New: Songs You Need to Hear stream
Each week, staff from CBC Music, Radio 2, 3, Sonica, CBC Hamilton and Whitehorse collect songs they just can't get out of their heads, and make a case for why you should listen, too. Press play below and you may just find your new favourite track.
Let us know in the comments what catches your ear, or if you have new song suggestions. Last week we requested Carly Rae Jepsen's newest in a Canadian-friendly format, and you delivered. What if we ask for St. Vincent's new track in an embeddable format — the one that just aired on Girls? Pretty please.
Jenn Grant, 'Bring Me a Rose'
I'm so happy we're premiering Grant's new music video for this gorgeous song, one of my favourite tracks from her Juno Award-nominated beauty Compostela. The bittersweet longing of lines like, "When I grow up I wanna be/ a picture of my mother holding on to me," tucked against the winter-white landscape is a perfect juxtaposition, visually and emotionally, of working through the grief of losing a parent. — Andrea Warner
Carly Rae Jepsen, 'I Really Like You'
The internet was ablaze last week with the release of Carly Rae Jepsen's "song of the summer," "I Really Like You." The video for the song features Tom Hanks living my dream: walking down the street and singing along to a catchy song in a music video, like Richard Ashcroft in "Bittersweet Symphony" (a more affable version). As down-to-earth as Hanks is in the video, who could compete on a happy scale with pop star Jepsen, whose BFF Justin Bieber shows up at the end to join in the happy dance? All the fun! Oh Carly Rae, we really really really really really really like you. (I get paid by the word.) — Nicolle Weeks
Leon Bridges, 'Coming Home'
Press play and step back. Sink into the sound of Detroit, Chicago and Memphis in the '60s. Step back into struggles and innocence, into old tensions and new love. The sound of Motown and Stax and SAR Records. If you're an emerging artist and you're going to pay homage to that sound — if you're going to tip your hat and heart to the greats — then you had better do it right. Here it is, courtesy of Texas-based singer-songwriter Leon Bridges and his lo-fi sound, hi-fi soul.
— Brad Frenette
Kacey Musgraves, 'Biscuits'
"Mind your own biscuits and life will be gravy." Kacey Musgraves is back to tell truths, y’all, so listen up. "Biscuits" is the first single off Musgraves’s upcoming full-length, and it’s a lyrical sequel to "Follow Your Arrow," off her Grammy-winning debut. Her words travel straight and true, and that country twang is helping me crawl out of winter. Time to own your own crazy, and listen to the future of country.
— Holly Gordon
Oh Wonder, 'Technicolour Beat'
While building the newly launched SYNTH stream, I've discovered some incredible up-and-coming artists who are bound to have huge years in 2015. My favourite discovery so far has been Oh Wonder, a duo out of London, England, that is currently releasing a new track each month for a year. They remind me a lot of Until the Ribbon Breaks, with added female vocals that just perfectly complete the tracks.— Matthew Fisher
Son Little, 'O Mother'
We covered Son Little once before in SYNTH, but he drops tracks that are so hot we just can't ignore them. First, he made us dance. Now he's back with another track that will commandeer your mind, opening the song with the plea, "O mother, why do they treat me like I'm not a man?" The timing of the release of this track, days after a damning report on racist police practices in Ferguson, Mo., is poignant, as Son Little comes off sounding like Marvin Gaye's long lost son. Timely and tuneful, this is a song we need for now but, hopefully, not for long. — Judith Lynch
Adam Washburn, 'Dead of Winter' (Searchlight contestant)
Thomas D'Arcy has taken over lead vocals for the Killers — or at least that's how it sounds in the chorus of this jam from Halifax Searchlight contestant Adam Washburn. "Dead of Winter" will make you want to dust off that old tambourine and play along, even if the song is set in the coldest months of the year.— Kerry Martin, Searchlight associate producer
"Dead of Winter"
Chevy Woods, 'Gold Chainz Gold Daytons'
Wiz Khalifa associate Chevy Woods leaves it all on the floor on his new single, "Gold Chainz Gold Daytons," eschewing clever wordplay for a high-impact delivery filled with raw emotion and unbridled passion. The beat, meanwhile, is full of lush synths and strings, and comes from two Canucks: Rich Kidd and Arthur McArthur. — Chris Dart
Editor's note: language warning, NSFW.
Grimes, 'REALiTi'
Grimes released a new song from her abandoned followup album to 2012’s critically acclaimed Visions, and it's making us wish she had never abandoned it in the first place. Called "REALiTi," it’s dark and dreamy while also being catchy and totally danceable.
— Jesse Kinos-Goodin
Swim Deep, 'To My Brother'
Sick of these late-winter gloomy blues? Birmingham, England's indie-pop hippies Swim Deep have returned, two years after their dreamy debut, with summer vibes cranked to the max on their latest single. "To My Brother" is a kaleidoscope of sparkling synths and groovy riffs tucked under soaring vocals, all inspired by late '80s acid house and even a sprinkle of Motown. It's the soundtrack to your impatient wait for June. — Emma Godmere
Sevdaliza, 'That Other Girl'
UGH. That's what Dutch electronic artist Sevdaliza is saying in "That Other Girl," but in an eloquent, powerful way. The artful technique used in the production of the song alongside tools like Auto-Tune takes it to the next level and draws you in, delivering an emotional sucker punch. At three minutes, the track leaves you wanting more. Because really, who hasn't wanted to be that other girl? — NW
Joni Fatora, 'Blueless Bird'
The vocal talents of Brooklyn native Joni Fatora have previously been featured on synth-driven track "Broken Record," produced by SoySauce, an EDM duo. As a change of pace and style, Fatora’s "Blueless Bird," from the EP Navigator, to be released later in March, highlights her dreamy, soft voice, which complements the gentle acoustic sound. The bossa nova guitar strums and barely there percussion are lulling and warm; the lyrics and rhymes are sweet and simple. It is a beautifully breezy song. — Joan Chung
Keiffer Mclean, 'Jive Turkey'
For being a landlocked province, Saskatchewan is sounding like a beach vacation getaway in this Searchlight entry from Regina's Keiffer Mclean. "Jive Turkey" gives you a laid-back jam from a guy who, though he sounds like he has the musical experience of a longtime veteran, is only 20 years old! — KM
"Jive Turkey"