New Music Monday: Defying the Cold Snap with the Latest Cuts from Friday's Countdown

New music from The Sheepdogs, Alice Merton, George Axon, Ariel Posen and Kirk Stephenson

As we brace against the biting reach of this week’s cold snap, the latest New Music Monday serves as a much-needed hearth, offering warmth through a curated collection of rock, blues, and indie-pop. Sifted from the airwaves of the latest Friday Countdown with Aaron Hall, these five tracks act as a sonic survival kit, navigating the frost with everything from gritty slide guitar to defiant anthems of self-discovery. Whether you’re sheltering indoors or braving the winter winds, these selections provide the perfect soundtrack for finding light in the mid-winter gloom.

The Sheepdogs – "Keep Out of the Storm"

Kicking things off with a title that couldn't be more appropriate for a week like this, Saskatoon’s favorite sons return with the titular track from their upcoming album, "Keep Out of the Storm" is the Sheepdogs in their purest form: a sun-drenched, mid-tempo groove anchored by vintage rock-and-roll confidence and their trademark twin-lead guitar attack.

Frontman Ewan Currie describes the track as a search for "better weather," and you can feel that optimism in every reverb-soaked note. It’s a track that feels lived-in and loose, recorded live-off-the-floor to capture the organic energy of a band that knows exactly who they are.

Kirk Stephenson – "One Way Ticket"

Bringing a raw, locomotive energy to the list, local artist Kirk Stephenson delivers "One Way Ticket," a track that moves with the relentless momentum of a midnight train. The song leans into a gritty, Americana-infused rock sound, anchored by a driving rhythm section and Stephenson’s commanding vocal delivery. It’s a narrative-driven piece about the desire for escape and the finality of moving on, avoiding over-production in favor of a sound that feels honest and unvarnished. For those looking for a song that provides its own internal heat, this "One Way Ticket" is the high-voltage spark the week needs.

Alice Merton – "Ignorance is Bliss"

Alice Merton, the voice behind the global smash "No Roots," takes a sharp, compelling turn with "Ignorance is Bliss." Co-written with Bastille’s Dan Smith, this track is a masterclass in indie-pop tension, blending striking guitar stabs with a pulsating electronic heartbeat. Lyrically, Merton explores the delicate balance between self-preservation and the weight of the past, delivering her lines with a mix of fragility and fierce defiance. It is the first taste of her new album, Visions, and it serves as a vibrant reminder that Merton is at her best when she’s turning internal conflict into a stadium-sized hook.

George Axon – "Help Me"

Local musician, George Axon slows things down with "Help Me," a soulful, blues-heavy exploration of vulnerability and the human need for connection. The track is built around Axon’s evocative guitar work, which manages to say as much in the spaces between the notes as it does in the riffs themselves. There is an atmospheric, almost cinematic quality to the production, making the plea for help feel both intimate and universal. It’s a grounded, deeply resonant piece that cuts through the noise of the digital age, proving that a well-crafted blues track remains the most effective way to communicate the things we often leave unsaid.

Ariel Posen – "Empty Handed"

Closing out the selection is Winnipeg’s own Ariel Posen with "Empty Handed," a track that further solidifies his reputation as one of the most expressive guitarists of his generation. Featuring a haunting guest appearance by City and Colour, the song is a lush, mid-tempo ballad that showcases Posen’s signature slide guitar tone—a sound so vocal and fluid it feels like a second singer. "Empty Handed" is a song about the weight of expectations and the grace found in letting go. With its rich textures and soulful delivery, it provides a moment of meditative calm, ending our journey on a note of quiet, virtuosic beauty.

From the shelter of a rock-and-roll groove to the introspective warmth of a bluesy ballad, these essential spins from The Countdown with Aaron Hall offer a defiant answer to the winter chill. Let these melodies be your compass as you navigate the week ahead, finding your own "signal fire" in the music.

Sources:

• Keys and Chords
• Beyond The Watch
• Carte Blanche Music
• Promonews
• Vertex Effects
• Tracklib