By Scott Roos Our Grade: A- With his latest single, "Alone", Jordan Perry leans confidently into retro territory, delivering a shimmering slice of synth pop that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The track opens with a restrained, mid-tempo pulse before gradually layering glossy keyboards and live drums, creating a slow-burn build that pays off in a satisfying climax. It’s easy to imagine this one sliding seamlessly onto the soundtrack of Cobra Kai, thanks to its polished eight

by Scott Roos Our grade: B+ A Confident Debut Rooted in Classic Rock Warmth Battleford-based Hartz Roller makes a strong first impression with their debut single, “Let Me Love You.” The track leans into a warm, nostalgic lane while still carrying enough spark to feel contemporary. From the first listen, the vocals give off a Stevie Nicks–adjacent vibe, paired with instrumentation that recalls the breezy polish of classic ’70s AM radio pop rock. Like a Sweeney Todd or Bay City

photos and words by Scott Roos Dave Mustaine shredding up a storm during "Hangar 18" There are nights when a metal tour rolls through town and checks the boxes. And then there are nights when thrash history itself seems to step out onto the stage, plug in, and remind everyone why this music still matters. The recent triple threat of Megadeth, Anthrax, and Exodus at the SaskTel Centre on Tuesday, February 24th delivered exactly that: a multi-generational thrash celebration tha

words and photos by Brooke Anderson (Brooke Anderson Media) “Just close your eyes and imagine you’re not here”. She told the audience as she introduced her song The City. Bearing through the cold and many inches of snow, Ella Forrest and The Great Pines played at the E.A. Rawlinson on Friday, February 20th. Though they hadn’t played together since August and had only rehearsed the week before, their chemistry was unmatchable. Personality soared through the roof of the saxopho

by Scott Roos Our Grade: B+ Saskatoon’s Blind Commentary continues carving out space in the prairie underground with the release of “Trapped in the Walls,” which dropped Feb. 11. The single marks the band’s first offering of 2026 and hints at a continued experimental direction ahead for the self-described "emogaze" outfit. On this track, they don’t ease you in. They drop you straight into it. “Trapped in the Walls” is all tension and texture. The guitars shimmer and collide,

words and photos by Brooke Anderson (Brooke Anderson Media) Toeing the line between rock and country, HARDY (Micheal Hardy) brought an immense energy to the SaskTel Centre this past Thursday, February 12th. The "Country! Country! Tour" had just debuted a week earlier in Oshawa ON and the chemistry of the touring party was on fire.  The openers McCoy Moore and Cameron Whitcomb couldn't have been the more perfect to open for HARDY. McCoy Moore has an amazing voice and his supp

by Scott Roos Our Grade: A (Song) and A+ (Video) Katelyn Lehner’s latest single, “Howl,” (released this past July) arrives as a sultry, genre-bending pop-country-rock stomper that feels tailor-made for late nights, dance floors, and radio rotation. Clocking in at a tight 2 minutes and 48 seconds, it’s a punchy, high-energy track that doesn’t overstay its welcome — just enough time to grab a partner and two-step before it fades out, leaving you wishing it went on a little long

by Scott Roos Our grade: A Jordan Perry’s “Sleep Forever,” the lead single from his upcoming album Jeux d’hiver , is a polished, atmospheric entry into a sonic world that feels both nostalgic and immediate. Rooted in retro electro-pop, the track carries a distinctly old-school energy that recalls the sleek, pulsing textures of Daft Punk, particularly the mood-driven soundscapes of the Tron Legacy  soundtrack. There’s also additional cinematic quality to it that brings to mind

by Scott Roos Our grade: B “Down Bad,” released in October 2025, marks a vulnerable and important step for Saskatchewan indie artist LILI, a nehiyaw iskwew musician from Sturgeon Lake First Nation known for her heartfelt songwriting and grounded presence. As her first ballad, the track leans fully into emotional honesty, exploring the aftermath of a painful breakup and the quiet humiliation that can come from loving someone who never truly loved you back. Drawing on themes of

by Scott Roos photo by Nova ( @saulandnovacreative) Our Grade: A- Beauval country artist Sammii’s debut single “Her Love” makes a strong first impression, showcasing a thoughtful blend of country textures and heartfelt performance, brought together under the steady hand of producer Travis Beatty. From the opening moments, the backing track establishes a warm, inviting sound. The banjo in the intro is a particularly nice touch, setting a rustic tone that leads naturally into a

