New Music Friday: August 7, 2026
Fresh Canadian Music to Start Your Weekend
Another Friday means another round of new music — and at The Maple Music Café Lounge, Canadian artists always come first.
This week brings everything from stripped-down Alberta country and Toronto hardcore to new Canadian rock, alongside a carefully selected group of international releases. Whether the weekend calls for something reflective, loud or somewhere in between, there is plenty of new music to discover.
Here’s what deserves a listen this week.
Corb Lund – Dark Horses
Alberta singer-songwriter Corb Lund revisits his own catalogue on Dark Horses, released August 7 through New West Records. Rather than simply compiling older recordings, Lund selected one song from each of his 11 albums of original material and recorded them again, alone and unaccompanied in his living room. The approach strips the songs back to their foundations and puts Lund’s storytelling front and centre. Among the selections are “No Roads Here,” “The Rodeo’s Over,” “Sadr City,” “Counterfeiter’s Blues” and “Out On a Win.”
Why listen: It is a chance to rediscover some overlooked songs from one of Canada’s most distinctive country storytellers.
Cancer Bats – Give Me Dirt
Toronto hardcore veterans Cancer Bats return with their eighth studio album, Give Me Dirt. The 11-track record arrives August 7 and includes “Stay Stuck,” “Don’t Trip,” “Ocean Crash,” “Positive Grid” and the title track. The band has spent more than two decades building an international following with its combination of hardcore punk, metal and relentless live energy. The new record was produced by Kurt Ballou and includes guest appearances from Nate Newton, Chris Cresswell, Brooklyn Doran and Efrem Schulz. Cancer Bats have also released a video for the album’s title track this week.
Why listen: Canadian heavy music with no interest in playing quietly.
Storm Force – “Savior”
Canadian melodic hard-rock band Storm Force adds another homegrown release to this week’s playlist with “Savior,” the second single from the band’s forthcoming album Truth. The new album is scheduled for September 25, making “Savior” an early look at the next chapter for the Ontario rockers.
Why listen: A solid choice for listeners who still believe big guitars and melodic rock belong together.
Cancer Bats – “Give Me Dirt”
Yes, Cancer Bats get two spots this week. Along with the full album, the title track deserves attention on its own. The band released the official “Give Me Dirt” video as the album arrived, giving listeners a natural entry point before diving into the complete record. There’s even a limited bat-shaped vinyl release pairing “Give Me Dirt” with the band’s take on Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl” — a particularly Canadian combination.
Why listen: Start here if you have never ventured into Cancer Bats territory before.
A Canadian Weekend Worth Watching
New releases aren’t the only reason Canadian music is having a busy weekend.
Ontario’s Wolfe Island Music Festival begins August 7 with a Canadian-heavy lineup featuring Shad, Ken Yates, Georgia Harmer, Rachel Bobbitt, Noble Rot and Codas.
Meanwhile, Boots and Hearts gets underway in Oro-Medonte with Canadian performers including Brett Kissel, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Tony Stevens and James Barker Band joining the weekend lineup.
It’s a good reminder that New Music Friday isn’t only about streaming. Canadian music is meant to be heard live, too.
Editor’s Pick
Corb Lund – Dark Horses
Our Canadian pick this week goes to Corb Lund.
There’s something refreshingly simple about the concept behind Dark Horses: one songwriter, one instrument and songs he believes deserve another listen. Instead of chasing the biggest tracks in his catalogue, Lund has deliberately returned to material that didn’t necessarily receive the attention of his better-known songs. Recording them unaccompanied allows the writing itself to do the heavy lifting.
For a publication dedicated to the stories behind Canadian music, that’s exactly the kind of record Maple Music Lounge should celebrate.
🎶 This Week’s Playlist
Made in Canada: Corb Lund – Dark Horses • Cancer Bats – Give Me Dirt • Storm Force – “Savior” • Cancer Bats – “Give Me Dirt”
What are you listening to this weekend?
Discover more Canadian artists, new releases, interviews and the stories behind the music at The Maple Music Café Lounge.
Coming Next Friday
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