Mark Elliot was a brave man - an early advocate for same sex marriage and courageously talked about his struggles with addiction to help others. Rest In Peace
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Mark Elliot was a brave man - an early advocate for same sex marriage and courageously talked about his struggles with addiction to help others. Rest In Peace
- Mayor John Tory, Jan. 12, on Twitter
Arkells
A regularly updating list of new and upcoming albums from Canadian artists. Keep checking back as artists announce new releases.
Canadian artists have moved into 2026 with some big releases on the horizon.
Some have begun their album cycles, others have confirmed release dates and some have just teased that their records will be out this year. It has been a growing industry trend for major name artists to put out new music with little or even no advance notice, so coming out with a definitive and iron-clad release schedule is an ongoing process. That's why we will now be updating this calendar throughout the year. Check back each week to see the new additions.
Here is our current list of upcoming albums with some of the most highly anticipated singled out. Here, in chronological order, are our Billboard Canada picks, followed by the full calendar of new and upcoming Canadian releases.
Beverly Glenn-Copeland & Elizabeth Copeland, Laughter In Summer (Transgressive) — Feb. 6
Renowned songwriter and performer Beverly Glenn-Copeland has had a fascinating career that has ranged his work on children's show Mr. Dressup to a pioneering synthesizer album (1986's Keyboard Fantasies, later honoured with the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize) and a late-career revival that has seen him recognized as a transgender music icon. Recently diagnosed with dementia, he continues to create new music. Released on Feb. 6, Laughter In Summer features new music alongside revisiteded earlier songs.
Daphni, Butterfly (Jiaolong) — Feb. 6
Internationally-acclaimed Hamilton songwriter and producer Dan Snaith is a man of many monikers. He earlier recorded as Manitoba and now releases material as both Daphni and the Polaris Prize-winning Caribou. Daphni usually represents Snaith's more upbeat and danceable side, and new offering Butterfly (out on Feb. 6) features his first ever vocal on a Daphni cut, "Waiting So Long." Somewhat confusingly, it is deemed Daphni feat. Caribou, which would be Snaith featuring Snaith.
Larkk, Cinders — Feb. 13
Given her role as the powerhouse voice behind the indie rock duo Dear Rouge, Danielle McTaggart's move into a solo career as Larkk is an exciting evolution. This album promises a shift to "raw, poetic vulnerability." She makes her debut with Cinders, out on Feb. 13.
Peaches, No Lube So Rude (Kill Rock Stars) — Feb. 20
Influential Canadian electroclash icon Peaches returns to the fray on Feb. 20 with a new album, No Lube So Rude, her first for famed indie label Kill Rock Stars and first in over a decade. The artist, now celebrated at retro "indie sleaze" parties throughout the globe, has not toned down her act, as evidenced by song titles like "F&#! Your Face," and Hanging Titties."
The Sheepdogs, Keep Out Of The Storm — Feb. 27
Classic rock revivalists The Sheepdogs are prepping the release of a new album, Keep Out of the Storm, on February 27. It comes out on their own indie imprint, Right On Records, following their departure from their major label, and it also follows the exit of longtime drummer Sam Corbett. The one-time Rolling Stone cover stars used multiple notable drummers to record the new material, recorded by Thomas D'arcy and produced by frontman Ewan Currie.
Cat Clyde, Mud Blood Bone (Concord)— March 13
This acclaimed indie-folk artist recently signed to prestigious U.S. label Concord Records. Cat Clyde's label debut (and fourth full-length) was produced with Drew Vandenberg (Toro Y Moi, Faye Webster, S.G. Goodman) and includes collaborations with Boy Golden and Courtney Marie Andrews. A label bio calls the album "a trudge through the swamp and into vast, cleansing waters that finds Clyde at a critical point of personal evolution — equal parts despair, invocation, discovery, and celebration." A North American tour with Boy Golden in support is set for March to May. Itinerary here.
