Fresh Sounds Canada: Marie-Pierre Arthur, Geoffroy 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's out this week.

Marie-Pierre Arthur, “Paradis”

Marie-Pierre Arthur took her time to get to Paradise. The singer-songwriter, a key player on the Quebec scene, has announced her fifth album coming next fall. "Paradis" envelops us in a groovy flow and ultra comforting lyrics. «Je t'ai trouvé un endroit / Un paradis juste à toi / Où se calmeraient tous tes sens / Il faut que tu respires / À l'abri du vertige / Faut que tu respires» she sings. In English, that's “I found you a place / A paradise just for you / Where all your senses would calm down / You have to breathe / Protected from vertigo / You have to breathe." A reward for those who are patient. - - Amélie Revert

Geoffroy, “C.A.Y.A.”

Montreal songwriter and producer Geoffroy has re-emerged with “C.A.Y.A.” and it’s a big a statement. Straying away from his third LP’s indie-folk “man-and-his-guitar” sound, the song off his upcoming album Good Boy brings an extra dose of confident swagger and a suave and sexy sound. Combined with a pair of sunglasses and a beach fit, it’s an easy addition to a summer soundtrack. The album represents a host of purported new African and Latin influences on the upcoming album, out June 14. A lot to look forward to. - Pablo Gonzalez Legendre

Kel-P feat. Chikoruss, “In My Feelings”

Kel-P is a producer and artist with fingerprints on many of Afrobeats' biggest hits, from Burna Boy to Rema. Now, he links up with Montreal singer Chikoruss for a new version of his song "In My Feelings," which originally featured French rapper Kalash. The new version is a quick and tasty nugget of summer-friendly throwback R&B, dancehall and Afrobeats that fits together perfectly and goes down easy. - Richard Trapunski

The Anti-Queens, “Crusade”

This is the second advance single from Disenchanted, the sophomore full-length from The Anti-Queens that is coming out on May 17. The the Toronto punk-rock outfit has undergone personnel changes since launching in 2012, but vocalist/guitarist/founder Emily Bones and guitarist Valerie Knox lead the current incarnation with passion and high energy. Obvious comparison points include L7 and Hole, but on this track the group goes outside genre norms by delivering an intensely political message. “Crusade” takes aim at Canada’s treatment of its Indigenous people, with the rousing chorus declaring that “I wanna be on the true side of history, All inclusive humanity, We wanna see a shift in our society, Do we really stand on guard for thee?” The message gets delivered in a to-the-point three minutes via a solid wall of sound finessed by co-producers Dave Baksh (of Sum 41) and Steve Rizun. - Kerry Doole

EDITOR’S PICK: Fernie, “Pain”

“What is this life I’ve been chasing?” Montreal singer Fernie asks on new single, “Pain,” his first release on Secret City Records. The vulnerable ballad, produced by singer-songwriter Patrick Watson, is a cathartic expression of emptiness and loss. More than the lyrics, it’s Fernie’s remarkable voice that conveys the feeling: his falsetto on the chorus is a piercing cry, the kind of vocal that gives goosebumps. Watson adds tender strings and, eventually, a gentle beat behind Fernie’s voice, making sure never to pull focus. The rising artist, who has performed at select international showcases in the past year, will take the stage at Montreal Jazz Fest for a free show this summer. If “Pain” chronicles feelings of uncertainty and despair, the track itself is a confident statement from an artist who isn’t holding anything back. Here, Fernie sounds ready to soar. - Rosie Long Decter