Fresh Sounds Canada: Charlotte Day Wilson, Ikky & 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's out this week.

Charlotte Day Wilson, “I Don’t Love You”

Toronto-born artist and producer Charlotte Day Wilson sings music infused with a timeless type of soul. The smooth and emotional vocals make her stand out, but her songs have an ineffable universalism that you can hear in "I Don't Love You," a dynamic song about the bittersweet realization you've grown past a partner. It's the same universalism that causes a song like "Work" to be covered by living legend Patti Smith. This single comes from Charlotte Day Wilson's just-announced sophomore album Cyan Blue, which comes out May 3 on Stone Woman Music / XL. - Richard Trapunski

Ikky, “Dushmani”

Ikky's producing fingerprints have been all over the emerging Punjabi Wave, including his Canadian chart history-making collaboration with Karan Aujla, Making Memories, last year. On his new EP Ikky's House, the Toronto artist pushes the still-evolving genre in bold new directions, flirting with more overt club and house influences that drive the dance floor. Those sounds blend in intriguing directions on "Dushmani," a collaboration with artists Uday Shergill and Sophia Fracassi. - Richard Trapunski

Rymz & Mauvaise Bouche, “Big Day”

This song represents a big day, to say the least, for Quebecois rapper Rymz as he continues his rise on the international scene. A few weeks after opening for his compatriot Loud at the legendary Parisian venue L'Olympia, here he is with "Big Day," his latest collaboration with the French artist Mauvaise Bouche and the producer Benjamiin (Dee Holt, Pelch). This melodic and extremely atmospheric hip-hop track — truly in every sense of the term — is like that little ritual we all have after long exhausting hours, bringing us a lot of pleasure and relaxation. - Amélie Revert

Néhémie, “Run”

This Montreal native who is making waves on social media — already garnering over 20,000 views for the music video of "Run" on YouTube in just a few days — has just released her first EP, World of Roses. "Run," her collaboration with SLM, is a chic and smooth R&B song, an ode to female empowerment. The track is visually portrayed in a monochrome aesthetic, evidently inspired by the 1990s, which perfectly complements its spirit. - Amélie Revert

David Myles, “Still Missing You” (feat. May Erlewine).

On May 24, prolific award-winning Maritime singer-songwriter Myles releases a new album, Devil Talking. The first advance single, “Break Free,” is still climbing the CBC Music Top 20 chart, and is now followed by this gently melancholy lament for a lost love. Myles’ melodic vocals are neatly complemented by those of US guest vocalist May Erlewine, while the tasteful use of classical guitar and fluegelhorn adds atmosphere. The tune was co-written and co-produced by Myles and Joshua Van Tassel. "This felt like a classic Bacharach song in some ways," says Myles. "Sometimes a sad song is just what we need to feel less alone." - Kerry Doole