PhotogMusic

Wayfinding Share Dreamy and Tragic Single for Shrapnel

Ming Wu — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Edmonton indie alt-rock outfit Wayfinding have dropped the music video for their new single, Shrapnel.
The track serves as the second single from the band’s upcoming album, A Nest of Wren, due out on October 9, 2026, via Are You Giving Me The Hi-Hat.
Shrapnel is a tragic yet dreamy and moody alt-rock tune.
The song creates a hazy emotional atmosphere while exploring the uncertainty and complicated feelings that come with leaving someone behind.

About the track, Cassia Hardy explains:
“‘Shrapnel’ is a doomed road trip,” explains Hardy. “Leaving your best friend behind at the gas station. Under blue twilight and sticky sodium freeway lights, thumbing for a ride and imagining if you would stop for yourself or not. Arguing about the answers.”
With its melancholic mood and cinematic sense of emotional isolation, Shrapnel is another intriguing preview of what Wayfinding have in store on A Nest of Wren.
A Nest of Wrens by Wayfinding
Shrapnel gets: /10.

PISS Unleash Frenetic Noise-Punk Energy on time loop at hot slit

Ming Wu — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:50:11 +0000

This is definitely a band to keep an eye on for the rest of 2026 and into 2027.
I’m talking about Vancouver’s PISS, a genre-defying band bringing together punk, poetry, sound collage, performance art and visual art.
Today, PISS dropped the music video for “time loop at hot slit,” the lead single from the band’s upcoming debut full-length album, you made me / skin on linen.
The album arrives on October 30, 2026, via Sub Pop Records outside Canada and Paper Bag Records in Canada.
Clocking in at under two minutes, “time loop at hot slit” is an intense, angsty and loud noise-punk track that wastes absolutely no time making an impact.
It is frantic, abrasive and energetic, while still delivering a surprisingly danceable chorus.

About the track, PISS describes “time loop at hot slit” as:
“a frenetic noise-punk examination of girlhood in a culture of sexualization.”
The song pairs its danceable chorus with witty and poetic lyrics, wailed with anguish and uncanny eroticism.
Using a “gluestick” metaphor, the speaker describes her mouth as being “stuck” shut, unable to advocate for herself.
The song explores how early indoctrination into a porn-sick, youth-obsessed culture can permanently alter someone’s self-image, creating a continuing cycle of exploitation and objectification.
The official music video was co-directed by PISS frontperson Taylor Zantingh and Vivyen Sagsen.
It was filmed at the now-closed Vancouver DIY space Take Yr Time Back.
Zantingh shared:
“Some of the people with whom I shared the earliest version of ‘time loop at hot slit’ take the stage to sing it themselves.
Our local scene has been singing this song with us for two years!!
It’s very exciting to finally share it with the world, but no matter where it ends up, it will always belong to the femmes, queers, and weirdos in the Vancouver underground community <3” That sense of community makes the video feel even more special. What began as a song shared within Vancouver’s underground scene is now ready to reach a much wider audience.

With its explosive sound, sharp lyrics and unapologetic energy, “time loop at hot slit” is an exciting introduction to PISS and what is to come on you made me / skin on linen. If this first single is any indication, PISS could be one of the most exciting and unpredictable bands to watch heading into 2027.
you made me / skin on linen by PISS
“time loop at hot slit” gets: /10.

Matthew Barber Embraces Family Life on New Single These Days

Ming Wu — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:10:11 +0000

Toronto musician Matthew Barber has been making music for more than 20 years, and with the release of his new single and music video, “These Days,” it looks like the acclaimed singer-songwriter has officially entered his dad era.
“These Days” is the leading single from Barber’s upcoming 12th album, Find The Time, which arrives on November 20, 2026, via Outside Music.
The upbeat and sunshiny track finds Barber reflecting on the beauty of domestic family life. It is a song about living, loving and appreciating the everyday moments that come with raising a family.

