Drake's viral remix, and 6 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 discover the songs our producers are loving right now. 

'Act II: Date @ 8 (Remix),' 4batz feat. Drake

Over the last few months, Dallas artist 4batz has struck a chord with fans and collected a few viral hits. With only three solo songs out, the artist has collected over 100 million streams on Spotify and caught the attention of many high profile artists, including Drake, who's known to connect with artists on the come-up. After a few teasers on social media, Drake and 4batz have officially released their remix of "Act II: Date @ 8." Drake has never been one to shy away from his emotional side, but on this remix — which features a slowed variation of the original beat — he leans fully into it. He sings about feeling lucky to be in love, in a relationship that feels like a "fairytale." Of course, before the song ends, he does share the bravado that we've become accustomed to. Although Drake has been extremely active with albums and tours lately, it's been a while since we've heard him on a surprise collaboration with an emerging artist. We're excited to see what comes from the collab, for everyone involved, especially since it was announced that Drake signed 4batz to his OVO label for a one EP deal. — Bhaven Moorthy

'Imaan,' Mustafa

Mustafa's folk-leaning single "Imaan" is a vibrant collision of cultures, a warm mix of acoustic guitar, Sudanese strings and the sound of the Egyptian oud. The romantic song analyzes the divide between faith and longing, depicting "two Muslims journeying through their love of borderless Western ideology and how it contradicts with the modesty and devotion in which they were raised," according to a press release. Mustafa's rich vocals are filled with yearning as he sings, "I know our families will never find their way to the same living room/ all of these bloodlines, all of these costumes." There's a bittersweet undertone to the track emphasized by the backing vocals of Snoh Aalegra, which add a haunting touch. Bursting with emotion, "Imaan" is a seismic followup to "Name of God" that hints at how affecting Mustafa's forthcoming debut album will be. (Mustafa refers to 2021's When Smoke Rises as a "project," instead of an album.) — Natalie Harmsen

'Coming Home to You,' Mackenzie Porter

Mackenzie Porter's upcoming album, Nobody's Born With a Broken Heart (out April 26), is described as an "all-encompassing heartbreak album," but her latest single focuses on where she's at now, happily married with a child on the way. There's a sense of comfort and peace permeating the country chords of "Coming Home to You," a song that finds happiness not in nice cars or big houses, but instead being surrounded by loved ones and sharing life's greatest moments with them. "We don't got it all but we got all we need," Porter sings, assuredly, before launching into a soaring chorus. "There are so many circumstances and events in a lifetime that can slowly chip away at your heart," Porter said in an Instagram post about the album, "and in the end, you're this beautiful, imperfect, cracked mess. But isn't that what living really is? If you didn't have the grit, would you really know the grace?" On "Coming Home to You," Porter's joy sounds earned, grateful for all the trials and tribulations that have led her to this sweet moment. — Melody Lau

'Hues,' Tova, vbnd

It may surprise you to learn that Saskatchewan has a vibrant R&B and soul scene, and this slow jam unites two of the province's leading proponents of the genre. Tova moved to Saskatchewan from Nigeria in 2017 to attend the University of Regina, learning music on the side. Vbnd is the moniker of bassist and producer extraordinaire Devon Gunn, a member of the Soulmate Collective, whose 2021 album, Scum Funk, is a timeless treasure trove. Together, Tova and vbnd channel Freudian-era Daniel Caesar, finding perfect harmony on "Hues," a gently waltzing outpouring of gratitude for love. "When I look at you in this light," sings Tova in the chorus, "everything I know is alright." There are soulful touches of saxophone and organ and, throughout, a sternum-caressing bass line. Watch for Tova and vbnd's new six-song EP, Everything, in its Time, due to be released on March 15. — Robert Rowat

'Show,' Sango feat. Rochelle Jordan

Toronto-raised, Los Angeles-based singer and producer Rochelle Jordan joins Seattle-based producer Sango on 'Show," the latest single from his upcoming album, North Vol. 2. Sango is a core member of L.A.-based collective and label Soulection, which has been at the forefront of blending downtempo electronic beats with R&B, neo-soul and hip-hop since 2011. Jordan's most recent album, 2021's Play With the Changes was one of that year's best, and since then, we've heard her jump on singles with other producers like Kaytranada, Tokimonsta and Logic1000. This new collab with Sango is the perfect use of her luscious R&B vocals, which shine over resplendent woodwinds, syncopated drums and boosted bass. The lyrics have an encouraging message, to let the subject know that Jordan is a soft place to land, where they need not worry about expressing vulnerabilities: "All this pressure is killing your aura/ It's a shit show/ Just know you can talk to me/ Any day, any night, all the time." — Kelsey Adams

'The Mistress' (Amelia Curran cover), Wolf Castle and Lxvndr

In honour of the Juno Awards coming to Halifax, CBC's East Coast Music Hour paired up-and-coming regional artists to cover an East Coast Juno winner, as well as create an original together. The covers that have dropped so far in the four-part series have been refreshingly unexpected — a torch-song version of Joel Plaskett's "Nowhere With You;" a reggae- and R&B-inspired take on Rose Cousins' "Chains" — but maybe none as surprising as this week's cover of Amelia Curran's single "The Mistress." Pabineau First Nation rapper Wolf Castle and Halifax rapper Lxvndr expertly flipped the scathing 2009 hit into an accusatory back-and-forth, the two trading verses and perspectives while walking a line between spoken word and rap. When Lxvndr poignantly sings the very last line — "Hello it's me, the mistress, can you please pick up the phone?" — you can hear the ghost of Curran's voice creep back into the mix, just for a second. It's the perfect way to wrap up a song that's almost unrecognizable in its originality, with a little nod to its creator. Stick around after listening to the cover to catch Lxvndr and Wolf Castle's earworm collaboration, "Crash Down." — Holly Gordon

'Your Type,' Fionn

It's one thing to get over a breakup, but it's another thing to accept that your ex has moved on with someone new. And that experience can be even stranger when their new partner shares some similarities with you. Vancouver duo Fionn process these "irrational emotions," as they described on an Instagram post, through their latest song, "Your Type." "But I'm not ready to be happy for you yet/ And I know I have no right to be upset," sisters Alanna and Brianne Finn-Morris confess on the pre-chorus. Their feelings are wrapped up in galvanizing power pop chords, hitting like a tantrum when they chant on the chorus: "Guess I'm still your type/ She's 5'3 but looks like me/ And her name rhymes with mine." Sometimes songs can help artists channel some pretty absurd feelings, but the pure catharsis of listening and singing along to "Your Type" proves that there's a universal kernel of truth there that we can all relate to, whether we want to admit it or not. — ML 

To hear more about these standout songs, tune in to CBC Music Mornings every Thursday (Canada-wide) with producer Ryan Chung and host Saroja Coelho, and Here and Now with Gill Deacon every Wednesday afternoon (in Toronto). Both are available via CBC Listen.