CJ WILEY – “GET PAID”
DEBUT ALBUM SO BRAND NEW OUT NOW VIA TINY KINGDOM
The wait is over for fans of rising Canadian singer-songwriter CJ Wiley (they/them) as they dropped their debut album So Brand New, on February 28th.
A fearless exploration of gender identity, queer love, addiction and self discovery, So Brand New weaves together a seamless blend of 90s slacker rock intensity with soul-baring Americana storytelling. Through ballads twanged slightly country and anthems skewed slightly grunge, the eight-track collection, produced by Boy Golden and mixed by Grammy Award winning engineer Mark Lawrence, showcases Wiley’s distinct voice – armed with wit, candor, and raw energy. Their gift for wrapping complex themes in irresistible melodies speaks to outsiders everywhere while holding special resonance for queer audiences. “During the pandemic, I realized I could go back to my roots and start over,” Wiley reflects. “I started writing songs that felt like me.”
Backed by Julia Wittmann (lead guitar), Maddy Kirby (rhythm guitar), Nick McKinley (drums), and Kate Palumbo (bass), Wiley crafts music that’s both politically engaged and personally intimate. This down-and-dirty-roots-rock revelation ranges from the gender fluidity exploration in ‘Growing Out My Hair’ to addressing mutual aid work in ‘Gasoline,’ maintaining a delicate balance between serious subject matter and playful delivery.
The album’s focus track ‘Get Paid,’ co-written with Tokyo Police Club’s Dave Monks, emerges as a defiantly catchy anti-capitalist anthem. Wiley’s signature blend of grit and grace soars over sun-drenched country instrumentation and infectious pop hooks, channeling the spirit of Sheryl Crow while carving out its own contemporary identity. “Get Paid takes a tongue-in-cheek look at how expensive it is to be alive,” they expand. “It captures the feeling of being stuck in a society we’re sick of, enduring it for the sake of our loved ones, while knowing full well that we all deserve something much more meaningful.”
Emerging from Toronto’s vibrant music scene, Wiley has quickly established themselves as one of Canada’s most compelling new voices in alternative music. Their artistic journey reflects their commitment to authentic storytelling and musical innovation, earning comparisons to contemporary artists like Courtney Barnett, Orville Peck, and Sharon Van Etten. From being named one of Exclaim!’s Most Anticipated Albums of 2025 to commanding a prime billboard spot at Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square for the Queer Collective’s OUT LOUD campaign, their presence has become undeniable in Canada’s cultural landscape.
Beyond their musical achievements, Wiley is making waves in the LGBTQ+ community as the founder of Big Gay Night Toronto, an event series creating safe spaces for self-expression and providing emerging queer artists with performance opportunities. Wiley’s music sits comfortably alongside contemporary artists like Tegan & Sara, MUNA, and HAIM, while maintaining its own distinct identity. Their latest offering incorporates elements reminiscent of Elliott Smith’s introspection and Radiohead’s innovation, creating a unique blend that appeals to fans of alternative, Americana, and slacker rock genres.
So Brand New is out now via Tiny Kingdom Music.
CJ Wiley
So Brand New
(Tiny Kingdom)
Release Date: February 28, 2025
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