Fresh Sounds Canada: New Songs from Billianne, William Prince, Baby Nova and more

In Fresh Sounds Canada, Billboard Canada puts you on to the must-hear songs of the week by artists on the rise and those about to break. Here's what we're listening to this week.

Billianne, “Modes I”

Three years ago, Billianne scored more than 2 million views and nods from the likes of Taylor Swift for her viral TikTok cover of Tina Turner’s “The Best.” Now, the 22-year-old singer is continuing to build major momentum. Earlier this year, she performed on The Today Show, and her pop track “Crush” peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Canada Hot AC chart. For the popular online performance series Colors, the Ontario native performed “Modes I,” an unreleased song that serves as the opening track on her debut album, Modes of Transportation, out August 15. The stripped-back piano ballad performance showcases her powerful voice in the way that only this series can. Watch it, and you'll get it. – Heather Taylor-Singh

William Prince, “On Rolls The Wheel”

Acclaimed singer/songwriter William Prince had a major rise in the last few years on the strength of his rich, deep voice and deeply-felt lyrics. He's opened for Neil Young, Willie Nelson and The War and Treaty, played NPR's Tiny Desk and impressed on every stage he's played. Prince just announced his new album Further From The Country (out Oct. 17 on Six Shooter) which explores grief, identity and ambition through the lens of his upbringing in Peguis First Nation, Manitoba. "On Rolls The Wheel" is the first taste, and it's one of the more rocking tracks in his arsenal, with lyrics in the classic country-rock tradition. "This song is about ever-moving life," says Prince. "Sometimes it's easier to subtract the lonely miles left in the journey than to think about how far you've already gone." – Richard Trapunski

Baby Nova, “Do You Like That, Baby?”

Hailing from Nova Scotia, Baby Nova, born Kayleigh O’Connor, is an emerging artist with over 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify with only five singles in her discography — all released in 2025. Her newest track, “Do You Like That, Baby?” is a sultry, downtempo moment that boasts dreamy pianos and warm guitar riffs, which creates a strong sonic landscape for her overtly blunt lyricism. With a recent co-sign during Elton John’s Rocket Hour show, Baby Nova is just getting started. On October 5, she’ll be making her festival debut at All Things Go Toronto. – H.T.S

Royal Wood, "Sunshine"

Acclaimed Toronto pop-rock singer/songwriter Royal Wood has notched over 30 million streams, with his recent single, "A Good Enough Day” reaching 4 million on its own. Wood recently announced that a new album, Dear John, will come out on Oct. 17. This upbeat and summery cut shows his easygoing appeal. "'Sunshine’ is inspired by the Buddhist ideology that behind every cloud is a forever blue sky,” Royal Wood says of the track. “No matter the metaphoric storm in life, peace and love are always present. Once you steer your heart with this principle, hope and faith return. I wanted the song to feel like sunshine itself. Like I had it in a bottle, and I could drink it." – Kerry Doole

EDITOR’S PICK: Boldy James and Nicholas Craven “Nice Try Wrong Guy”

Boldy James and Nicholas Craven have returned to their fruitful collaboration. The Detroit rapper and Montreal-based producer released Late to My Own Funeral on July 11, the third in a lineage of fan-favourite albums between the two. From the sinister electric guitar roars on “Marrero” to the triumphant, celebratory drum hits on “Meal Prepping,” the album features some of Craven’s most dynamic and unique instrumentals to date.

“Nice Try Wrong Guy,” the album’s second single, highlights the marriage of Craven’s instrumentals with James’ raps. Over a smooth yet somber soul sample with gloomy piano keys, Boldy James bluntly raps about the unforgiving realities of street life. “Where we grew up in Detroit, not even black lives matter,” he raps on the track. “Preachin' all these sermons to whom it's concernin' / Last time I stepped foot in church, it was a funeral service.” James’ pen is underscored by some of Craven’s most layered production yet. Their synergy is as sharp as ever. – Stefano Rebuli