Gord Downie and Bob Rock, courtesy.

Scotland’s answer to Jarvis Cocker with Hamish Hawk, featuring Choctaw Nation’s Samantha Crain. A new song from the late Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie, with Bob Rock. New Yorkers Frankie Rose and Hooray For Earth both have catchy new tracks. Reckless Son will leave you pontificating about the world we live in. And if you’re craving garage rock, look no further than Crocodiles and the the Velvet Hands.

Hamish Hawk and Samantha Crain, “Rest & Veneers” – Scotland’s Hamish Hawk has released one of the most beautifully written romantic songs of this new year. This song is off his new American debut album, Angel Numbers. His poetic lyrical style is right up there on par with the likes of Jarvis Cocker and Morrissey. “Rests & Veneers” brings together a waltz-like number with the jangly pop of ’60s Laurel Canyon. Choctaw Nation singer Samantha Crain’s floaty vocals give rise to hauntingly beautiful harmonies. Add in a bit of pedal steel, a slight country twang sound and you get this soft dreamy number.

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Frankie Rose, “Sixteen Ways” – Brooklyn’s Frankie Rose is bringing about the dreamiest of music. This song sounds like a perfect mashup of School of Seven Bells and Blonde Redhead. The song begins with a hypnotic intro of guitars and synths that start the journey. Frankie Rose’s vocals are ethereal. Add some shimmering guitars, and the song seems to glide along. It’s one of those close-your-eyes, magical kind of journeys. If you’re a fan of Rose, six years is quite the wait since her last material, but this is worth it. This song is off her forthcoming album, Love As Projection.

Gord Downie and Bob Rock, “The Moment Is A Wild Place” – There’s almost a cruelty that this song just came out. If you don’t know Gord Downie, you should! He was the heart of Canada as the frontman of  The Tragically Hip. Sadly, he passed away in 2017 of brain cancer. But we remain blessed and there’s more Gord Downie still to be heard.

“The Moment Is A Wild Place” is achingly beautiful. The lyrics hit you in the heart. Downie’s voice is stronger than ever as he sings, “Don’t/ Just do something/ Stand there/ They say, ‘Ya gotta live in the moment.'” It’s like he’s commanding us from beyond to seize every moment. This epic ballad is a collaboration 10 years in the making between Downie and legendary producer and musician Bob Rock (Metallica, Mötley Crüe). It’s the first single off 14-track album Lustre Parfait, out in May.

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The Velvet Hands, “40 Up 40 Down” – The Velvet Hands are a quartet from London, by way of Cornwall. This song is brash, in-your-face, and punchy AF. It’s reminiscent of early Libertines, mixed in with some Vaccines and Strokes. It has all the gritty garage rock guitars your heart desires. The Velvet Hands will make you get out of your seat and start punching in the air as you bounce around. The riffs are blistering, the chorus is catchy and “40 Up 40 Down” has a bolshie style (my new favorite word thanks to the Brits).

Hooray For Earth, “La Que” – New York synth band Hooray For Earth has reissued 2011 LP True Loves. And it includes this previously unreleased track, “La Que.” Singer Noel Heroux did some deep hard drive digging and found fragmented lyrics to create this number. It’s a musical odyssey that goes through a lush soundscape. The song begins with dreamy electro-pop beats that ebb and flow. But don’t get too comfortable, because there’s an alternate force coming at you as the song grows bigger and brasher. While it might seem that this shouldn’t work, it does and it’s magical.

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Crocodiles, “Degeneration” – The surf-rockers out of San Diego are finally back. Crocodiles are bringing back their refreshing psychedelic-sounding guitars. And the duo’s vocals sound like a straight-up mix of The Who and the long, lost members of The Beach Boys. Lots of reverbed, fuzzy and sunny guitars come blasting in and out. The song has a ’60s doo-wop sound with the wall of sound. “Degeneration” has an infectious chorus. The song is bouncy, danceable and a good time. Crocodiles’ new album, Upside Down In Heaven, comes out in April.

Reckless Son, “Praying For Rain” – Matt Butler, who performs as Reckless Son, just released his self-titled EP. It contains songs from his one-man theater show of monologues and music inspired by his experiences performing in prisons throughout the country. Butler has a gritty roughness to his vocals that capture an ache. “Praying For Rain” is a powerful Americana song that weaves a story that’s ultimately about asking for help. It’s simple yet electrifying, with just a guitar and a voice that makes us want to listen.

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Rachel’s Pick: Thanks to some Canadian friends a lifetime ago, I first heard about The Tragically Hip. And thankfully I was fortunate enough to see them live in New York. Webster Hall was packed to see them in a smaller venue. Gord Downie delivered joy like no other and I’ve never forgotten that night. When I saw his name on a new song, my heart stopped. “The Moment Is A Wild Place” is this heart-aching, beautiful song. It reminds us to not take anything for granted and get out there and live. It’s a seven-minute journey I get to live “with” Gord Downie one more time.

Follow writer Rachel Goodman at Twitter.com/xneverwherex and Instagram.com/xneverwherex.