Artist Spotlight
Premiere: Cigar Club Presents Newest Track “COLD”
Cigar Club’s newest track “COLD,” is a raucous thrill ride about loving someone who shows adoration in frigid ways.
The track from the Toronto four-piece has a punk rock energy to it—featuring blistering guitar bends, bombastic drum fills, smooth bass, and vocals that echo The Stooges’ early work. The singer has clearly been hurt and you feel it during the first line—”Maybe it’s true that I’m already your dog” and you immediately feel for the guy trapped in this icy coffin of a relationship. Still, lust rules during this hard alt-rock epic.
The vocals harmonies on “I” and “no” during the chorus are also pretty damn glam rock. Think T.Rex meets a heavy counterpart like Black Sabbath and you’re close.
The drum and bass combo are ridiculously tight allowing the guitar to dive head-first into heavy, chaotic, dimensions of distortion. Also, keep your ears alert for the little two-second bass fill—a highlight of the track.
Then comes the outro guitar solo, which sounds like it was meticulously crafted to bounce off the dark tone of “COLD” perfectly. The solo sounds like it could live on the Era Vulgaris Queens of the Stone Age record and really sends the song home. Yes, “COLD” is a banger of a track and will hauntingly stay with you hours after your first listen.
Though Cigar Club sounds like they have been playing together for nigh on a decade, the young band got its start in 2016 from the mutual interest in guitar maestro John Mayer. The sound quickly shifted into a heavier alt-rock with a bit of blues and soul.
They recorded their debut self-titled EP and started getting traction in Toronto playing live shows in 2019. The EP caught the notice of Billy Talent’s guitarist, Ian D’sa, who invited Cigar Club to play a curated show at the Bovine Sex Club. Cigar Club also recently made it into the semi-finals out of 100+ bands during 97.7 HTZ FM’s 2020 ROCKSEARCH.
“COLD” is the last single, following the previous singles “…Aliens” and “Swimmin’ in Gold,” and “From a Southeast Asian Two Bedroom Condo.” Cigar Club will unleash their highly anticipated full-length, Day, Now, in August. The debut LP promises to be an onslaught of hard rock tunes with a psychedelic, experimental edge.
“It takes the listener through all ends of the music spectrum, from heavy hard rock to soft ambient soundscapes,” Cigar Club says. “We really aimed to display our dynamic ability in this record and I think we managed to pull it off.”
Artist Spotlight
Owen Rivera turns summer romance into an irresistible experience with “LaiLuv”
Owen Rivera’s new single “LaiLuv” is one of those rare releases that makes you feel as if you are in a free-spirited evening, golden sunsets, open roads, and memories for a lifetime. This track has a tropical feel which delivers a refreshing anthem, designed for the soundtrack of summer.
“LaiLuv” is a simple but touching song with an inviting melody and polished production. It is fresh, lively, and textured with just enough heat to make each listen like returning home to a favorite space. Rivera’s vocals are sincere, and it sits easily in the arrangement and gives the narrative a real and accessible feel. The young love, warm nights, and long drives are brought to life with real emotion, painting vivid pictures that many will recognize in their own lives.
“LaiLuv” alone displays Rivera’s talent for combining accessible pop songwriting with rock textures that make for a song that feels timeless. Owen Rivera’s “LaiLuv” is a feel-good release that celebrates the beauty of fleeting moments and reminds us why some memories of summer never fade away, all wrapped up in a breezy vibe, catchy melody, and heartfelt storytelling.
Artist Spotlight
Benji Miller captures the weight of loving someone through depression on “Hey Darcey”
R&B artist Benji Miller has crafted a deeply empathetic, poignant track with “Hey Darcey,” a song about the emotional toll of watching the slow fade of someone you love. The track is the second single from his forthcoming debut EP, “Love Or Pain,” and offers a reflective look at an artist who isn’t afraid of having tough conversations with honesty and heart.
Built with warm, understated R&B production that lends the track an intimate sound where every melodic choice feels intentional. The production is free of dramatic arrangements, giving space to the emotion and putting the vocals into the spotlight. Benji Miller’s honest, understated performance has a quiet openness that gets to the uncertainty, helplessness, and hope that are at the heart of the story.
“Hey Darcey” is about those who support loved ones with depression and the confusion, concern, and emotional exhaustion that is often left unspoken. The reflective tone is an encouraging reminder that compassion, patience, and presence still matter, even when solutions seem impossible to find. “Hey Darcey” is a story for the ones who may be going through the same struggles, and reminds us that music can still be one of the most powerful ways to connect.
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