New & Upcoming Canadian Albums: Justin Bieber Delivers 'Swag II,' Joni Mitchell Explores Her Jazz Side

This week's new Canadian albums includes a global pop superstar's sequel album, alongside releases from two music icons.

Leading the way, with virtually no advance notice, is Justin Bieber's Swag II, the sequel to Swag, the album he released back in July. That record debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, and its R&B focus led it to No. 1 on the Top R&B Albums chart, but reports suggest the sequel is more pop-focused. It certainly enhances Bieber's return to the spotlight after a significant absence.

Today's new releases include a keenly anticipated collection from Joni Mitchell. The groundbreaking artist has long been influenced by jazz, and that is showcased on Joni's Jazz, described as a definitive collection chronicling the influence of the genre on her career. It is a massive 8 LP vinyl box set and 4 CD collection. Toronto station JAZZFM 91 explores it in depth here.

Another eagerly awaited release from a Canadian legend is Here You Are, from Anne Murray. It is a collection of 11 newly found, unreleased songs from the much-loved songbird.

Also out this week is Wide Open Spaces, from award-winning veteran folk singer-songwriter Connie Kaldor, acclaimed rapper JayWood's Leo Negro, Better by Toronto alt-rock band Altered By Mom, Short Stories from jazz vocalist and composer Don Macdonald and Answer Me Smartass, from Calgarian art-pop artist Celogen.

Here is the full release calendar:

August

27: Octoberman, Chutes (Ishmalia Records)

29: The Beaches, No Hard Feelings (AWAL)

29: Bryan Adams, Roll With The Punches (Bad Records)

29: Lhasa Petik, THYMIA (Friends of Friends)

29: Ron Sexsmith, Hangover Terrace

September

5: Anne Murray, Here You Are

5: Joni Mitchell, Joni’s Jazz

5: Guilhem, A Good One

5: Altered by Mom, Better

5: JayWood, Leo Negro (Royal Mountain Records/ Captured Tracks)

5: Don Macdonald, Short Stories

5: Connie Kaldor, Wide Open Spaces

5: Celogen, Answer Me Smartass

5: Cecilia Kang, The Han and Heung Odyssey (Albany Records)

11: Lauren Ash, Call Me When You Get This

12: Camilla Sparksss, ICU Run (On The Camper Records)

12: Jordan Armstrong, This Engine

12: Peter Campbell, Haunted Melody

12: Handsome Tiger, Diaspora II

12: Carson McHone, Pentimento (Merge Records)

12: Justin Karas, Flowers Wild Abound

12: Lynn Jackson, Mirrors (Busted Flat)

12: Jordan Armstrong, This Engine

12: David Occhipinti, Camera Lucida (Elastic Recordings)

16: The Blue, So Look At The Bright Side

19: Headstones, BURN ALL THE SHIPS

19: Yukon Blonde, Friendship & Rock 'n' Roll (Dine Alone)

19: Daniel James McFadyen, Back To The Country

19: Dun-Dun Band - Pita Parka, Pt. II : Nim Egduf (We Are Busy Bodies)

19: Mappe Of, Afterglades ( Paper Bag Records)

19: Matt Patershuk, DOG. TIGER. HORSES. (Black Hen Music)

19: Jon Stancer, Are We Not Here For Fun? (Weeeee! Records)

19: Afternoon Bike Ride, Running With Scissors (Friends of Friends)

19: Sarah McLachlan, Better Broken ( Concord Records)

19: Josh Ross, Later Tonight (UMC)

26: Coeur de Pirate, Cavale

26: Sloan, Based on the Best Seller

26: Absolute Losers, In The Crowd (Paper Bag)

26: The Young Novelists, These Dark Canyons

26: Scott Hardware, Overpass

26: Beta Trip, Superette (Having Fun)

26: The Bapti$, Pop Cult(ure)

October

3: Robert Adam, Governed by the Seasons

3: Laura Hickli, dark secrets

3: The Penske File, Reprieve (Stomp Records)

9: Babygirl, Stay Where It's warm (Arts & Crafts)

9: Vivek Shraya, New Models

10: The Besnard Lakes, The Besnard Lakes Are the Ghost Nation (Full Time Hobby)

10: Valley Voice, Stars, Engines (Elastic Recordings)

10: Great Lake Swimmers, Caught Light

15: Brodie Christ, Big Feelings

16: Fredy V & The Foundation, No Tribe No I

17: The Barr Brothers, Let It Hiss (Secret City)

17: bbno$, S/T

17: Rachel Bobbitt, Swimming Towards the Sand (Fantasy)

17: Oranje, In Irons

17: Royal Wood, Dear John (Cordova Bay Records)

17: Beauts, Marigolds

17: Alix Fernz, Symphonie publicitaire sous influence

17: Terra Lightfoot - Home Front (Sonic Unyon)

17: Larker, Romanticide

21: The Boojums, S/T (Having Fun/We Are Busy Bodies)

24: Ark Identity, Deluxe Nightmare

24: Julianna Riolino, Echo In The Dust

24: John Borra, Last Dance at The E Room

24: Begonia, Fantasy Life (Birthday Cake Records)

24: Jerry Leger, Waves Of Desire (DevilDuck Records)

24: Jory Nash, The Light Still Shines On The Main

24: The Strumbellas, Burning Bridges Into Dust (Glassnote Records)

29: Evan Redsky, THE LANGUAGE OF FISHERMEN

31: Shad, Start Anew (Secret City Records)

November

1: SHEBAD, Music is the Answer (Stripped)

7: Jade Lemac, It's Always At Night (Warner Music Canada)

7: Niall Mutter, Silver

7: Crasher, Odditi Populaire

7: Peter Katz, Everything Unfolding

12: Rise Carmine, Come In Closer (Paper Bag Records)

14: Austra, Chin Up Buttercup (Pink Fizz/Domino)

January 2026

30: Softcult, When A Flower Doesn’t Grow, (Easy Life Records)