About the track, Matthew Barber says:
The acclaimed singer-songwriter embraced a new role when he became a father. In 2026, being a stay-at-home dad is hardly an oddity, but stepping away from a life of touring to raise his two young sons marked a dramatic shift.
Becoming a parent forces us to look in the mirror and ask, “How can I be a better person?” and “How can we make the world a better place?” These questions weave their way throughout Find The Time, a record that explores the transformational nature of parenthood and the profound changes that come with it.

But how does one decide to put touring on the shelf and focus on family?
We get a glimpse into that decision on the new single “These Days.”
“It’s a snapshot of the day-to-day flow of work and family, acknowledging the long and winding journey from initial lustful attraction to diapers and daycare,” shares Barber. “It’s about partnership and a deep appreciation for good fortune against all odds.”
The official music video perfectly mirrors the song’s warm, upbeat spirit.
It features Barber singing directly to the camera while walking, cycling and driving through the woods of Grey County, Ontario, as well as his Jane/St. Clair neighbourhood in Toronto.
“There Days” is a charming and feel-good snapshot of where Matthew Barber is in life right now.
After decades in the music industry and years spent touring, the singer-songwriter turns his attention toward fatherhood, partnership and the small but meaningful moments of everyday family life.
There is something refreshing about hearing an artist embrace this new chapter so openly.
“These Days” celebrates the winding journey of love—from early attraction to diapers and daycare—with warmth, gratitude and a sunny musical spirit.

With Find The Time set to explore the transformational experience of parenthood, “These Days” offers an inviting first glimpse into Matthew Barber’s next chapter.
Find The Time by Matthew Barber
“These Days” gets: /10.

ECHLO Explores Inner Emptiness in the Haunting “Hungry Ghost” VR Experience

Ming Wu — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 23:05:02 +0000

Today, Toronto musician Chloe Charles, who performs as ECHLO, shared the VR experience music video for “Hungry Ghost,” part of Gluttony, an ongoing multidisciplinary work spanning music, animation, virtual reality, and staged performance.
The project will be presented at the Aesthetica Film Festival in York, UK, running from November 4 to 8, 2026.
“Hungry Ghost” is a haunting electronic R&B tune that explores longing, emptiness, and the search for something deeper than the temporary pleasures we often reach for.

ECHLO explains:

“The Buddhist image of the hungry ghost gave me a language for something I’d been writing about long before I knew the term. It’s the experience of living with an inner emptiness that no amount of external success, love, beauty or possession can resolve. For me, that void often feels like a disconnection from our deeper nature and our sense of purpose. Hungry Ghost isn’t about excess. It’s about the longing beneath it, and the question of what we’re really searching for.”

Gluttony began as a poem and a musical composition before expanding into an immersive multidisciplinary work. The dialogue-free film follows an unnamed protagonist moving through an opulent and surrealist world with a hole in her chest where her heart should be. As she reaches for beauty, status, and material objects, each moment of relief quickly fades and collapses, reinforcing the central theme of an emptiness that cannot be filled from the outside.
The score was recorded with the FAME’S Studio Orchestra in Macedonia under the direction of conductor Oleg Kondratenko, while choreography was created by Irina Angles.
“Hungry Ghost” was written and composed by ECHLO, with remixing, mixing, and mastering by Luca Scarfidi.
With its atmospheric electronic R&B sound and deeply reflective concept, “Hungry Ghost” is an intriguing and haunting piece of ECHLO’s ambitious Gluttony project.
The combination of music, surreal imagery, and immersive technology makes this more than just a music video, it is an exploration of desire, emptiness, and what we may truly be searching for beneath it all.

Hungry Ghost gets: /10.

Emma Worley Shares Folk-Pop Single Hardware Store in Heaven

Ming Wu — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:30:02 +0000

Recently, Toronto singer-songwriter Emma Worley shared her new single, “Hardware Store in Heaven.”
The track is the fourth single from her upcoming album, Forever Beginner, which arrives on September 18, 2026, via Acronym Records.

