infatuation, projection, and the strange rituals of digital intimacy. It’s part pop confessional, part sonic hex,” they shared recently on social media. “[It] explores the fine line between knowing someone deeply and realizing you may be delusional. This song is for those who want to feel a little bewitched.” Welcome back, Hyaenas – you have been sorely missed!
Photo Credit: Yvonne Hanson Photography
The British guy that crossed the ocean and crash landed in central Pennsylvania (to quote Greg Keelor, “And I wonder what am I doing here?”). As the youngest of four siblings, exposure to music from a very early age nurtured my passion and appreciation for many musical genres. Continuing to discover some amazingly diverse and talented musicians based in Canada, I gravitate to live music experiences and remain devoted to spreading the word about such a vibrant music scene.