The New Pornographers, The Former Site Of — March 27
In March 2025, the veteran indie rockers released their first full band tracks since 2023, “Ballad of the Last Payphone” and “Ego Death For Beginners,” recorded with new drummer Charley Drayton, who replaced the disgraced Joe Seiders and re-recorded his parts. The group's 10th full-length, The Former Site Of will and help them move forward into a new era.Wintersleep, Wishing Moon (Dine Alone) — March 27
Another veteran Canadian rock band, Wintersleep, will put out a new full-length, Wishing Moon, on March 27. Since forming in Halifax, the they've been active for over 20 years, and this will be their eighth album. The fact that it is their first since 2019's In The Land Of is arousing new interest, as is news of a Canadian tour starting May 9, after a U.K./Europe tour. Itinerary here.
Good Kid, Can We Hang Out Sometime? — April 3
Good Kid is a Toronto-based indie rock quintet that has built a huge indie following online, with 700 million streams across their catalogue, viral antics and a gold certification for their hit Laufey cover, “From The Start." That has helped fuel anticipation for their full-length debut record, Can We Hang Out Sometime? The band recently announced an extensive 2026 North American and EU/U.K. tour. Itinerary here.
Tiga, Hot Life (Turbo Recordings / Secret City) — April 17
Another eagerly-awaited spring release is Hot Life from Tiga, due out on April 17, on his Turbo Recordings imprint. The veteran electronic/dance music DJ and producer is a legend in that scene and this will be his first studio album in over a decade. It features artists such as Fcukers, Boys Noize, Maara and MRD.
Arkells, Between Us (Universal Music Canada/Virgin Music Group) — April 17
One of Canada's most successful rock bands of the last decade, Arkells have confirmed that they will release a new album, Between Us, on April 17. The band will perform at this year's Juno Awards, held in their hometown of Hamilton (they are 9x winners) , following tour dates in Europe and the U.K.. The album was produced/recorded in L.A. with Grammy Award Winner John Congleton (St. Vincent, Death Cab for Cutie). A brand new single, "Next Summer," came out the first week of February. Recently, frontman Max Kerman shared his 2026 music industry resolution — "remember the people... the stagehands, the crowds, the invisible ecosystem... that allow the things we love to exist in the first place" — in a guest column for Billboard Canada
Metric, Romanticize the Dive (Metric Music International/Thirty Tigers) — April 24
Veteran Toronto modern rock hitmakers Metric have announced their 10th studio album, Romanticize The Dive. The record's opener "Victim of Luck" doubles as a mission statement, tracing the band back to their early days and revisiting, re-examining the tension, vulnerability, and hunger of youth. The opening lines delivered by Emily Haines: “Let me take you back, it was the start of something, I was there not long before all the stardom. Now I'm in front of you and all I'm seeing is all my flaws." Metric recorded the album at Electric Lady in New York City with co-producers Gavin Brown ,Jimmy Shaw and Liam O’Neil. The band join Broken Social Scene and Stars on the All The Feelings tour this summer.
Broken Social Scene, Remember The Humans (Arts & Crafts) — May 8
Indie rock heroes Broken Social Scene have announced the May 8 release of a new album Remember The Humans, their first new studio album in nearly a decade. This record reunites the Toronto-based collective with producer David Newfeld, who helmed their breakthrough You Forgot It in People (2002) and self-titled 2005 album. Expect these 12 new tracks to feature BSS' signature combination of rich musical atmospheres and melody, as showcased on the opening track and lead single “Not Around Anymore." Noted vocalists contributing include Feist, Hannah Georgas and Lisa Lobsinger. This summer, Broken Social Scene join close comrades Metric and Stars on a triple threat bill that has an extensive North American tour set, beginning in Austin on June 8. Tickets go on sale Feb. 6 here.
Drake, Iceman (OVO Sound) — TBD
Then, there's Drake. The global superstar loves to surprise people by dropping albums without announcing a release date in advance but plenty of advance hype. Drake has been teasing Iceman for many months, and promised in a recent livestream that it is coming in 2026. “We’re focused. I know what you’re waiting on, so trust me. We’re cheffing," he said.
Writing by Kerry Doole
Here is the full list of upcoming Canadian albums with confirmed release dates.
Jan. 30:
Feb. 6:
Feb. 20:
Feb. 27:
Mar. 6:
Mar. 13:
Mar. 19:
Mar. 20:
Mar. 27:
Apr. 3:
Apr. 10:
Apr. 10:
Apr. 17:
May 1:
October 23:
