New Single: Haven't Had Enough

I am incredibly excited to say that Marianas Trench has released their first single off their upcoming album "Ever After". It's called "Haven't Had Enough" and it is unbelievably awesome! The song is much more poppy sounding than their previous material but it is equally as amazing. Their new sound is so catchy and upbeat. Unfortunately people have already criticized them for conforming into a generic pop band but don't listen to them! It was Josh Ramsay himself that said, "If a band doesn't change then they don't grow and neither does their career" and he himself contributes to the production of their music. It is an incredible tune and I have very high expectations for their 3rd album coming out in the fall but I don't believe they will disappoint not that I've heard the single. Check it out below and make sure to buy it if you love it. 

Matt Webb - Coda and Jacket

The name Matt Webb may sound familiar if you've heard of a little band called Marianas Trench. Marianas Trench is my favourite band and when I heard Matt was releasing a 7 song EP, I was ecstatic. His first single, Bad Girl, is a pop song that Josh Ramsay, lead singer of MT actually helped produce. The song is actually really good and the music video makes the song all that much better. My favourite song on Coda and Jacket is Runaway. It is the most beautiful song I have heard in a while. It is about a breakup but the way it is written is perfect. He is such an incredible writer which is also demonstrated in a song called Cinnamon. Matt calls his EP a mixed bag of music ranging from alternative rock, to 80's rock and pop. I recommend downloading or buying his entire EP because it's amazing!

Here's Matt's song Runaway: 

To Tell

To Tell is an amazing local band from London. They currently have an EP (The Sun is Up and So Am I) and one full length album (So Much More) out. I actually had not heard of them until I saw them live as an opening act and instantly fell in love with them. Their sound is quite unique. The lead singer, Zach sings and plays the piano. The piano makes them who they are. It is hard to describe the sound but it is considered pop music. It almost sounds like songs from a musical. In "Safe to Say" there is a trumpet solo and a trombone can also be heard in it.  One of my favourite songs are "She's the One". It is very cute love song dedicated to the Zach's wife. He wrote all the songs off the album and they are quite clever. If you really like them, I'm sure it won't be too hard to hear them live as they are from London as I mentioned earlier. Getting a chance to talk with them, I found them to be very nice, down to earth people. Check out the music video for Safe to Say:

New Album from We The Kings

We The Kings have been around for a few years and you may have heard of them before. Their new album "Sunshine State of Mind" is their third album. If you haven't heard We The Kings I highly recommend checking out some of their older material. Some of my favourite songs are: "Heaven Can Wait", "She Takes Me High", and "Check Yes Juliet". Theses songs are upbeat and awesome to rock out to, especially for the summer. We the Kings newest album does not disappoint!  The first single of the album is "Friday is Forever". Other songs to check out from this album are "The Secret to New York" and "Somebody to Call My Own". 
Here's the music video for Friday is Forever:

Parade of Lights

I heard Parade of Lights while watching the Real World. They are a alternative/pop band from Las Vegas and are a fairly new band. One of the best songs, and probably my most favourite is "Just Like Falling In Love". This was their single which came out in November of 2010. If you visit their Myspace page you can sample some of their material. Some songs including "Young Again" and "I'll Never Let You Go" are more alternative than some of the older songs that are more pop sounding and use more synth. 
Here's a link to their Myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/paradeoflights

New Single: Heatwave

If you've heard of The New Cities you know they are French Canadian. The boys have just released their new single, "Heatwave" for their up coming album. "Heatwave" is more of a lighter pop tune than their previous music which was more grittier in guitars and synths, but it is still a solid song. The New Cities have not completely changed their sound but it looks as though they may be geared toward lighter pop for the next album. Have a listen to "Heatwave":

New County

This band I discovered watching the MTV show The Real World. This band has a real energetic vibe. With only one EP and a recent single, New County is just getting into the business. Their sound is a blend between alternative and feel good pop music but the EP - "Lives We Lead"(2010) contains more than that. The song "I'm No Him" is mellow and has a slight country edge to it. New County's lyrics are well written and honest. Check out the songs, "Impossible" (which was featured on the Real World), "Circles" and their newest single, "Open Up to Me" - which you can listen to below:

Parachute

Parachute, hailing from the US is a 5 member band who's music is slightly mellow. Their sound can be relaxing as some songs are acoustic and lyrical while most other songs are backed up by a piano and/or a full string section to give them a full sound to some stunning melodies. A few songs even feature a smooth saxophone. The  uplifting song "Something to Believe In" from their 2nd studio album "The Way it Was" (2011) is an example of a song with the saxophone that comes in towards the end of the song with strong back up vocals from a gospel choir. This is one of their more up-paced songs. On Parachute's debut album "Losing Sleep" (2009) listen to "She is Love" a beautiful acoustic love song as well as "Under Control",  and "The Mess I Made". From their newly released 2nd album listen to "Kiss Me Slowly", one of the most powerful and beautiful love songs I've heard in a while, "You and Me" and "Forever and Always". The lead singer has a very soothing and lyrical voice which adds greatly to the incredible melodies and instrumentals.  Check out here Parachute's new music video:

Breathe Electric

Grant Harris, the lead singer and mastermind behind Breathe Electric is incredibly talented.  Grant, an unsigned artist from Chicago writes, produces and mixes his own music and is backed up by a band when he tours. His sound is pure pop/ electronic using mostly synthesized sounds to create an incredibly pumped-up club environment. His first album, "Honestly" came out in 2008 and is ok, but not nearly as good as his EP - "Emotion" in 2009 and yet even more brilliant is his 2nd album "Lovestruck"(2010) which has the most club feel to it. For a one man, unsigned artist, his music (starting at Emotion) sounds professionally written and recorded. Grant has also recently released two singles, "Last One You Love" and "Dreamin" both exceptionally well recorded. My favourite songs of his are: "Last One You Love", "One in A Million", "Lovestruck" and his cover of "Never Gonna Give You Up". His next single will be coming out July 5th. Grant only has one music video and I am posting it here. Also make sure to check out YouTube videos of him live - his shows look awesome and it looks like he mixes his beats live on stage! On YouTube you can also find popular songs such as Katy Perry's "E.T" that he has remixed.

Simple Plan: Get Your Heart On

Simple Plan have just released their 4th studio album called Get Your Heart On. The guys have been working very hard on the album for years taking the time to add collaborations with artists including Rivers Cuomo (front man of Weezer) on "Can't Keep My Hands Off You", Natasha Bedingfield in " Jet Lag", K'naan in "Summer Paradise" and Alex Gaskarth in "Freaking Me Out".  Still fluent in French, the boys of Simple Plan have added a French version of Jet Lag featuring Marie-Mae of Quebec. Everyone should give this album a listen. They are a true pop/ punk band and have gone back to their roots on this one - it is fun and energetic similar to the sound of their very first record, "No Pads, No Helmets....Just Balls". There is nothing extraordinary about Get Your Heart On, but if you like feel good music and just want to rock out, this is a solid summer album to listen to. I would recommend the songs: "Jet Lag", "Loser of the Year" and "Summer Paradise".  The last song of the album is "This Song Saved my Life" and is one of their most special songs because it was written by the fans. They also took 25 lucky fans into the recording studio to do some back up vocals. Check it out because it really shows how music effects people.