Music

Genre: Pop
Sound: Futuristic synths and drum tones over near-constant vocal layering, with the occasional ukulele accompaniment.
If you like: Troye Sivan, Ryan Beatty, Emotions-era Carly Rae Jepsen
Why you should listen: The 19-year-old Torontonian’s major label debut is full of the confidence of an artist 10 years into the game. His nostalgia-soaked tales of past relationships bruise and shimmer in equal measure.
Best track: blur

Genre: Pop
Sound: Clubby house beats underscore a love letter to the Black queer party community
If you like: Grace Jones, queer house music, Y2K-era Beyoncé
Why you should listen: In this remarkable followup to an already inimitable catalogue, pop mastermind Beyoncé has done the impossible: she’s made us want to dance. This album is a rallying cry to find joy, confidence, and community during difficult times.
Best track: Alien Superstar

Genre: R&B
Sound: Staggering vocal range, from fast rhymes to powerful belts, over smooth beats
If you like: Sabrina Claudio, H.E.R., Daniel Caesar
Why you should listen: This Grammy-nominated and Juno Award-winning R&B icon returns with her sophomore album, paying homage to her Colombian and Canadian roots, both lyrically and musically.
Best track: Only One

Genre: Indie pop
Sound: A triumphant celebration of great pop music
If you like: MUNA, Lucy Dacus, Caroline Rose
Why you should listen: Not many musical artists can say that their new album is part of their Harvard Masters project, but Maggie Rogers managed to write an intertwining thesis and stunning sophomore album to follow up her breakout success. She sings with all confidence and sincerity in this collection of songs.
Best track: Shatter

Genre: Rock
Sound: Classic, fast-paced rock instrumentation with a distinct vocal twang
If you like: I Mother Earth, Treble Charger, The Trews
Why you should listen: When lead singer Hugh Dillon isn’t starring on the TV series Mayor of Kingstown, he’s writing rock and roll that feels simultaneously fresh and timeless, and alternates between frantic and carefree. And solid return from legendary Canadian band
Best track: Ashes

Genre: R&B
Sound: Echo tones laced with smooth soulful R&B rhythms
If you like: Tinashe, Normani, Jon Vinyl
Why should you listen: Oozing with soft ballads while caressing along rippling basses, this eighttrack EP carries you along a suffocating yet liberating relationship. The Torontobased artist flows from ballad-infused sound to an edgy R&B throughout the EP.
Best Track: All I Want

Genre: Indie rock
Sound: A journey of genres with electric guitars, vocal harmonies and piano interludes
If you like: Diet Cig, illuminati hotties, PONY
Why you should listen: In a wild blend of guitar solos, country riffs and ’80s-esque synths, Canadian duo Partner return with an homage to film soundtracks and late night drives.
Best track: Time Is a Car

Genre: Hip hop
Sound: A dose of hip hop’s sonic evolution with thought-provoking lyricism
If you like: Queen Latifa, Haviah Mighty, Notorious B.I.G.
Why should you listen: Delicately packaged with lo-fi and old school hip hop, this album is chiseled with rhymes curated to empower the Black diaspora. The Calgary-based artist had to release herself from own misperceptions to curate this album.
Best Track: TRICKY

Genre: Hip hop
Sound: A swan song filled with boom-bap beats and razor-sharp bars
If you like: Lupe Fiasco, Action Bronson, Wu-Tang Clan
Why you should listen: Logic’s seventh album marks his final release with Def Jam Recordings. The Maryland rapper goes all in with verbose and passionate bars pulling back the curtains in his career, featuring voicemail skits from Morgan Freeman and Chicago rapper Earl Sweatshirt while referencing legendary hip hop producer J Dilla.
Best track: Tetris

Genre: Indie Rock
Sound: Rolling synth lines, dreamy distortion and atmospheric vocals
If you like: Best Coast, Ducks Ltd, 2nd Grade
Why you should listen: Prince Edward Island-raised, world-travelled and now Toronto-based, this indie rock four-piece return with their vibey third album. It’s the ideal soundtrack for your next late night downtown commute; a jam session with a touch of wistfulness.
Best track: Night Vision

Genre: Electronic/Hip hop
Sound: Warm, meditative lo-fi hip hop made for long road trips
If you like: Beatchild, J Dilla, The Kount
Why you should listen: A beat-making legend, this Guelph-based producer’s elegant album is a reflective journal of being indoors during the pandemic. It features dreamy lo-fi hip hop instrumentation with slick transitions as an escape from reality and encouragement to explore the outdoors.
Best track: Tokyo Sunset (ft. Manami Otsuka)

Genre: Indie rock
Sound: Intricate guitar riffs, driving percussion and layered vocals
If you like: Kurt Vile, Kathleen Edwards, Chuck Prophet
Why you should listen: This beloved and justifiably celebrated Toronto band deliver their best album yet featuring their special blend of rock and roll with country western influences and some surf vibe thrown in. The album features the supreme talents of late singer and guitarist Dallas Good. The band will now tour as a trio.
Best track: Cut Up High and Dry

Genre: Alternative rock
Sound: Gripping guitar hooks and spine-chilling soundscapes
If you like: Muse, Cold War Kids, Death From Above 1979
Why you should listen: Silversun Pickups have reinvigorated their sound with this new album. The songs are thick with brooding melodies, and the music coaxes listeners to being submerged in its groove.
Best track: Hidden Moon

Genre: Pop/rock
Sound: Big show tune-esque anthems with great fanfare
If you like: All Time Low, Mayday Parade, The All-American Rejects
Why you should listen: Ever the show-off, Brendon Urie never misses the chance to belt at the top of his lungs about Las Vegas and lost love — because he does it so well. His musical stylings wouldn’t be out of place on a Broadway stage at all.}
Best track: Viva Las Vengeance

Genre: Rock
Sound: Guitars reminiscent of the ’70s and ’80s
If you like: The Stooges, Judas Priest, Ghost
Why you should listen: A household name in Toronto’s indie rock scene for his years fronting C’mon and Change of Heart among other things, Ian Blurton teams up with members of Blue Rodeo and City and Colour to deliver some epic psychedelic rock vibes.
Best track: Too High the Sky