“Hardware Store in Heaven” is a charming Americana-infused folk-pop tune inspired by the simple excitement and comfort of wandering through a hardware store. With a playful concept and a warm sense of sincerity, Worley imagines heaven as a place where nobody is in a hurry, forgiveness comes easily, and the things that matter most are simple.

About the track, Emma Worley says:
“I have a special love for hardware stores and find it comforting to be somewhere that so many problems can be solved.
I like wandering the aisles, pondering what I might fix.
This song imagines ‘heaven’ as a place where nobody is in a hurry, forgiveness comes easy and the things that matter most are simple. It’s a funny, slightly irreverent take on the afterlife, but underneath it is a pretty sincere wish for another chance to be with the people we love.”
There is something especially appealing about the way “Hardware Store in Heaven” balances humour with heartfelt emotion. What begins as a quirky idea about the joys of a hardware store becomes a thoughtful reflection on forgiveness, simplicity, and the people we wish we could spend more time with.

“Hardware Store in Heaven” gets: /10.

Isla Den Embrace Dance-Pop Nostalgia on New Single “Basic”

Ming Wu — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 13:30:04 +0000

Montreal duo Isla Den recently dropped their latest single, “Basic.”
The high-energy dance-pop track is the third and final single from their upcoming debut album, Heaven Can Wait, which arrives on September 17, 2026 via Division (Courage).

With “Basic,” Isla Den fully embrace their pop side. Built around nostalgia for UGGs, Juicy Couture, oversized coffees, mall trips and Sephora makeup counters, the track playfully celebrates the idea of being exactly what its title suggests.
The song arrives as Y2K-inspired blog house and electro house continue to make their way back into dance-pop.
Isla Den have explored this territory before with “Hypnotized,” but “Basic” feels like their most direct dive into the sound yet.
It is energetic, hook-filled and unapologetically pop, balancing self-awareness with a genuine love for the glossy, sleazy dance sounds that inspired it.
“Basic” is a fun and infectious dance-pop tune that makes me even more excited to hear what Isla Den have in store for their debut album.
Heaven Can Wait by Isla Den
Basic gets: /10.

CHUS + CEBALLOS Return to Ottawa for a Night of Dancing at Gridwrks

Ming Wu — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 11:45:21 +0000

As part of the official Fierté Capital Pride 2026 programming, I decided to head over to Gridwrks on August 28 for the highly anticipated return of CHUS + CEBALLOS.
After a five-year hiatus from Ottawa, the celebrated DJ duo had the crowd excited and ready to dance.
Their return brought plenty of energy to Gridwrks, with the audience moving throughout their electrifying set.
Opening the night was a special back-to-back session from Craig Leo and Daveo Villa, setting the tone and getting the dance floor warmed up before CHUS + CEBALLOS took over.
It was great to see CHUS + CEBALLOS back in Ottawa as part of this year’s Capital Pride celebrations and to experience another energetic night of electronic music and dancing at Gridwrks.

Check out the gallery from the event below.

Chus & Ceballos @ Gridworks

20 photos

Basia Bulat Releases Intimate Acoustic EP Bouquet

Ming Wu — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 14:30:03 +0000

Today, Montreal singer-songwriter Basia Bulat released her new EP, Bouquet, via Secret City Records.
The five-track EP revisits songs from Bulat’s Basia’s Palace, reimagining them as beautiful, intimate acoustic versions.
Stripping the songs back to their essentials, Bouquet brings a warm and delicate folk-pop sound that connects with Bulat’s folk roots while offering a fresh perspective on the original recordings.
The result is a lovely collection that feels personal, gentle, and deeply intimate. These acoustic arrangements allow the strength of Bulat’s songwriting and expressive voice to take centre stage.

