Ellie Heath / Pushing Forty

    

The Skinny Review:
Canadian singer-songwriter Ellie Heath blends a multitude of styles in her debut album, Pushing Forty. Using influences from pop, synth, indie, and rock, Ellie hits the mark on the the varying feelings during a new life chapter. The album's lead single, "The Sunshine's Mine" is the perfect introduction to the themes, and to the artist herself, with it's bright pop-rock sound.

In Their Own Words:
“Pushing Forty began as a way to document a specific season of life,” Ellie explains. “I was entering the final year of my thirties, moving in with my partner, settling into a home and just about to welcome a dog into our lives. It felt like I was closing certain doors while opening others and I wanted to capture that emotional crossroads; the excitement and the nerves!”

Listen Here:
Spotify
Apple Music
YouTube Music

Follow Here:
Facebook
Instagram 

Your Friend, Death / "Oh Come On!"

    

The Skinny Review:
The latest single from Your Friend, Death is a catchy alt-rock song with big guitar riffs and an energetic sound. It tells the story of trying to hold on to a past relationship before realizing you're better off moving on. Blending catchy melodies with a confident message of self-worth, “Oh Come On!” is a solid rock anthem that leaves a lasting impression.

In Their Own Words:
“Oh Come On!” tells the story of chasing a past lover who’s already moved on and committed to someone else. The lyrics capture the tension of reckless longing and romantic self-destruction, having to put on a facade while knowing you missed your chance. “Our favourite lyric that engulfs the story of the song is: ‘I’ve got room for one more heartache, but that's not enough, not even for me’.”

Listen Here:
Spotify
Soundcloud
YouTube

Follow Here:
Website
Facebook
Instagram

ARK IDENTITY / "Closer"

    

The Skinny Review:
“Closer” is a dreamy indie-synthwave track that blends nostalgic sounds with honest songwriting to capture the feeling of chasing big goals. Inspired by Noah Mroueh’s personal journey, it balances excitement and reflection, creating a warm and uplifting atmosphere. The result is an emotional, feel-good song that stays with you long after it ends.

In Their Own Words:
“One of my favourite lines is ‘Coming home from Hollywood leaves me wanting more.’ That lyric captures the song’s essence, the feeling of chasing something bigger and realizing no matter how close you get, there’s always another level you want to reach,” Noah explains, “I hope listeners connect to the message and are inspired to pursue their own dreams and passions.”


Listen Here:
Spotify
Apple Music
Bandcamp

Follow Here:
Facebook
Instagram

Matthew Ryan Jacobs / "Slow Down"

    

The Skinny Review:
Matthew Ryan Jacobs is back with “Slow Down,” a slow-burning single that stands out with its unique structure and reflective lyrics. The song feels personal yet open-ended, with the artist's usual knack for great lyrics. Smooth vocals and a sharp blend of folk and indie rock give the track a rich and engaging sound.

In Their Own Words:
“The inspiration behind “Slow Down” was to just be honest,” says Matthew Ryan Jacobs. “I wrote almost all of the lyrics before there was any of the music. It also seems that the more personal a song is, the less I typically want to say about it. I don’t think it’s too cryptic, so if you’re listening closely, you can probably figure some of it out.”

Listen Here:
Spotify
Soundcloud
Apple Music

Follow Here:
Website
Facebook
Instagram

MOONRIIVR / "Force of Habit"

    

The Skinny Review:
"Force of Habit" mixes upbeat indie rock energy with a darker emotional edge, as well as vintage-inspired rhythms and surfy guitar tones. The song moves from feelings of loss and frustration into a loud, emotional ending that feels freeing and powerful. The newest single from the upcoming album,  MOONRIIVR Vol. 2, it balances catchy momentum with genuine emotional weight.

In Their Own Words:
At its core, “Force of Habit” is “...about letting go of the past and searching for a new way forward,” the band explains. That emotional arc drives the song’s momentum. What begins as reflective and restrained gradually unravels into beautiful, noisy chaos.

Listen Here:
Spotify
Apple Music
YouTube

Follow Here:
Website
Instagram

Flair / "Ritual"

    

The Skinny Review:
“Ritual” is a dark and gripping release from Flair, capturing the harsh realities of addiction and mental struggle. The band builds an eerie atmosphere with distorted voices and raw lyricism, giving the track a heavy emotional weight throughout. Taken from their forthcoming EP For Lack of a Better Word, the single shows Flair continuing to sharpen their intense post-indie sound.

In Their Own Words:
"Ritual is a hate letter to addiction, and to the ritual of crack dependency. This track was originally our second ever single release. With high hopes as it really was our first attempt at deep, meaningful lyrics that portrayed who we are as a band. As the song has grown and developed, we felt strongly that we should match its growth with a fresh new recording and breathe new life into a song that gets our strongest crowd reaction. We felt Ritual demonstrated the darker, grittier side of our sound, and the perfect complement to Nausea, reminding you that it's always darkest before the dawn."

Listen Here:
Spotify
Apple Music

Follow Here:
Facebook
Instagram

The City Feels / The Great Now

    

The Skinny Review:
The City Feels is the solo project from Toronto-based artist Andrew Champion. The story behind his new EP, The Great Now, is nothing short of remarkable. When life got in the way, good and bad, Andrew had to put the music on hold, working on it in bits and pieces over five years. And the result is a collection of songs that show depth and emotion in an accessible and truly enjoyable style, anchored by the focus track "The City Feels (like home)". With a debut EP this well done, The City Feels is an project to watch out for.

In Their Own Words:
“I just moved to Toronto, it was the beginning of summer, I found myself walking around the city often and feeling inspired by the whole vibe of the city,” says Andrew. “I remember I’d be walking and just thinking of ideas for lyrics or songs, then I’d go home and demo them out. I decided I wanted to create my own record on vinyl, just of my own music. So I started the process of creating the EP.”

Listen Here:
Spotify
Soundcloud
Apple

Follow Here:
Facebook
Instagram