Leon Blanchard, a name perhaps faintly echoing from the mid-noughties indie surge, returns not with fanfare, but with a solitary signal flare titled "Astronaut". Hailing from Grimsby, a town known more for its fishing heritage than its celestial aspirations, Blanchard's new song does not really feel like a return, but more like a personal gearbox picked up after years of chatter. In 2007, his old band,...

The Toronto Hood Pop artist Ekelle turns self-worth into a sleek, dance-ready reset with help from producer Audio Gibbs. Ekelle does not tiptoe out of a bad situation on "(Turn Me) Loose". She throws on confidence, checks the mirror, and makes the exit feel like a party that started without the person who failed to value her. The Toronto rapper, singer, and songwriter has built her...