So many great new single releases, so little space to feature them all. We may only be a couple of weeks into February, but here are four outstanding new tunes that we are excited to share during the midwinter.
The Dunlop Brothers, “You Knew The Cost”
Following the success of their 2018 debut “Vol 1” album, Hamilton, ON, brothers Matt and Justin Dunlop return with a brand new single, “You Knew The Cost.” Recorded at Catherine North Studios in their hometown, The Dunlop Brothers once again share their own brand of Americana music. Infused with a healthy dose of Steeltown grit, their fusion of jazz, blues and roots music is certainly influenced by their hometown’s spirit of independence, quiet strength and raw authenticity. Opening with a laid-back beat and some slow-paced vocals, it is the lyrical delivery that grabs your attention here; words reinforced by some timely electric guitar cries and purposeful piano strokes at all of the right moments. Their natural link as siblings adds a special quality to the songs that Matt and Justin write together, crafting some beautiful poetry that adds further to the beauty of this new song: “I’m forever in your arms / Love helped me get lost / Yes, I know the cost / I’m forever in your debt / ‘Til I’m broken and bent / And I’ve spent every cent.”
Matt Holubowski, “Two Paper Moons”
Always a favorite here at GDW, Matt Holubowski has been quiet for way too long, it seems, and so the news of both a fresh single and upcoming album is like a ray of sunshine during these cold winter months. “Two Paper Moons” is the latest single for the Hudson, QC, singer-songwriter, a perfect teaser track to precede the formal release of his latest full-length album, “Weird Ones,” that drops on February 21st. Best known for his expressive voice and unique phrasings, expect this new album to push his sonic experimentation as he oscillates between melancholy and optimism. An ode to owning ‘being different,’ Matt’s new music invites us into a parallel universe, a world at once beautiful, strange, colorful, and surreal. Indeed, “Two Paper Moons” caught me off-guard with the breezy overtones to open, and the light, chilled-out indie-pop vibes and instrumentation that followed, cushioning the somewhat dreamy nature of Matts’ vocals. “I’ve always wanted to cultivate a certain strangeness,” he shares, and adds that the album title is “a reference to the marginal and singular people who’ve inspired me and continue to do so, whether their extravagance is expressed flamboyantly or in a more introspective way.”
Scenic Route to Alaska, “Daydreaming”
Continuing with the haven’t heard from you in a while theme, Edmonton, AB, indie-pop trio Scenic Route to Alaska make a triumphant return to our music radar with this brand new single. Wrapping up a successful tour fueled in part by their previous single, “Give a Little,” released late last year, the band are excited to share more new music and announce the arrival of their fifth full-length album coming this summer. With “Daydreaming” and the new album, the band revisits their roots with a more organic, unfiltered take on their signature sound, or as vocalist Trevor Mann prefers to put it, “a truer representation of what we do when we get together and make music. Co-produced with JUNO Award winning producer Howard Redekopp (Tegan & Sara, Dear Rouge) in Vancouver, BC, the band were looking for a 1970s inspired rock ‘n’ roll vibe and wanted that to come across in all of the tones. “Daydreaming was inspired by a cold winter, bad news, and the longing for something warm, wholesome and safe, like the love you find in a new and exciting relationship,” the band shares. “It is meant to conjure thoughts of warm weather and watching the sun come up with the ones you love.”
Jenn Grant, “Happy Birthday, Baby”
Lake Echo, NS, singer-songwriter Jenn Grant (and husband Daniel Ledwell) welcomed their first child, Gus, into the world a little over a year ago, but fortunately, for her legions of fans, she did not stray too far from the musical spotlight. Releasing her “Love, Inevitable” album last May, Jenn extended the summer season into September with a stunning rendition of the Don Henley hit, “Boys of Summer,” followed by “The Party,” an alt-holiday song released in December. Both songs shall appear on her forthcoming EP, “Reimagine,” set to be released digitally on February 21st (and available in physical format at her live shows). To coincide with the release, Jenn shares “Happy Birthday, Baby,” a song she holds near and dear to her heart; one that reflects on the experiences and emotions around parenthood. “I found childbirth and postpartum to be such an intense, overwhelming but also beautiful and sacred experience,” she recalls. “It can be like all your worst fears and biggest dreams of life coming true at the same time. This song is about those moments before my son was born, and thereafter.”
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.
