“Fake Fame” by Dear Rouge

Dear Rouge has come roaring back with a very timely single, “Fake Fame”. The song takes aim social media influencers and socialites, with a huge (and incredibly catchy) tune that takes the band’s sound to new heights.

Singer Danielle McTaggart says "Stardom is alluring and fascinating. It can also be toxic, destructive, and entrapping. Just before writing this song, I actually deleted all social media from my phone. It felt like a small act of rebellion against the anxiety and pressure I felt. In our digital age where anyone can blow up overnight, or one can buy followers and validation, what does notability mean? “Fake Fame” is our attempt to answer to this question. It examines our addiction to technology, social media culture, fast fashion, and the tension between desiring and despising fame.”

While there’s no specific date for Danielle & Drew’s upcoming third album, they tease it will be out early next year.

Kirk

“Strong” by Arkells

Do you have your tissues ready?

Arkells are on the verge of releasing their new album Blink Once on September 22nd, and after bangers and bops, this week we got a ballad.
”Strong” is written for/about their college friend Dr. Barbara Tatham, reflecting on the period of time while she was battling cancer. It’s a beautiful song about resilience and finding small moments of joy where you can.

Christine

“I'm Your Man” by The Tom Fun Orchestra

My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw there was brand new music from The Tom Fun Orchestra — mostly since we haven’t heard much from the Nova Scotian band in nearly a decade.

But if “I’m Your Man” is any indication, the group hasn’t lost a step since their 2012 album Earthworm Heart. Ian MacDougall’s growl still blends perfectly with the lovely voice of Breagh Potter, as the song builds to a bombastic finish.

Along with the single, the band put out the following tease, and I really hope it’s the latter:

“Is this just a one-off single release for a lark; or a sign of more to come? It is almost probably one or the other. Who knows. Whatever happens, we hope you like it.”

Kirk

“Chew Quietly / Clean Slate” by Megan Nash & the Best of Intentions

Last week, Megan Nash dropped a brand new song in advance of their latest album, Soft Focus Features.

“Chew Quietly / Clean Slate” is a gorgeous song that breaks down into a melancholic second half, with Nash describing the song as about “anxiety and hope and dating after a divorce and just wanting things to work out this time. It's about longing for intimacy and stability. It's about that twist in the gut when you see your crush. It's about feeling unbelievably awkward. It's about trying again.”

Soft Focus Features is out November 3, and take a look at the impressive video for the songs below, shot entirely in one take!

Kirk