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.

Orville Peck & Willie Nelson, “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other”

Masked Canadian country crooner Orville Peck has had a quick rise from Sub Pop buzz artist to major label heatseeker. Following his recent signing to Warner Records, he now has a huge co-sign from outlaw icon Willie Nelson, who's hot right now after his guest spot on Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter. The two join up for a duet of Ned Sublette's "Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other." Both artists had previously covered the song separately — Nelson in 2006, right around the time of Brokeback Mountain, and Peck in 2019 for a live SiriusXM session — but their voices come together for this queer subversion of the wild west cowboy trope. "What do you think all them saddles and boots was about?" they ask. Peck has announced the duet is from Stampede, an upcoming duets album. He'll hit the road soon, rolling through Toronto, Vancouver and Edmonton this summer. - Richard Trapunski

Kaïa Kater feat. Allison Russell, “In Montreal”

Two Grenadian-Canadian rootsy singer-songwriters join up for this ode to Montreal. “I’ve left and returned so many times that it now feels like ghosts of my former selves haunt the city," says Kaïa Kater, calling the song a nod to Montreal's long list of poets and songwriters like Leonard Cohen, and Kate and Anna McGarrigle. She's a great partner for Allison Russell, who's living in Nashville these days but still has Montreal in her bones as she duets with Hozier on the Hot 100 and performs with Joni Mitchell at the Grammys. Over the plucky sounds of banjo and strings, the two capture the city's unique spirit in a romantic character study. - RT

Tyler Shaw, “Clairvoyant”

Tyler Shaw has been touted as a future prospect as a major Canadian pop star for a good number of years now, and it feels like any moment could be his breakout. He started to get there last year with "Love You Still," his viral "romantic version" response song to GAYLE's "abcdefu." His new single "Clairvoyant" goes heavier on sticky melodies than that flipped ballad. Co-written by Teddy Reimer (Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd) and Griffen Palmer (Diplo, Chelsea Cutler, The Band Camino), it's a light and laid-back tune about craving second-sight clarity, but the pop zen he achieves makes it feel like Shaw is already there. - RT

Boogát & Maï, “Siempre Bailo”

Quebec City’s Boogát is back with a new album set for release in April, his first full-length since 2017. The album, Del Horizante, will employ Boogát’s signature blend of hip-hop and Latin music genres to explore themes like immigration and decolonization. On “Siempre Baile,” Boogát provides a hint of what’s to come. With the assistance of Montreal’s Maï, a thumping kick drum and a gritty guitar solo, Boogát crafts a vibrant ode to the therapeutic powers of movement. “Siempre Baile” is ready-made for an outdoor dance floor, designed to mingle with late July heat. Listening to it after an April snowstorm has me feeling like summer can’t come fast enough. — Rosie Long Decter

Jill Barber, "Padam Padam"

Few Canadian artists have had a career as musically varied as B.C.-based singer-songwriter Jill Barber. Her albums have traversed folk, jazz and pop terrain, and she is one of just a few Anglophone artists to have had a hit with a French-language album. Her French debut, Chansons, has received an astonishing 120 million streams since its release a decade ago, and a just-announced sequel, ENCORE!, comes out on June 14. The album features new interpretations of classic songs by Charles Trenet, Blossom Dearie, Django Reinhardt and Edith Piaf. Barber takes on “Padam Padam,” the same song that Kylie Minogue recently riffed on in her comeback single. The Barber take may not match Piaf’s dramatic power, but her lovely clean vocal and the authentic sound of the production (courtesy Grammy nominee Drew Jurecka) make this a treat. - Kerry Doole