Katie Mal / "Double Edged Sword"

The Skinny Review:
Katie Mal's third single sees the rising Toronto artist leaning into an indie rock sound while tackling the ups and downs of romantic relationships. The song is catchy and easy to listen to, with clear, straightforward production that allows Katie's vocals and words to stand out and shine.

In Their Own Words:
““Double-Edged Sword” is all about the rollercoaster of relationships when you’re figuring things out. It’s that mix of excitement and uncertainty—how love can feel so thrilling but also complicated, especially when you’re young and still learning what you need.

This song started as a lyrical idea based on reflecting on a past relationship. Once I had the core melody, I worked to balance the upbeat, driving instrumentation with the emotionally honest lyrics. The recording process was done in winter 2024 and I finished the vocals in the summer. Even in the most exciting relationships, love can feel like a double-edged sword. This song is about embracing those contradictions and finding beauty in the chaos.”

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Vitalia / "molly"

 

The Skinny Review:
Ukranian-Canadian artist Vitalia has recently released her new single, "molly". It's an indie-pop bop with a raw, emotional feel. Outlining the complex nature of attraction and betrayal, "molly" tells a vibrant story that is all too relatable.

In Their Own Words:
 “molly” captures the whirlwind experience of falling for someone who changes your life in an instant, showing you a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled way of living. It’s about the rush of connection and the crash of being left behind when they run from the very love they ignited, comparing love to a drug that lifts you up and leaves you crashing down.”

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Amanda Keeley / "Better Days"

 

The Skinny Review:
"Better Days" is a beautiful mix of indie folk and mellow pop, guiding the listener through rich storytelling. Amanda's exceptional vocals weave a tale that finds the positive in moving on and letting go. It feels, more than anything, like a song about strength and self love.

In Their Own Words:
““Better Days” is an uplifting song, a story about the realization a relationship has come to an end. The lyrics touch on the beauty within the contrast of what the experience had to offer.

The words came to me at a time where I needed help processing the loss and letting go of a longtime relationship. I’m grateful for this song finding its way through me as it helped immensely with closure and moving forward from a place of love."

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Heather Avalon / "Use Me"

 

The Skinny Review:
Toronto artist Heather Avalon has just released her new single, "Use Me". The new song sees Heather taking on a more of an energetic rock-forward sound, giving it a more powerful edge. "Use Me" may be about heartbreak and the feeling of being used, but it gives a sense of the artist taking her power back.

In Their Own Words:
"“Use Me” was inspired by moments of weakness in regards to an ex-partner. The song showcases that no matter how far removed from someone you may be, being single can get lonely and sometimes, as human beings, we crave the comfort and validation from a person so much that we allow them to use us."

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Matthew Ryan Jacobs / "Where Are You Now"

 

The Skinny Review:
The latest single by Canadian musician Matthew Ryan Jacobs is another fantastic offering from the artist, with a sound that is mellow but still boasts well-placed rock moments. The guitar riffs show off his skills, while the vocals shine brightly throughout the song.

In Their Own Words:
““Where Are you Now” is mostly about making changes in your life, whether you want to or not. A lot of my writing over the last few years has had a lot to do with getting older or growth; and the struggle of leaving certain things or people in your past. It’s not intended to be a negative narrative, just honest. Even if you know you’re making the right or at least better decision, you still second guess yourself along the way, at least I do."

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Victoria Staff / "My Whole Life Long"

 

The Skinny Review:
Canadian indie-pop artist Victoria Staff has just released her sophomore EP, entitled I Wake Up Smiling :(. The EP features new highlight single "My Whole Life Long," a surprisingly joyful song about finding love. It's a standout gem among the four wonderful songs about the artist's journey through love, life, and mental health.

In Their Own Words:
"Instead of being a cathartic outlet, “My Whole Life Long” finds Staff communicating through a new lens, one where her storytelling is centered around a place of joy. Her public autobiography this time tells the story about love found, not love lost. So many relationships are one sided, but “My Whole Life Long” tells a story where both people were in it together as equals."

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THUNDERCLAP! / "The Littlest Monster"

 

The Skinny Review:
What's Halloween week without a spooky Halloween song? Niagara, ON artist THUNDERCLAP! has just re-released his fan-favourite single, "The Littlest Monster". This song is haunting and theatrical, with a catchy and kooky style that makes it worthy of a spot beside the seasonal classics.

In Their Own Words:
“I wrote the nuts & bolts of this song on Halloween 6 years ago in the deep woods of Quebec with the celebrated writer Leigh Kotsilidis. On the fly I took some friends out to guerrilla film a night of trick or treating, knowing that I was going to release it the following year, sooo it was only 3 weeks before release that I finished the song, recorded a demo, edited the video, got my animator collaborator to do his part, recorded the final version (with Matt Keighan) and abracadabra!

But my most strategic tool for this particular project: a hard deadline, baby…

I toiled for the perfect lyrics although they came relatively fast. I wanted the song to give kids the type of willies that MJ’s Thriller gave me when I was a lad, as well as the fun of the Monster Mash, & I feel I achieved that. It all turned out to have a vaudevillian feel which I didn’t plan for but certainly gives it its own finger print.”

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