This week’s Five Songs You Must Hear list will get you up to speed on the Sugar reunion, solve the mystery behind the name TTSSFU, offer up some Winnipeg bedroom pop, and introduce you to two new genres: anxiety-pop and egg-punk.
1. Sugar, Long Live Love
Single (BMG)
Recommended If You Like: Welcome returns
The last time Bob Mould and Sugar released an album was in 1994. Yes, 32 years ago. Late last year, fans were stunned when he announced the band was being reactivated with a single (House of Dead Memories) and a world tour that is, alas, without any Canadian gigs. This song was written during the latter years of the George W. Bush administration. Bob thinks it sounds like a lost Garbage song. Stream now and grab the 7-inch when it comes out May 1.
2. TTSSFU, Upstairs
Single (Partisan Records)
RIYL: Awkward band names
TTSSFU is out of Wigan, England, and fronted by 21-year-old Tasmin Stephens, who started posting music on SoundCloud when she was 16. It’s lovely, scuzzy, shoegaze-adjacent alt-pop that already has the attention of Dave Grohl. Stephen says she loves to explore “romantic squalor,” anxiety, and chaos. What does TTSSFU stand for? Apparently, it’s “Thankyou Tasmin Stephens Somuch Forhaving Us.” Glad we got that settled.
3. tofusmell, (Me Tomorrow)
Single (Hardly Art Records)
RIYL: Quiet bedroom pop
Rae Chen, otherwise known as tofusmell, started out in their Winnipeg bedroom posting Garageband recordings. Eventually, these songs made their way to TikTok where Rae quickly grabbed 20,000 followers. Now things are spreading beyond that. Check out this song co-produced with Winnipeg keyboardist Keiran Packatka. It starts slowly and quietly, but then…
4. Mitksi, Where’s My Phone?
Nothing’s About to Happen to Me (Dead Oceans)
RIYL: “Anxiety pop”
Mitski (Mitsuki Laycock, Japanese-born, American-raised) is about to release her eighth album (February 27) and has chosen this as the lead-off single. This feels like a lovely throwback to the carefree years before 2016, after which, as we all know, the world went to hell. There’s even a name for this sort of thing now: “anxiety-pop.” I can abide.
5. Snõõper, Guard Dog
Single (Third Man)
RIYL: “Egg Punk”
Coming from Nashville and fronted by a former teacher, Blair Tramel, Snõõper found a fan in Jack White (hence the Third Man deal). They’re punky, but not very serious. Hey, they use papier-mâché puppets at their gigs, and their mascot is a large green bug. Oh, and one of their members is named “Happy.” Fans have come to call their music “egg punk.” There are two albums available in case you’re feeling all egg punk-y. The video may have more dogs that any other video in history.
© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Ad Choices