We’re well into the dog days of summer, when the August heat is at its peak, so we’ve got the perfect remedy to keep your playlists refreshingly cool. This week’s instalment of What’s Going On is packed with hot tracks from rising stars and seasoned artists alike, promising to add a splash of excitement to your summer soundtrack. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or gearing up for a late-night drive, these tunes are sure to make the rest of your summer a bit more enjoyable. As always, if you dig what you hear, be sure to stream and follow the artists.
Ra Ra Riot – Indie-pop veterans Ra Ra Riot are back with their second new track of the year, “Friendly Neighbor.” Out now on streaming platforms, the darkly theatrical single has been years in the making, evolving through various albums including Need Your Light and Superbloom. “Friendly Neighbor” blends the band’s signature baroque-pop sound with adventurous production and subtle psychedelic influences that conjure late-’70s Beach Boys while exploring themes of alienation and connection. Featuring lush strings and Wes Miles’ emotive vocals, the track reflects the band’s ongoing evolution. It’s a trip!
“I wrote the beginning of the lyrics one night while my neighbors were having a party,” explains Miles. “But it sort of more broadly turned into something about alienation, and how it feels like basic social interactions are breaking down because of the messed-up rewards of the internet. I felt like the walls we shared — it wouldn’t have mattered if they were three inches or three miles thick.”
Photo Credit: Rowan Daly
Listen to Ra Ra Riot’s new single “Friendly Neighbor” below.
Sofia Camara – Rising Canadian pop sensation Sofia Camara is making waves with her latest single “Do You Love Me,” out now via 21 Entertainment and Universal Music Canada. This contemplative pop ballad has already proven to be a standout in her recent live performances. “Do You Love Me” follows the success of her duet “Myself” with Fernando Daniel and her viral hit “Who Do I Call Now? (Hellbent),” which has amassed over 16.6 million global streams. The 21-year-old Portuguese-Canadian vocalist recently headlined international shows in London and Amsterdam, growing her devoted fanbase globally.
Listen to Sofia Camara’s new single “Do You Love Me” below.
AP Dhillon – Punjabi singer, rapper, and producer AP Dhillon makes a powerful return with his new single “Old Money,” his first release since signing with Republic Records in collaboration with Universal Music Canada. Having racked up over 5 billion streams worldwide and nearly 700M views alone for “Brown Munde,” AP is a top Desi artist globally and made history as the first Punjabi artist to perform at the JUNO Awards. The “Old Money” video got a boost of star power as it features Bollywood icons Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan. AP’s highly anticipated album is due out later this month. Stay tuned for more on that.
Listen to AP Dhillon’s new single “Old Money” below.
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers – There’s big news for Aussie rockers Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers. Not only do they have one of the coolest band names we’ve seen in quite some time, they have signed with New York-based Mom + Pop Music for global representation outside AU/NZ and with Warner Chappell for publishing. They’re celebrating with the release of their new single “Dull” featuring Canadian duo Softcult. This track, a warm, melodic companion to their previous single “I Used To Be Fun,” explores the theme of confronting one’s own thoughts rather than distracting oneself. The band is also set to release a deluxe edition of their debut album I Love You, titled I Love You Too on September 20th. This expanded LP includes three new songs (the aforementioned “Dull”, along with “Please Me,” and “we thought it would be a good time but it was a bad time”) and marks their U.S. debut with a run of shows stateside, including an appearance at Eddie Vedder’s Ohana Festival.
Listen to Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers’ new single “Dull” featuring Softcult below.
charlieonnafriday – Pop rapper and singer-songwriter charlieonnafriday has dropped his infectious new single “Bottle Go Down,” the second track from his highly anticipated album Wild Child. This catchy pop track highlights Charlie’s talent for creating earworms. The Seattle-native is gearing up for his first North American headline tour this month, with a stop in Toronto on August 28th at the Velvet Underground. Following that, he’ll embark on his inaugural European tour and join Tate McRae in Australia later this year. Wild Child is due out August 23rd!
About this new era of music, Charlie said: “I hope this music makes people feel refreshed, but I also hope it gives them a nostalgic feeling. I want it to bring them back to certain memories and help them create new ones, which is what my favourite music always did for me. I really hope this music can do that for you.”
Listen to charlieonnafriday’s new single “Bottle Go Down” below.
King Cruff – Canadian-Jamaican artist King Cruff is back with his new single “VIGILANTE,” released via Tuff Gong Collective/Universal Music Canada. Produced by JUNO-nominated duo Just Ideas and Dyse, the track highlights King Cruff’s genre-blending artistry with a catchy mix of hip-hop, dancehall, reggae, and funk. “VIGILANTE” showcases his poetic lyricism, vibrant rhythms, and inventive soundscapes, reflecting his creative confidence and philosophical depth. As he hits the festival circuit, his recent single “PROPPA GHANDA,” featuring Banx & Ranx has been climbing the Top 40 charts.
“When I went into the studio, I had the word ‘vigilante’ in mind,” says King Cruff. “I wanted to challenge myself to build a song around that word and the energy of being up against something and having to prove yourself. So that’s why in this track, I perform the verses with a stealthy vocal approach that evolves into a strong execution.” King Cruff describes working with Just Ideas and Dyse as, “absolute mayhem. We have such a similar vision that it’s easy to come out with tracks that rock. The mandem are versatile, they can do pretty much everything.”
Listen to King Cruff’s new single “VIGILANTE” below.