by Scott Roos live photos by Tracy Creighton ( Copperblue Photography and Design ) Our Grade: B+ Taya Lebel makes a confident first impression with her debut single, an upbeat and romantic track entitled "Life We're Livin'" (released this past September) that captures the rush of early love while keeping one eye firmly on the future. Inspired by shared memories with her boyfriend, the song leans into the glow of young summer romance - full of motion, optimism, and the promise

by Scott Roos live photo by Scott Roos Our Grade: A “Nobody Roads” (released this past September) feels like both a continuation and a quiet evolution for Josh Stumpf -almost a heartbreaking sequel to last year’s breakaway road trip stomper “Highway Money.”  Where that song reveled in momentum and grit, this one turns inward, tracing the emotional necessity of escape and solitude. It’s a deeply personal track rooted in Josh’s first-ever songwriting trip outside the country, w

by Scott Roos Our Grade: B Mercy Glover’s debut single “Ain’t Mine” captures that quiet, sinking moment when you realize the person beside you has their heart elsewhere . Written and performed by Glover, and produced by Jesse Weiman at Nolita Studios (with mastering by Trevor Case at Case Mastering), the track leans into a glossy, medium-tempo pop-country sound designed for easy connection and wide appeal. At its core, “Ain’t Mine” is undeniably catchy. The chorus lands with

photos and words by Scott Roos On Friday, January 23rd, Saskatoon’s The North Sound as part of the On Stage  concert series to Prince Albert’s EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts, delivered an intimate, career-spanning performance that showcased both the duo’s evolution and their growing confidence as storytellers, songwriters, and performers. The North Sound - Forrest and Nevada Eaglespeaker - were joined by a formidable backing band affectionately billed by the Eaglespeakers a

by Scott Roos Our Grade - C+ Released on Oct. 17th, Regina's Sifu and the Hat's “Wakin’ Up” is a bold attempt at the traditional blues genre. While it doesn’t completely break new ground, it delivers enough grit and energy to make an impression. With a press release citing Tom Waits, Captain Beefheart, R.L. Burnside, and Junior Kimbrough, listeners can expect something raw, angular, and lived-in. Instrumentally, to a degree, the track succeeds. The groove has a decent, unforc

by Scott Roos Our Grade: B+ Softlung, the Saskatoon-based project of S.J. Kardash, returns with “Midnight Mountains,”  a smooth, well-crafted single that leans heavily on strong production and clean melodic instincts. Released on November 4th, the track is silky without being slick, with clear attention paid to how each element sits in the mix. It flirts with adult contemporary territory with a light touch of alt-rock but keeps enough indie-pop character to avoid sounding ove

By Scott Roos band photo courtesy of Fake Paradise Free Fall Released March, 2025 Our Grade - A In March, Saskatoon’s Fake Paradise released their single Free Fall. Collectively, It's a head-bobbing reminder of just how heavy a local band can get. From the first note, guitarist Jace Irvine’s fuzz-laden riff grabs you by the ears and drags you straight into a Master of Reality –era Black Sabbath mood. There’s a boogie-like swing to it, heavy but moving, the kind of riff that m

by Scott Roos photo courtesy of Anna Haverstock Our Grade: B- Anna Haverstock’s latest single, entitled "Lungs", explores the emotional strain of miscommunication - the kind of recurring conversational breakdowns that leave people feeling unheard despite their best intentions. Written and performed by Haverstock, produced by Aspen Beveridge, and supported by background vocals from Jill Haverstock, the track is rooted in personal expression and an earnest desire to connect, ev

by Scott Roos band photo courtesy of The Shyning Our Grade: A With their debut single “Falling,” Prince Albert hard-rock outfit The Shyning come out of the gate with a track that’s confident, polished, and deeply rooted in the traditions of pre-digital rock. What immediately stands out is the production - this is a mix that feels big, warm, and undeniably professional. Everything sits exactly where it should, which gives the song an instant radio-ready sheen. Chris McDonald’s

Words by Scott Roos Photos by Scott Roos Prince Albert’s most eccentrically charismatic musical export, The Prince Albert Band, packed The Spice Trail to capacity for a free show on Friday, Nov. 14 delivering a performance equal parts chaotic, clever, and irresistibly fun. For a group that openly embraces its own weirdness, the five-piece continues to prove that their unlikely blend of jazz, prog rock, punk, and metal isn’t just a novelty - it’s morphing into a bona fide loc