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Brendan George Ko
BAMBII
Music
Fresh Sounds Canada: New Songs from BAMBII, JESSIA, Ghostkeeper and More
This week's discovery roundup of new Canadian music also features a solo turn from Bria Salmena of FRIGS/Orville Peck and a new song from Senegalese-Quebecois rapper Sarahmée.
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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.
BAMBII feat. Lady Lykez and BEAM, “Spit”
Toronto’s BAMBII has been having a major year. Already established as a sought-after DJ, BAMBII released her debut EP Infinity Club last August to wide acclaim and landed a spot on the Polaris Prize shortlist with it this July, an impressive feat for a first release. Now, hot off the heels of a special appearance at Jamie xx's Brooklyn residency, BAMBII has announced that she's signed with independent French label Because Music. The dance music experimentalist, whose music brings together genres like dancehall, jungle and drum and bass, is celebrating the signing with new single “Spit,” a sticky summer banger. The track features beguiling verses from BEAM and Lady Lykez over sampled breaths and propulsive beats, and will leave you feeling like you're covered in sweat. BAMBII is hinting at a new release later this year, and “Spit” definitely whets the appetite for what’s next. In the meantime, her long-running Jerk party is back during Caribbean Carnival this weekend in Toronto. Tickets are available here. — Rosie Long Decter
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JESSIA, “Happy Without You”
Pop singer JESSIA is stepping into a new phase of her career, parting ways with her label for the new EP Okay With Every Part and embarking on her debut headline tour. The B.C. songwriter went viral in 2021 with “I’m Not Pretty,” leading to a Bebe Rexha collab and a slot opening for OneRepublic, and is now stepping out on her own. In 2024, artists don’t necessarily need a label to make a splash, and on “Happy Without You,” JESSIA sounds like independence is lifting her spirit. The upbeat breakup song, built around a guitar loop that chugs forward with confidence, has space for heartbreak and the promise of sun on the horizon. JESSIA sings about looking forward to feeling better, but with anthemic backing vocals behind her, she sounds like she’s already there. — RLD
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Bria Salmena, “Bending Over Backwards”
Bria Salmena is ready to do her own thing. After stints fronting the noisy Toronto post-punk band FRIGS and backing rising country star Orville Peck, then releasing a pair of her own country cover EPs under the name BRIA, she's now signed to Royal Mountain Records and releasing music under her full name. "Bending Over Backwards" blends bits of country with punk swagger, Salmena's confident vocals, and a taste of pop that's somewhat reminiscent of Madonna's "Beautiful Stranger." It's an alluring combo and a nice taste of things to come. The song is co-produced by Salmena's longtime bandmate and collaborator Duncan Hay Jennings along with Meg Remy of U.S. Girls. — Richard Trapunski
Ghostkeeper, “Raven”
The previous album from Calgary-based Métis experimental pop duo Ghostkeeper (Shane Ghostkeeper and Sarah Houle), Multidimensional Culture, earned a place on the 2023 Polaris longlist. Hopes are high for a new offering, Cîpayak Joy, coming our way on Aug. 28. Advance single “Raven” is described by Shane Ghostkeeper as “a mantra written to manifest a life together, in a good way, with nature.” In true mantra style, the cut revolves around its repetitive core lyric: “We breathe and we pray and we live and we pray and we breathe and we walk.” Shane delivers the lyric in a dramatic voiceover style, atop skittery percussion, pulsating bass and a recurring backing vocal. The effect is seductive. Of note: The new album is produced by Jay Crocker (Joyful Talk, Jon McKiel), a member of an early Ghostkeeper lineup over a decade ago. Shane Ghostkeeper also has multiple performances at the Canmore Folk Festival (Aug. 3-5).— Kerry Doole
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Sarahmée, “Ayoye”
Sarahmée is back in the spotlight with "Ayoye," a new single before the release of her fourth album next October. With this single that follows "Way Too Long," the Quebec rapper reveals herself without concession and expresses herself with a burning authenticity, just in time for Leo season. “I hang out where I want / I eat what I want / I wear what I want / I do what I want,” she says in this hymn to freedom. And she's right. Sarahmée is touring in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa and Laval. — Amélie Revert
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