New & Upcoming Canadian Releases: Hit Country Rocker Cory Marks Returns, Maddie Jay Announces New Album

The arrival of the festive season sees a comparative lull in new non-holiday releases, but there are still some interesting offerings this week. That includes Americana singer-songwriter Odd Marshall, Montreal singer, Charlotte Cardin-collaborator and hit TikTok video creator Lubalin, French-Canadian composer Alexandre David and experimental musician and turntablist Martin Tétreault.

Meanwhile, veteran Toronto jazzniks Shuffle Demons (celebrating their 40th anniversary year), acclaimed country singer-songwriter Don Amero and Maddie Jay have all announced new projects.

Canadian country-rocker Cory Marks broke through internationally three years ago with hit single "Outlaws & Outsiders," from his debut album Who I Am. Certified gold in Canada, the song charted at No. 1 on Billboard's Rock Digital Song Sales chart and notched over 33 million streams worldwide.

Sophomore full-length, Sorry For Nothing, comes out today (Dec. 6), accompanied by an updated and heavier version of his current single “(Make My) Country Rock.” This one features star guests Sully Erna of Godsmack, Travis Tritt and Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe, and displays Marks' skill in fusing arena-rock and country elements. The new album is co-produced by longtime collaborator Kevin Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, Shania Twain).

A buzz has been developing around Maddie Jay, a producer/artist and multi-instrumentalist from Smithers B.C. and now based in Los Angeles. She has been featured on Grammy Award-winning artist RAC’s album Boy, was recently Spotify’s RADAR Canada Artist of the Month, and has toured with Lorde, Remi Wolf and Summer Walker (U.K. tour dates with Wolf closed out this week). She has just announced that a keenly awaited new album, I Can Change Your Mind, will be released on Jan. 10. Her eclectic sound draws upon synth pop and indie rock elements, and advance singles from the album have grabbed rave reviews. New single “11th Avenue” features vintage drum machines and synthesizers.

Check out the full release calendar here

December

1: GTA Rhythm Section, The Orange Sessions (Wolfe Island Records)

4: Odd Marshall, Sand & Glue

5: Carmen Braden, A Hard Light

6: Lubalin, haha, no worries (Cult Nation)

6: Cœur de pirate, Child of Light soundtrack -10th anniversary vinyl edition

6: Cory Marks, Sorry For Nothing (Better Noise Music)

6: Alexandre David, photogrammes (DAME)

6: Martin Tetreault , Vraiement Plus de Snipettes!! (DAME)

6: Julian Taylor Band, Live at TD Music Hall

6: Moka Only - Martian XMAS 2024 (Urbnet)

9: Lucas Haneman, I’m Just One Man

11: Alex Henry Foster, A Whispering Moment

13: Menno Versteeg, Why We Run ( Royal Mountain Records)

13: Reg Schwager, Poinsettia (Bandcamp)

13: Movieland, Then & Now (604 Records)

13: Nicola Miller, Living Things

January

10: Maddie Jay, I Can Change Your Mind

17: Marlaena Moore, Because You Love Everything (Session/Bonsound)

17: The Weather Station, Humanhood ( Next Door Records)

17: Jonas & the Jaguar Moon, S/T

17: Drop It First, Fundamentals

17: Ken Presse, Someday

24: Motherhood, Thunder Perfect Mind (Forward Music)

24: Tariq, Scroll Before You Sleep (Tiny Kingdom)

24: Sarah Page & Patrick Graham, Littoral States

31: Christian Sean, Hallelujah Showers (Bonsound)

31: Charlie Houston, After I Die (Arts & Crafts)

31: Gus Engelhorn, The Hornbook (Secret City)

31: N NAO, Nouveau Langage ( Mothland)

31: Featurette, Panic Pills (via Division11)

31: Jann Arden, MIXTAPE

February

3: Nia Nadurata, Still Living With My Parents (Arts & Crafts)

7: Gino Vannelli, THE LIFE I GOT (TO MY MOST BELOVED)(COA Productions)

7: Naya Ali, We Did The Damn Thing (Bonsound)

14: Peter Dreams and MOONRIIVR, S/T (Six Shooter)

14: Art d’Ecco, Serena Demon (Paper Bag Records)

14: Raj Ramayya, Love Thy Brown Brother

14: Alessia Cara, Love & Hyperbole

18: Mark McLaughlin, All I Can Say

21: Basia Bulat, Basia’s Palace (Secret City Records)

21: Tate McRae, So Close To What (RCA Records)

21: Silverstein, Antibloom (UNFD)

21: Laurie Torres, Après coup (Tonal Union)

27: JJ Miller, Hometown Believer

28: CJ Wiley, So Brand New (Tiny Kingdom)

28: Filmmaker – An Invitation to an Accident (Record Record Label)

28: The Hylozoists – La Fin Du Monde (Record Record Label)

28: hHead – Jerk/Fireman (Record Record Label)

28: Don Amero, Broken Record: Part 1 - Heart

March

6: The Shuffle Demons, Are You Really Real (ALMA Records)

7: No Frills, Sad Clown (We Are Busy Bodies)

7: Spiritbox, Tsunami Sea, (Pale Chord /Rise Records)

28: Salin, Rammana

May

9: Hanorah, Closer Than Hell (Ensoul Records)