TALK’s First Single in Three Years, 'Time Machine,' Lands on the Billboard Canada Airplay Charts
Also this week: Nickelback’s Wrestlemania hit “Bones For the Crows” rises to No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock chart.
TALK is going back in time on the Billboard Canada Airplay charts.
The breakout artist’s new single, “Time Machine” debuts at No. 25 on the Billboard Canada Modern Rock Airplay chart this week, dated May. 16. It’s the first song from the Stittsville, Ontario native in three years.
Powered by an acoustic guitar, the heartfelt song opens with an emotive vocal performance from the singer-songwriter. Building a wistful momentum throughout the verses, the track peaks with a power chord-driven chorus. As TALK longs to undo certain life situations, the song tempers into a fuzzed-out distortion, concluding with certainty: “Oh, I’ll be in my time machine,” he sings. It’s a pensive moment for the rising act as he ushers in a new era.
“I’m one of those people kept up at night by mistakes I’ve made in the past,” TALK explains. “The world spins fast, life goes quick. Every person, at some point in their lives, has made a wish for a time machine to go back and fix some dumb mistakes. This song represents mine.”
While listeners are basking in his comeback, the vocal powerhouse has other reasons to celebrate.
Earlier this month, he signed with Big Loud Rock in the U.S., the rock/alternative imprint of Nashville’s Big Loud Records, marking “Time Machine” as his first release with the indie label stateside in partnership with Sandy Pandya’s Toronto-based music company, ArtHaus in Canada.
TALK is no stranger to the Airplay charts. His 2023 debut album Lord of the Flies & Birds & Bees has been certified multiplatinum and breakthrough hit "Run Away to Mars" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay chartAdult Alternative Airplay chart.
At No. 22, The Beaches debut with “Should’ve Known Better.”
Perfectly capturing the "lightbulb moment" of realizing a relationship was a disaster from the start, the Toronto rock act blends the band’s signature gritty garage-rock roots with a polished indie-pop sheen. It’s a masterclass in pushing the high-energy of a song forward even when the lyrics get vulnerable.
“I was down to love you, babe / But honey, I should've known better,” sings frontwoman Jordan Miller.
After weeks of teasing the track on social media, “Should’ve Known Better” marks the first taste of the deluxe edition of 2025’s No Hard Feelings, out next month. With it, the quartet of sisters Jordan and Kylie Miller, along with Leandra Earl and Eliza Enman-McDaniel, have added yet another standout track to their lexicon of breakup anthems.
It’s their second entry on the Modern Rock chart this week, joining “Can I Call You in the Morning?” which drops 9-11.
Despite Arkells and Portugal. The Man’s “Money” reaching Modern Rock’s top spot last week, the two groups drop to No. 2 as Noah Kahan’s “The Great Divide” climbs back to No. 1.
On the Mainstream Rock chart, Nickelback’s “Bones For The Crows” rises to No. 1 after five weeks. The theme song for last month's Wrestlemania 42, WWE's flagship premium live event, the punchy track exudes their classic hard rock sound. The track nicely fits beside their earlier work, which solidified their status as one of the country’s major rock acts in the late '90s and early 2000s.
The other debut on Mainstream Rock is Theory of A Deadman’s “Barricade” at No. 23 — another win for 2000s CanRock bands.
Pivoting to Canada Country, Zach McPhee arrives at No. 57 with “The Way I Know You Now.”
Blending the singer’s country twang with a contemporary sound, McPhee’s classic, heartfelt storytelling swells throughout the song. Of the track, the B.C.-native shares that he felt drawn to the track — penned by Payton Smith, Jonathan Hutcherson and Brad Rempel — from the first listen.
“It so perfectly captures the relationship I share with my wife, Addie – from our first dates to the life we’ve built together as a married couple and now as parents to our son,” he says. “Lyrically and sonically, it reflects the most important connection in my life, and I’m incredibly grateful to the writers for letting us bring it to life.”
It’s been a major month for the rising country singer. In April, he signed a global distribution deal with Warner Music Canada’s ADA, the label’s independent distribution and artist services arm — “The Way I Know You Now” serves as McPhee’s first release in the deal.
Meanwhile, Rosewood’s Ave “Leavin' Town” debuts at No. 43 on Country.
Elsewhere, Les Cowboys Fringants alum JF Pauzé arrives at No. 40 with “Puisqu'Il Faut” on Hot AC.
Bruno Mars reclaims the top spot on CHR/Top 40 with “I Just Might” returning to No. 1 amongst his chart-topping placement on All-Format, AC and Hot AC. Another Mars single, “Risk It All,” rises 21-20 on CHR/Top 40 and sits at No. 29 on Hot AC. Luke Combs’ “Sleepless In A Hotel Room” remains at No. 1 on Country, in its 18th week on the chart.
Check out the Billboard Canada Airplay charts here.
