Born Ruffians: Miss You
The Toronto ensemble headlines a series of hometown shows following the release of a new album and teasing both is a fine new single that will tickle the fancy of alt and mainstream fans.
By Kerry Doole
Born Ruffians - "Miss You" (Paper Bag): In understated but very steady fashion, this Toronto indie rock band has gained an impressively large and loyal fan base, ten years into their career. This fact is notably reflected by the ensemble having already sold out three of five shows they play at hometown's Lee's Palace in April.
A new album, Uncle, Duke & The Chief, comes out on Feb. 16, and "Miss You" is the latest single from it. It is both quirky and catchy, two characteristics common to Born Ruffians' material.
A phalanx of backing vocals helps ask the oft-spoken query; "do you miss me the way I miss you, baby?" There is definite earworm potential here, with heavy modern rock radio play expected.
The album itself is reported to feature meditations on mortality and other intense themes, but not in a bleak fashion. In a label press release, the primary songwriter, Luke Lalonde, explains “there’s some dark shit on here,” but adds that "I think a lot of the death talk on the record is more about how death can be a wondrous and wonderful thing, in a way.”
The group's extensive North American tour begins at Montreal's Casa Del Popolo on March 1, concluding at Subterranean in Chicago on May 19. A full itinerary here
Felix Cartal shot at the W Toronto on Feb. 20, 2026. Lane Dorsey 
Felix Cartal shot at the W Toronto on Feb. 20, 2026.Lane Dorsey