Allison Russell has teamed with Norah Jones on “Really Real,” a standout from her new album In the Hour of Chaos, as CBC Music unveiled its weekly list of five new Canadian tracks on July 13.
The list highlights fresh releases from established and emerging artists including Babygirl, Valley, Sophia Bel, Alyssa Reid and Naomi Sharon.
“Really Real” is an ode to steadfast companionship and their voices harmonise on a chorus asking listeners to consider who provides shelter through hardship.
Montreal singer-songwriter Sophia Bel releases “Rat Race,” the first single from her forthcoming album “When the Cows Come Home”. The song marks a shift from pop-punk to airier dream pop, reflecting on burnout following her 2022 debut album and critiquing corporate grind culture.
Toronto duo Babygirl revisits “You Don’t Need a Reason to Call” from their 2025 album Stay Here Where It’s Warm, reimagined with fellow Toronto band Valley for an upcoming deluxe edition. Originally written as a duet, the new version features vocalists Kiki Frances and Rob Laska trading lines on a dream-pop chorus about shared silence and reassurance.
Edmonton-born, Toronto-based artist Alyssa Reid returns with “Honey Butter,” an R&B-infused single that moves away from her earlier pop sound. The track pairs warm bass and shimmering synths with vocals exploring romance and vulnerability.
Naomi Sharon, the first woman signed to Drake’s OVO Sound in 2023, releases “Try” from her latest album No Sleep in Paradise. The album was executive produced by Jordan Ullman of Majid Jordan, who co-produced “Try” with Montreal-born, Grammy-winning producer Kaytranada. The production combines Ullman’s moody synths with Kaytranada’s swinging drums beneath Sharon’s vocal.
CBC Music said the weekly Songs You Need to Hear feature showcases new Canadian music, with additional tracks available on its SYNTH playlist on YouTube.
•Featured image: Norah Jones, left, joins Allison Russell, right, on “Really Real,” off Russell’s new album In the Hour of Chaos. (Joelle Grace Taylor, Getty Images; graphic by CBC Music)