Justin Bieber and Diddy's R&B collab, and 8 more songs you need to hear this week

Songs you need to hear is CBC Music's weekly list of hot new Canadian tracks.

Scroll down to find out what CBC Music producers are listening to this week.

'Garden,' Jev

Ottawa rapper Jev's latest EP, Lonerwrld, Vol. 1, is filled with searing lyricism, and the track "Garden" features some of his most cutting words yet. "I'm from the city where the killers send the flowers to your mama," he spits on the opening line, dropping scathing verses about police brutality. His rage is palpable, yet he artfully transforms his fury into fuel. Over retro instrumentals, he articulates career aspirations and promises to sell out Madison Square Garden one day. Around the 2:26 mark, he adds reverb to the background vocals and slows things down, for a haunting yet entrancing effect. On the surface, the track appears bleak, but after a few listens it's evident that embedded within it is a message of hope, encouraging listeners to search for glimmers of optimism in dark times. — Natalie Harmsen

'All Night,' Charlie Houston

In the opening moments of Charlie Houston's latest single, "All Night," a voice is floating over a simple drum beat and a subtle bass line shyly whispering the words, "I love you." But just as easily as those words can slip out, the song itself captures both the anxiety and excitement of saying "I love you" to someone for the first time. "We sat on this picnic bench in Kingston/ Panic starts to sink in," Houston sings, painting a vivid scene where you can almost feel the butterflies swirling in both their stomachs. Sometimes the words don't come immediately — after all, asking someone to be that vulnerable isn't easy — and it can take all night before you feel ready. But when that moment happens, let's hope that it can sound and feel as sweet as this indie-pop ode to young love. — Melody Lau

'At Least You Tried,' Joshua Van Tassel

As the nights get cooler and we prepare for the inevitable hibernation season, nothing sounds more appealing than an album described as "lullabies for adults." With The Recently Beautiful, out Nov. 17, Nova Scotia-based composer/producer Joshua Van Tassel has created that perfectly gentle gift, and new single "At Least You Tried" is a short burst of solace after a long day of not getting much accomplished, despite your best efforts. "You give over to the fact that you have to relinquish the mindset of being able to control much of anything," explained Van Tassel via press release. "And finding comfort in that you go to sleep to start again tomorrow." Van Tassel arranged each piece for a quartet of Ondéa, piano, violin and viola, and the keys on "At Least You Tried" move you through life's daily tasks, as the strings add soft colour and emotional depth to the brief journey. Written at night while Van Tassel's family slept, The Recently Beautiful is an ambient weighted blanket we can't wait to slip under. — Holly Gordon

'Moments,' Diddy feat. Justin Bieber

"This album ... was created to touch souls and freely express my story with the best artists, writers and producers shaping the future of R&B," said Diddy in a press release, introducing his first solo project in 17 years. The Love Album: Off the Grid is a 90-minute, 27-track Rolodex flex with features from a who's who of R&B heavyweights past, present and future, and "Moments," featuring Justin Bieber, is one of this treasure trove's shiniest gems. The song opens with Bieber's arresting a cappella verse that establishes the theme — burning desire — before a studio interlude ushers in a sophisticated beat and rich harmonies. Diddy knows to take the back seat when Bieber has the mic. "You got me all in my feelings, why's it takin' this long?" Bieber sings in the pre-chorus, his voice untethered. And be sure to put on headsets to immerse yourself in the next-level production as Diddy repeats in the outro, "Get in your bag, stay in your bag." — Robert Rowat

'Silhouette,' Cri feat. Klô Pelgag

Cri's sophomore album, Miracles, is full of brilliant moments, but it's on the album closer that I was truly stopped in my tracks. The Québec producer collaborated with singer-songwriter Klô Pelgag on this song teeming with effervescent optimism. Wailing synths and a keyboard scale played over and over create a momentum that feels like it's rising and rising, as Pelgag sings of a miracle that is on its way. Known for layered sonics and the faster-paced rave-friendly tracks that appear elsewhere on the record, Cri shows his flexibility as a producer through the simplicity of "Silhouette." He's as capable of accelerating a heart rate as he is bringing it to standstill.  — Kelsey Adams

'SheDoeNeed,' King Cruff feat. Stonebwoy and Jag Huligin

On his new single, King Cruff exudes the confidence, independence and strength that he was raised on. It's an opus for the women in Cruff's life: "My family has always had a powerful matriarchal energy and growing up surrounded by strong women has inspired me to search for strength within myself," he shared in a press release. The song is supercharged, filled with elements of dancehall and Afrobeat, and Cruff calls on legendary Afrobeat artist Stonebwoy to bring the energy to life. Cruff aims to inspire the listener to stand in each moment of thought and reflection, to encourage them to have no cares and no stress, and even if they have those things in their lives, to turn up the music and dance those feelings away. — Ryan Chung

'Cold Tea,' New West

New West's debut album drops on Oct. 20, but the Toronto band has already begun amassing a large following thanks to their viral love song "Those Eyes." On their latest single, "Cold Tea," the group leaves behind the haze of romance. Lead singer Kala Wita brushes off a past relationship on the catchy chorus: "You say you miss the old me/ What the f--k does that mean?/ Don't act like you know me/ you're just talking cold tea." There's a sense of independence that pervades the song, especially when Wita confesses, "I'm just more myself these days." It's an addictive tune that highlights the band's knack for catchy pop melodies and relatable lyrics — the perfect fodder for eager fans wanting to sing along at their upcoming Canadian shows. — NH

'On the Low,' Shay Lia

Shay Lia has been singing over Kaytranada productions for the better part of a decade, and it's become a guarantee that magic will be made when these two Montrealers link up, as is the case on "On the Low." The latest single from Lia's upcoming album, Facets, is a sweltering groove with Afro-pop rhythms. Kaytranada's signature syncopated kick drums are complemented by twinkling synths and Lia's pristine vocals as she sings about a wishy-washy love interest. "You're so in and out/ Happens all the time/ Say you want me/ But your actions don't align," she sings in the second verse. Sometimes the remedy for someone playing mind games is to dance the stress and headache away, and leave your heartbreak on the dance floor. — KA

'If You Care,' Post-Modern Connection 

It can be hard to show up for people the way that they want you to sometimes, and on Vancouver duo Post-Modern Connection's new single, "If You Care," they push back, singing, "I can't say that I'll be there/ If you never even cared." "The song is about not allowing people to take away your peace," the group explained in a press release. "It's about saying you'd be willing to make space for them if they change." Whether you feel this way about a family member, a close friend or a partner, "a welcome change is all we ever asked," they assure, over breezy surf-rock guitars, à la early 2000s indie-rock bands like Vampire Weekend or Bombay Bicycle Club. There's a nonchalance as they continue, "I don't care as much I'm older/ Having shouldered the pain/ Guess I'm colder," but underneath the icy exterior is still someone processing and learning to live with a difficult relationship. Post-Modern Connection's sophomore EP, A Welcome Change, is out Nov. 23 via Unbelievably Spectacular. — ML