About the EP, Basia Bulat says:
“I loved being able to bring this song, originally written on midi while wearing headphones in the earliest morning hours, all the way across the spectrum of sound into something completely acoustic and to my folk beginnings.
The lyrics describe running through the mud with my very young daughters, ‘looking for the first blooms of the spring’.
It is not only what I was literally doing at the time of writing the song, but also the spirit I try to keep with me all the time: looking for the first beautiful moments of life and light peeking out through the dark, and celebrating that they made it through,” she says.
Bouquet is a beautiful and intimate collection that gives these songs a new life through warm acoustic arrangements and Basia Bulat’s timeless folk-pop sensibility.

Bouquet gets: /10.

Protomartyr Share Explosive New Single and Video for “Feed the Sewer”

Ming Wu — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:00:18 +0000

Today, Detroit rock band Protomartyr released the music video for their new single, “Feed the Sewer.”
The track is the second single from the band’s forthcoming seventh album, Hotel Usona, due out September 25, 2026, via Domino Recording Co.

“Feed the Sewer” is a heavy, loud, and explosive alternative rock track driven by crushing guitars and an intense sense of unease. Its powerful sound perfectly complements the song’s dark themes surrounding artificial intelligence, surveillance, technology, and humanity’s willingness to sacrifice the world for convenience.

Speaking about the track, vocalist Joe Casey said:

“The title comes from a line of dialogue in a Peter Greenaway movie. The sentiment of the song is that artificial intelligence is against humanity. The belief is that people are often willing to destroy the world in exchange for convenience. The lyrics are the usual mish-mash of political fears, personal grievances, literary references, and poop jokes. The music is very loud, like a data center.”

Directed by Andrew Theodore Balasia, the accompanying music video explores loneliness and surveillance in the digital age.
Set within a motel, the video transforms each room into a disturbing reflection of modern data collection, where guests willingly surrender their privacy while being watched by strangers.
Balasia explains:

“Loneliness in the age of surveillance is the theme we explored for this video. The motel becomes a physical microcosm of data collection, each room a profile—each guest willingly paying to stay in a room that is being monitored by strangers. The banality of what’s being observed becomes its own source of unease, stripping away spectacle until all that remains is the dull, unsettling desire to connect with anything.”

With its thunderous guitars, politically charged lyrics, and unsettling visuals, “Feed the Sewer” offers another powerful preview of what to expect from Hotel Usona.
Hotel Usona by Protomartyr
“Feed the Sewer” gets: /10.

V.V. Lightbody Shares Jangly New Single “Dull Knife”

Ming Wu — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:35:55 +0000

Today, Chicago-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist V.V. Lightbody continues building anticipation for her forthcoming third album, Period Piece, with the release of her third single, “Dull Knife.”
Arriving ahead of Period Piece’s October 9, 2026 release via Egghunt Records, “Dull Knife” takes a jangly indie art-pop approach, blending bright guitar textures with psychedelic touches and a lively, dancing bassline.
There is a warm, almost ’60s-inspired quality to the track, but the psychedelic guitars give it a sharper modern edge.

Lightbody says the song is about her tendency to move too quickly and get hurt in the process. The repeated chorus, “Viv, you’re moving too fast!” comes from something her mother would tell her as a child.
Her older brother and musical mentor also contributes background vocals, creating a conversational quality that reinforces the song’s message about slowing down, staying present, and preparing for whatever challenges come next.
Musically, “Dull Knife” strikes a great balance between playful and introspective.
The jangly guitars give the song an immediately catchy quality, while the psychedelic elements and propulsive bassline keep it moving forward.
It feels breezy and fun on the surface, but there is a thoughtful message underneath about learning from your mistakes and taking the time to appreciate the moment.

With “Dull Knife,” V.V. Lightbody offers another intriguing preview of Period Piece. Its combination of indie art-pop, ’60s-inspired jangle, psychedelic guitar, and reflective songwriting makes this a compelling addition to her growing catalogue.
Period Piece by V.V. Lightbody
Dull Knife gets: /10.