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FYI

The Darcys - Just Here With My Friends (feat. Leah Fay)

This brand new cut features a collaboration of some major players on the Toronto scene. The lyrics of the shiny and danceable confection may seem trite, but there's a social message underneath.

 The Darcys - Just Here With My Friends (feat. Leah Fay)

By Kerry Doole

The Darcys - "Just Here With My Friends (feat. Leah Fay)"  (Indie):  Released to radio and streaming services today, this cut marks a collaboration between some major players on the Toronto scene, with Leah Fay of July Talk guesting with two pals, Wes Marskell and Jason Couse, aka The Darcys.


"Just Here With My Friends" is further confirmation of the radical shift of sound for The Darcys. Initially, earning their rep for an atmospheric and adventurous modern rock sound, the band has slimmed down and gone for a glossy pop sound, as on their last album, Centerfold.

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The move disappointed many fans, including this scribe, but Marskell and Couse have persisted. There's no denying that "Just Here With My Friends" is an attractively sugary confection. On the surface, the lyrics initially sound trite, but there's a deeper meaning, it appears.

In a press release, co-writer and guest vocalist Fay explains that “mindless pop songwriting often perpetuates a multitude of boring and damaging gender norms that have nothing to do with real life. We wanted to see if we could write a song about two empowered humans meeting in a club that wasn’t predatory on either side.”

“We created something fun that people could dance to and knew we had the opportunity to challenge the traditional ‘boy meets and tries to convince girl' narrative,” adds Wes Marskell.

The message is conveyed effectively by contrasting male and female vocals, and the track has a catchy and danceable vibe.

The Darcys play on Canada Day at Niagara Falls with more dates TBA.

 

Links

Website: www.thedarcys.ca

Instagram: @thedarcys

Twitter: @itsthedarcys

Facebook: @itsthedarcys

Spotify: The Darcys

Publicity: Jessica Leach  jessicaaleach@gmail.com

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Tate McRae at Rogers Centre in Toronto on August 19, 2025.
@Baeth

Tate McRae at Rogers Centre in Toronto on August 19, 2025.

Pop

Tate McRae Reveals Track List for Upcoming ‘So Close to What’ Deluxe Edition

The Grammy-nominated singer is set to release four new tracks along with her Billboard Canadian Hot 100 top five hit "Tit for Tat."

Two hands on the steering wheel, because Tate McRae’s sports car is about to drop off a four-pack of brand-new songs. The pop star revealed the track list for her upcoming So Close to What deluxe edition on Monday (Nov. 17), which is set to arrive later this week.

In addition to her top five Billboard Hot 100 smash “Tit for Tat,” McRae will be adding “Trying on Shoes,” “Anything But Love,” “Nobody’s Girl” and “Horseshoe” to the deluxe on Friday. The new songs are free of features.

This article was first published by Billboard U.S.

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