New Music from Bryan Adams, Shawnee, Jane’s Party and Thomas Rhett

We normally try to deliver brand spanking new tracks in our New Music Spotlight. This time around, we couldn’t bring ourselves to deliver Christmas music before US Thanksgiving had passed. So, some of these tracks have been out for a little while.

And yes, we’re delivering up Thomas Rhett’s Christmas duo, again. We really like them.

It’s still very early in the season, so we can’t promise there won’t be a follow-up New Music Spotlight Christmas Edition.

Artist: Bryan Adams
Hometown: Kingston, ON
Genre: Rock
Related: Don Henley, REO Speedwagon, Phil Collins
Song: Joe And Mary
Notes: This adorable video, directed by Adams, features a modern-day rework of the classic Christmas story of Mary and Joseph, navigating Vancouver in a classic Buick with a very pregnant Mary looking for shelter. This track is one of two new recordings on Adam’s five-track holiday mini-album titled Christmas EP.
Links: Web / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify / Apple

Artist: Shawnee
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Genre: Pop, Contemporary, Blues
Related: iskwē, Skylar Kergil, Shea Diamond,
Song: Not Coming Home for Christmas
Notes: Indigenous Two-Spirit artist Shawnee has released a new holiday classic with an alternate take. “Not Coming Home For Christmas has your singalong feel, jingle bells and that warm feeling of Christmas, but highlights the family dramas of the holidays.” Finally, a Christmas video that isn’t picture perfect. Love the reindeer and elf onesies!
Links: Web / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify / Apple

Artist: Jane’s Party featuring Jay McCarrol
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Genre: Pock, Rock
Related: Yukon Blonde, Hollerado, Arkells
Song: I Want It Bad!
Notes: Another new holiday song which examines the greed kids can feel around the holidays. It also looks at how that materialism turns into feelings of nostalgia as they get older. Jane’s Party are throwing a Holiday Charity Concert at The Cameron House on December 14th, and all of the money raised will go toward the Regent Park School of Music. On December 22nd they’ll be hitting up the Newmarket Riverwalk Commons for the Grand Menorah Lighting.
Links: Web / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify / Apple

Artist: Thomas Rhett
Hometown: Valdosta, GA
Genre: Country
Related: Jon Pardi, Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen
Song: Christmas in the Country / The Christmas Song
Notes: Something old and something new. Thomas Rhett delivers a beautiful classic rendition of The Christmas Song and a fun new song, Christmas in the Country, that hits on all the holiday things that tug at our heartstrings The pair are a welcome addition to our holiday song list.
Links: Web / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify / Apple

Author profile

Trish Cassling

Writer/Photographer/Editor

Toronto Music Blogger