Canadian Songs That Should Be On Your Buddy’s Canada Day Mixtape!

To celebrate Canada’s birthday, here is a list of some of my favorite tunes from Canadian artists that you might have never heard of.

Let’s Get In The Mood To Party!

Let’s try to avoid the stereotypes about Canadian music; you won’t find Drake, Justin Bieber, or the Tragically Hip here; not even a hint of Alanis Morisette or Nickelback! This is an alternative journey starting in Vancouver and passing by Toronto with tracks that will boost your energy level.

Dear Rouge – Gimme Spirit

Brave Shores – Never Come Down

Canadian Hip Hop Is Multicultural

From the Eastern shores of Nova Scotia to the Western Salish sea, Canadian hip hop didn’t wait on Canada’s most American city, Toronto to gain popularity in the true north strong and free.

Classified – Oh…Canada

Buck 65 – Wicked & Weird

R.E.D. – The Halluci Nation

The Heavy Hitters

I might be biased but Western Canada has a caliber of unique talents spanning a wide diversity in genre that isn’t found anywhere else in Canada; from one of the most singular maven in electro to one of the best guitarists in country music.

Grimes – Oblivion

Lindsay Ell – Criminal

Experimental & Synthetic

When electronic music encounters a patchwork of influences, the results can always turn dissonance into harmony.

Hannah Georgas – Robotic

Adaline – Keep Me High

Blue Hawaii – Blue Gowns

Indie Or Alternative Or Both

Being so close to America, one would think that Canadian indie artists would have a much more difficult time getting heard in the country but not conforming to pop culture helps their authentic and unique sound set them apart from the crowd.

Feist – My Moon My Man

Arcade Fire – Arcade Fire presents Sprawl II

Clubbing Until Dawn

I’m not a fan of dance music in general but Canadian bands have a way to elevate the genre and infuse it with tonalities and haunting vocals that understand the temporal setting in which they are supposed to be played at.

Tegan & Sara – Closer

Dragonette – I Get Around

Crystal Castles – Not In Love

On Fini Avec De La Pop Bilingue

There is a special consonance when English and French is blended in Canadian songs; there’s an authenticity about the mélange that isn’t found when American or French artists try to do the same.

Metric – Poster Of A Girl

Simple Plan & Marie Mai – Jet Lag