The strange states we find ourselves in while growing are where NICKY MACKENZIE‘s soulful upcoming EP MORALS was born. Leaving behind the safe familiarity of adolescence, MORALS is an exploration of the emotional landscape the 23-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter has traversed in the years since her debut album, 2018’s Honeydew. In that time, MacKenzie has left her hometown, navigated shifting relationships, graced the stages of huge festivals, and played intimate shows. In the background, she’s worked on new collaborations and participated in prestigious songwriting workshops, constantly pushing the boundaries of her artistry. The tracks on MORALS are a record of this growth.
The EP’s title track, ‘Morals,’ is about being a people pleaser your whole life until you decide to start saying no and walk away from situations that don’t serve or even entertain you anymore. Your moral values change when you begin to prioritize yourself. You can blame your vices on others, or you can own up to them and decide to not care.
“I wanted to create something catchy that also has a deeper cathartic meaning to it. I think it’s a feeling everyone has eventually, needing to just let go of doubt and give in to your wants. I just wanted to give it a bit of a sassy tone” – Nicky MacKenzie
Why not check out the official video to ‘Morals’ below…
,British Columbia hip-hop duo SNOTTY NOSE REZ KIDS (SNRK) have released their latest single ‘Cops With Guns Are The Worst!!!’ in support of the Wet’suwet’en pipeline protests currently taking place across Canada.
The latest single will appear on SNRK’s upcoming EP, ‘Born Deadly’, set to arrive next month (3rd April) and comes hot on the heels of single, ‘Real Deadly.’
Next month, the guys will head out on their first ever U.S. headlining tour, which kicks off April 12 in Portland, OR and wraps up June 13 in Detroit.
‘Cops With Guns Are The Worst!!!’ represents a response to the current eviction notice that was served by the Unist’ot’en People to Coastal Gaslink in Northern British Columbia — Wet’suwet’en territory — and an expression of solidarity with the protests sparked by the eviction notice. Coastal Gaslink have proposed a 670-kilometer fracking gas pipeline to run through the mountains from Dawson Creek to Kitimat, BC. The proposal does not have the support of First Nations leaders and communities because the lands of British Columbia are unceded, meaning Indigenous people never sold or transferred the land to the Canadian government. The rightful land-owners should have control of what forms of industry happen on their lands, and as land protectors, Indigenous people are standing up to big business to protect the land and environment for future generations.
Snotty Nose Rez Kids
Protests have swelled across Canada, and protesters have come up against injunctions, police brutality, and heavy-handed tactics by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. And yet, the movement continues to grow. SNRK’s music, in particular anthemic songs like “Skoden,” “KKKanada,” “Johnny’s Teeth,” “The Warriors,” and “The Resistance,” have been at the center of all of this, played at protests and incorporated into chants. SNRK wanted to offer a new song in response to the current anti-pipeline movement. “Cops With Guns Are The Worst!!!” highlights police brutality and the perseverance of Indigenous people in times of struggle.
Discussing “Cops With Guns Are The Worst!!!” and the anti-pipeline movement, Yung Trybez and Young D stated, “People close to us have been on the ground day in and day out putting their lives on the line to protect all our futures. We’re obviously frustrated by the lack of respect for Indigenous land rights and ownership, but watching the RCMP arresting our people for defending their land and protecting their territory, we felt rage. There’s such a long history of RCMP inflicting violence on our people and that rage boiled over into this song. ‘Cops With Guns Are The Worst!!!’ is a rager, and for us this was the only way to tell that story. We see the Indigenous youth leading the current blockades. They’re fighting not just for the future of tomorrow, but for the future of today. This song was made specifically for them.”
Check out ‘Cops With Guns Are The Worst!!!’ below…
The Northwest Kid (Gitxsan) and Travis Hebert aka Heebz the Earthchild (Cree/Metis) – otherwise known as MOB BOUNCE – get in-tune with nature for their brand new video for track, ‘Keys to the Forest’.
Just like their previous releases, ‘Keys to the Forest’ is deep-rooted in their cultures and ceremonies, coupled with the power of hip-hop culture from a contemporary Indigenous perspective.
The duo’s latest joint comes from their new album ‘Transformation’, released on Friday (16th August).
Check out the video for ‘Keys to the Forest’ below:
Canadian synth pop group CROATIA makes an entry on NEW LEASE MUSIC with a brand new music video to their latest single, ‘Make Circles’.
Boasting a stunning fusion of soft electronics and synthed-up pop, the four-and-a-half minute release embodies their heavy influence of the 80’s. Frontman Justin Campbell’s memersing vocals perfectly glides along the hazy combo, adding that magical and spine-tingling sensation.
‘Make Circles’ is the first single from their forthcoming EP, ‘Half Dreams’, set for release in the spring. In the meantime, check out the equally hazy visuals to their newest offering (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
New Lease Music 