New Music Spotlight with Shawn Mendes, The Planet Smashers, Kris Barclay, and More
New Music from Shawn Mendes, The Planet Smashers, Kris Barclay, Knifey, Alexandria Maillot, and Zoibaf & TRUNG Featuring AXYL
It’s Friday, and that means a lot of new music!
In this New Music Spotlight entry, I’m all over the place. I’ve got some pop, some ska, some country, some indie rock and I’ve got a bonus for you — Progressive House-Electro house from Italy.
Set aside a little time, have a read and hit play.
Let’s do this!
Artist: Shawn Mendes
Hometown: Pickering, ON
Genre: Pop
Related: Niall Horan, Alessia Cara, Camila Cabello
Song: If I Can’t Have You
Notes: From Canada’s pop superstar, this song is full of catchy hooks, relatable lyrics and all that we’ve come to expect from the talented singer.
In an interview with ET Canada’s Zane Lowe, the singer said that “If I Can’t Have You” is “a confident pop record and it’s clearly that for me.” He notes that he is in a “phase” where he is “testing out all the styles” possible.
“In the last 6 months I wrote about 45 songs and they’re all over the place and different vibes. This is the one consistently every time I played for myself and for friends and family was giving people that smile,” Mendes adds.
This song is super fresh, and if this new video isn’t enough for you, Shawn will be performing live on SNL May 4th.
Links: Web / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify / Apple
Artist: The Planet Smashers
Hometown: Montreal, QC
Genre: Ska, Punk
Related: Mustard Plug, Big D and the Kids Table, Save Ferris
Song: Too Much Information
Notes: Montreal’s The Planet Smashers have done it again with this make your body move, get stuck in your head chorus song. The video is a performance piece with colourful animations. We’re going to add this one to our very long list of The Planet Smashers favs. At 25 years, this band is unstoppable. Tickets were just released for their upcoming show at Toronto’s Lee’s Palace.
Links: Web / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify / Apple
Artist: Kris Barclay
Hometown: Ajax, ON
Genre: Country
Related: Andrew Hyatt, Dallas Smith, Shawn Austin
Song: Loved You Like That
Notes: I’ve been waiting for this one. I’ve been a fan since the first time I heard it. I know all the words, and I like the video treatment. I can hardly wait to see Kris Barclay back up on the Boots and Hearts stage. He’ll be opening up the Thursday night Coors Kick Off Party.
Links: Web / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify / Apple
Artist: Knifey
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Genre: indie rock
Related: The Dirty Nil, Hollerado, PUP
Song: shallow
Notes: Knifey’s newest video, shallow is lighthearted, fun and has an adorable pooch in it. And to answer their question, yes, if you buy a dog, you will get our attention.
Links: Web / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify / Apple
Artist: Alexandria Maillot
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Genre: Pop
Related: Sam Lynch, Fox Glove, Hannah Georgas
Song: Messed It Up
Notes: I was touched by the email that introduced me to this song. So I’m going to let Alexandria Maillot speak for herself on this one.
“Messed It Up is an open wound that’s desperately yearning to be mended. it’s the first single from my sophomore record, Benevolence, which is set for release this coming fall 2019.
despite the distance, nothing has changed in my personal life. the relationships that I feared jeopardizing have not faltered. people who love and care for you will still be there, regardless of how much space and time you need. turning a new page may often be uncomfortable; but change is not linear, and neither is life.”
Links: Web / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify / Apple
BONUS
Artist: Zoibaf & TRUNG Featuring AXYL
Hometown: Genova, Italy
Genre: Progressive House-Electro
Related: deadmau5, Tiësto, David Guetta
Song: Remedy
Notes: Remedy is a late, late addition to this New Music Spotlight. It was brought to my attention early this morning by the artist/producer Fabio Nicora aka Zoibaf, through some direct messages. He’s an emerging talent out of Italy, and there’s a quality to this song that I can’t quite put my finger on. But I like it, and I want you to check it out. The lyrics are heartfelt, and the production is top notch.
Links: Web / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify / Apple / SoundCloud
Writer/Photographer/Editor
Toronto Music Blogger
