It’s a new week, so that means a new instalment of What’s Going On. From underground buzzmakers and rising Canadian voices to a fun millennial throwback act, there’s a lot to unpack. As always, if you dig what you hear, be sure to follow and stream these artists.
Hoobastank – Guys, it’s finally happened. We’ve got the return of Hoobstank. After a nearly decade-long drought of new music, the 2000s alt-rock holdovers dropped their new single “How Do You Sleep?” that saw them reunite with longtime producer Howard Benson. With big riffs and even bigger hooks, the track is a fine return to form for “The Reason” hitmakers. And of course, the band debuted the new song at Warped Tour. Where else?
Listen to Hoobastank’s new single “How Do You Sleep?” below.
Trace Remains – Pittsburgh rockers Trace Remains kick off a new chapter with “Breathing Air,” a soaring alt-rock anthem that wrestles with self-doubt, conformity, and the pressures of living in an attention-driven world. The single finds the band exploring big questions about identity and validation, but fear not, it’s still a fun listen. “Breathing Air” serves as the first taste of their upcoming Zero Hour EP, which is due out later this year.
Listen to Trace Remains’ new single “Breathing Air” below.
TyriqueOrDie – Toronto dance disruptor TyriqueOrDie is out with “6IXSIDE,” a reminder that Toronto Pride is right around the corner. The ode to Toronto’s nightlife, neighbourhoods, and queer-positive dance parties should get a lot of burn this coming weekend in the city when everyone descends on Church Street for Pride festivities. Produced by Jon Santana, “6IXSIDE” is the hometown anthem that the city’s burgeoning dance community needed.
Listen to TyriqueOrDie’s new single “6IXSIDE” below.
Stay Out – Oakland punks Stay Out mean business on “No Escape,” a high-energy blast of East Bay urgency through a modern pop-punk lens. A staple on their local punk scene since 2016, the band has sharpened their sound into something both anthemic and deeply raw. Written from the perspective of isolation and small-town stagnation, the track turns rage into release with screaming vocals and huge hooks built for shouting into the void together, not alone.
Listen to Stay Out’s new single “No Escape” below.
Shareef – It’s undeniable that Toronto’s rap scene is on fire, so it’s nice to see local rapper Shareef back in action. The 23-year-old Sudanese-Canadian artist’s new single “WSP!” is confident and smooth, and it also has a unique twist with anime-inspired vocal samples. Shareef has a knack for pairing his catchy flow with a sense of boundless ambition, and that’s on full display on the new single. We’re excited to see what Shareef does next!
Listen to Shareef’s new single “WSP!” below.
