Winnipeg’s Tyler Del Pino truly challenges the concept of genre to deliver his one-of-a-kind brand of “Canadiana.” Del Pino has a pure passion for songwriting and an honest sound infused with starry-eyed narratives; a hybrid of rock-pop, Americana, and East Coast folk-rock that stays true to the roots of timeless tunes.

His new single, “The Drugs Still Work,” was written as social commentary – an observation of the world as we collectively move through it. There are a barrage of issues that we, societally, need to begin tackling – from climate change’s ominous grip to the rise of authoritarianism, the surge in homelessness, and the enduring specter of conflict and suffering. Amidst this disarray, the song provocatively explores society’s coping mechanisms, whether through literal sedation or subtler distractions like social media and binge-watching.

Everything is changing all the time, it’s the impermanence of life that I find enticing. Especially because everything that occurred in the past happened at a time surrounded by different conditions. Wishing for something to be like it once was is a little like wishing for a time machine. Things change, embrace it. We don’t need to make things great like they were before, we just need to improve where we’re at now! – Tyler Del Pino