Joseph Shabason and Dawn Richard's ode to Sade, and 3 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.

Broken Hearted Sade, Joseph Shabason and Dawn Richard

There are covers, there are mash-ups and then there's Joseph Shabason and Dawn Richard's latest collaboration. On Broken Hearted Sade, the Toronto saxophonist and producer creates a new hybrid form of sorts by repurposing his track Broken Hearted Kota, off his 2019 Anne, EP, and bringing R&B artist Richard on to sing a mash-up of the Sade hits, No Ordinary Love, Is It a Crime and Cherish the Day. While each element comes from pre-existing releases, there's a laidback sense of improvisation throughout, and as Shabason explains in a statement, that's exactly how this collaboration started. While touring with Richard and Spencer Zahn last fall, Shabason would soundcheck with Broken Hearted Kota. "Almost immediately after the first soundcheck, Dawn would come in and start singing Sade songs over the chords," he said. "It worked so seamlessly that we made it part of the show every night." With Broken Hearted Sade, they've created the ultimate homage to one of music's most singular acts. — Melody Lau

6REASONSWHY, Samant

Samant is back with another single from his upcoming debut album, and this time he enlisted the help of another one of my fave emerging Montrealers, Koko Love. 6ReasonsWhy was co-written by Koko Love, who also lends his voice to the song. The pair make an impressive songwriting duo: 6ReasonsWhy is infinitely catchy, tackling a tough subject with the brightest of vibes. As Samant's falsetto glides over bopping synths and drums, he paints the picture of an ill-fated relationship that he's not too sad to see come to an end: "You and I never felt that good." From avoidant behaviour, the fear of rejection and unreciprocated emotions, it seems the relationship was doomed from the start, but Samant and Koko Love made a banger out of the ashes. — Kelsey Adams 

Hypnotized, Kola

"What happens when you combine bass, drums, keys, talkbox and falsetto vocals?" Montreal producer Kola asked on Instagram about his newest funk R&B jam, Hypnotized. The answer? A temperature-raising contender for song of the summer. Kola brings a sultry touch to the track, sliding over polished beats and Bootsy Collins-inspired instrumentals. "You got me hypnotized," he sings, sounding enamoured and eager to win over his love interest. His vocals, which sound a little Thundercat-like thanks to his use of his silky upper register, easily glide up before dipping into some gloriously distorted, talk-boxed ad libs. The song's groove is mesmerizing, and the break at the 3:08 mark really hits it home with its smooth bassline bumping along. Fans of Silk Sonic or the Free Nationals will likely consider the hip-swinging song to be a natural fit on their playlists. — Natalie Harmsen

Borrow My Boots, Tami Neilson

Tami Neilson returns this year with her first release of original music since 2022's chart-topping Kingmaker, and her most recent single is a country banger and empowerment anthem rolled into one. Featuring American country singers Shelly Fairchild and Ashley McBryde (whose friendship inspired the song), as well as rising guitarist Grace Bowers (who recently played for Dolly Parton and toured with Slash), Borrow My Boots shares its shine-theory message while riding a banjo line primed to fight for your song of the summer. "Hey hey sister, sometimes the only way through/ is to knock it down, break it loose, kick it in/ and borrow my boots," Neilson's powerhouse voice announces on the chorus. As a fun bonus, the video for Borrow My Boots features all four women onstage for Neilson's Grand Ole Opry debut. Neon Cowgirl, Neilson's 10th album, will be out July 11. — Holly Gordon