New Music Monday: Five Fresh Tracks For The Start of Your Work Week

Monday, 15 June 2026 00:05

New music from DE'WAYNE, Jane's Party, Blondshell, Cease Fire, and Deep Purple

The global music landscape is moving at a breakneck pace right now, completely breaking down old genre boundaries to deliver some of the most exciting collaborations we’ve heard in years. This week’s print edition dives straight into that spirit of creative evolution, bringing a stellar curation of brand-new releases directly to the page. We are moving past predictable radio formulas and stepping into a bold, high-energy wave of sound where legendary icons and hungry new artists are rewriting the rules of modern music.

Featuring a mix of glam-infused rock-and-roll, sun-drenched Canadian indie pop, raw grunge-revivalism, hard-hitting local rock, and timeless British heavy metal royalty, these five standout releases are ready to serve as the ultimate soundtrack for your lakeside travel.

DE'WAYNE (feat. Lenny Kravitz) – "highway robbery"

With the newly reworked rendition of "highway robbery," rising star DE'WAYNE delivers a seismic, glam-inspired rock-and-roll record born from a simple mission to inject pure passion back into the world. Originally a solo track, this updated version features none other than rock legend Lenny Kravitz, who lends his classic guitar sensibility and swagger to the mix. Shifting effortlessly between a grounded tenor tone and lighter falsetto passages, DE'WAYNE frames the overwhelming rush of attraction not as a loss, but as a thrilling surrender. Driven by a lively, uncluttered production and an immediate guitar hook in the chorus, the track serves as an irresistible, high-energy anthem tailor-made for cruising down local highways.

Jane's Party – "Rest of Our Lives"

Diving headfirst into the warm, melodic indie landscapes that define the best of contemporary Canadian rock, Toronto-based four-piece Jane's Party returns with their captivating new single, "Rest of Our Lives". Serving as the vibrant title track of their latest album project, the single captures a brilliant balance between melodic accessibility and rich, layered instrumentation. Built upon a driving rhythm section and shimmering guitar melodies, the track effortlessly channels the bittersweet joy of looking toward the future while staying grounded in the present. It is a sonically bright, infectious slice of alternative indie pop that perfectly mirrors the carefree energy of a Muskoka dock on a sunny afternoon.

Blondshell – "Heart Has To Work So Hard"

Delivering a jolt of raw, angsty energy to the early-summer playlist, indie rock phenom Sabrina Teitelbaum—performing under the moniker Blondshell—leans into her most sonically urgent songwriting to date on her latest single, "Heart Has To Work So Hard". The track opens with a locomotive drum and bass pulse, building a relentless mechanical momentum that mimics the sound of an overworked chest. That tension explodes into a loud, messy, shoegaze-and-grunge-infused chorus where she details the exhaustive emotional labor of a fraying, one-sided relationship. It is a fierce, visceral listening experience that pairs razor-sharp lyricism with massive wall-of-sound guitars, proving why she remains one of indie rock's most compelling new voices.

Cease Fire – "Take Warning"

Representing the enduring heart of our local music ecosystem, Muskoka’s own hard rock mainstays Cease Fire command attention with their thunderous new homegrown offering, "Take Warning." The track showcases the tight-knit outfit operating at the absolute peak of their retro-revivalist capabilities, anchoring a heavy classic-rock stomp with an unstoppable rhythm section. Driven by blistering local guitar work and a soaring vocal performance full of grit, the song builds a brooding, heavy-grooving momentum that demands to be played at maximum volume. It is a powerful reminder of the elite rock talent thriving right in our backyard, providing a stadium-sized display of showmanship that serves as the perfect local cornerstone for this week’s lineup.

Deep Purple – "Arrogant Boy"

Concluding the weekly roster with a masterclass in classic British rock royalty, pioneering icons Deep Purple roar back with their pummelling new single, "Arrogant Boy". Serving as a standout preview from their highly anticipated studio album Splat!, the track recaptures the fiery, improvisational spirit of their legendary 1970s era. Built upon a foundation of Don Airey’s vintage Hammond organ textures and Simon McBride's blistering, technical fretwork, the track allows frontman Ian Gillan to cut through the mix with a remarkably powerful vocal performance. It is distilled, high-octane classic rock at its finest, proving that even after nearly six decades, the rock legends are still capable of delivering an absolute sonic lightning bolt.

As the trees fully leaf out to catch the bright mid-June sun, these five tracks perfectly mirror the steady growth and vibrant energy sweeping across the horizon. Whether you are looking for the introspective, anxious soul of raw alternative indie or the timeless, loud-volume rhythms of classic rock royalty, this week’s print lineup ensures your transition into the heart of the season is loud, soulful, and full of life.