Single Servings: March 4, 2021

By Jason Schneider

Welcome to a new feature here at FYI Music News that each week will highlight five fresh singles by Canadian artists that have caught our attention. The amount of singles we receive for consideration is staggering, and we’ll try our best to give you the cream of the crop. If you hear something you like, please support the artists by grabbing a download or exploring their catalogue further. So without further ado…

The Human Rights – Peace Gun

Release Date: March 5

Label: Independent

Toronto’s Roots Reggae titans return with a first taste of their new album Reggae Strong, due out this summer. Recorded by Patric McGroarty and mixed by Dubmatix, Peace Gun combines a positive message with a heavy old-school rhythm that displays the full power of this eight-piece musical force.

Links: Website, Bandcamp

Jess Benko – Worst Enemy

Release Date: Feb. 26

Label: Independent

Although it’s only been two years since this Toronto artist started writing songs, 18-year-old Benko has quickly amassed a collection of emotionally charged material that has earned millions of Spotify streams and prompted her to pursue a full-time music career. Worst Enemy captures feelings of frustration and self-sabotage, while acknowledging it’s all just part of being human.

Purchase/stream here

Laurence-Anne – Nyx

Release Date: March 5

Label: Bonsound

Montreal's electronica artist Laurence-Anne will release her second full-length album Musivision on April 23, and this new track offers a preview of its funky, disco-inspired elements. It shows Laurence-Anne’s continued determination to be as strange as she wants to be, something also in evidence through Nyx’s delightfully disturbing animated video created by Joey Desjardins.

Purchase/stream here 

Michael J. Foxx and Sydney Sexton – Instant

Release Date: Feb. 15

Label: Independent

Coming off a handful of singles in 2020, this Moncton, New Brunswick-based hip-hop/R&B duo recently released Duality, their first full-length collaboration. Lead off track Instant sums up how they successfully blend Sexton’s more feminine, pop-influenced approach with Foxx’s hip-hop roots forged during his upbringing in New York City. Stream here or here

The Slowinks – One Shoe

Release Date: March 5

Label: Weewerk

Ever have one of those nights out when you end up coming home with only one shoe? That’s the idea behind this first single from Montreal classic country band The Slowinks’ new album Stay With Me Awhile, out April 2. In describing her experience, lead vocalist Felicity Hamer (formerly of United Steelworkers of Montreal) goes full Rose Maddox-meets-Neko Case on this instantly lovable offering. Website here