SLACK ROCKER CJ WILEY ANNOUNCES DEBUT LP, SO BRAND NEW, OUT FEBRUARY 28, 2025 VIA TINY KINGDOM MUSIC
WATCH / SHARE “ADELAIDE” HERE
BUY / STREAM “ADELAIDE” HERE
PRE-SAVE SO BRAND NEW HERE
PRE-ORDER SO BRAND NEW VINYL HERE
Photo Credit : Stella Gigliotti // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES
A groundswell of gripping slacker rock, non-binary singer-songwriter CJ Wiley doesn’t waste any time. Twirling guitars, a steady drum beat, crunchy bass; ballads twanged slightly country, anthems skewed slightly grunge; a message of love and anger, healing and rancour; all of which are found on their debut LP, So Brand New, set for release on February 28, 2025 via Tiny Kingdom.
Produced by Boy Golden, So Brand New is a journey through the ever-shifting landscapes of identity and self-acceptance. This album explores embracing change and finding comfort in the continuous evolution of who we are. It delves into themes of grief, nostalgia, queer love, struggles with drug addiction, and the rejection of gender performance, while also addressing the absurdity of how expensive it is just to be alive these days. At its core, the album reflects the idea that no one is ever just one thing; we are all fluid, constantly adapting through the various stages of our lives.
Having already released album singles “Cheap Therapy” and “No One Like U”, Wiley is also sharing the new track, “Adelaide”, a heartfelt tribute to chosen family and the conscious choice to love and grow together instead of growing apart. “When I was writing songs for my album, Boy Golden introduced me to the writer Bell Hooks, who has many beautiful perspectives on love,” says Wiley of the track. “The quote, ‘Love is as love does. Love is an act of will—namely, both an intention and an action,’ really resonates with me. It reminded me of the relationship I have with my best friend.
“I wrote ‘Adelaide’ for my best friend during a tough time she was going through. I wanted it to serve as a reminder that no matter what happens, I’ll always be there for her. We met in high school in grade 10 drama class—she was the ‘good kid,’ and I was the stoner kid always getting into trouble. As adults, we lead very different lives; I’m constantly on the road while she has a 9-to-5 job that keeps her anchored in Toronto. Despite our separate paths, we talk almost every day and go on adventures whenever we get the chance.
“We’ve experienced a lot of ups and downs and seen each other evolve through many stages of life. ‘Adelaide’ is a song about choosing to grow with someone rather than growing apart.”
WATCH / SHARE “ADELAIDE” HERE
BUY / STREAM “ADELAIDE” HERE
MORE ABOUT SO BRAND NEW
So Brand New is a journey through the ever-shifting landscapes of identity and self-acceptance, embracing change and finding comfort in the continuous evolution of who we are. The album reflects on the feeling of having lived multiple lives within a single lifetime and confronts the irresistible urge to reinvent and start again. It delves into themes of grief, nostalgia, queer love, struggles with drug addiction, and the rejection of gender performance, while also addressing the absurdity of how expensive it is just to be alive these days. At its core, it captures the idea that no one is ever just one thing; we are all fluid, constantly adapting through the various stages of our lives.
“Growing Out My Hair" marks "a pivotal moment in embracing my non-binary identity and breaking away from societal expectations of androgyny," says Wiley. "In "People Please," I challenge the music industry’s ideals of who I should be and what will make me successful, reflecting on my attempts to fit that mold before realizing I’d rather create art that truly represents me. "Don't Die Charlie" confronts my decade-long battle with drug addiction and the people I lost along the way, capturing my decision to leave that life behind to avoid deeper self-destruction and isolation. Meanwhile, "Adelaide" is a heartfelt tribute to chosen family and the conscious choice to love and grow together instead of growing apart. The title track, "So Brand New," captures the seductive essence of finding ourselves within others, discovering parts of our identity through alluring new perspectives.”
WATCH / SHARE “NO ONE LIKE U” (OFFICIAL VIDEO) HERE
BUY / STREAM “NO ONE LIKE U” HERE
So Brand New blends deeply emotional and uplifting tracks with a slacker rock vibe, seamlessly marrying introspective singer-songwriter elements with a polished, radio-friendly sound. Featuring ballads with a hint of country twang and anthems that skew slightly grunge, it creates a unique experience characterized by rich, textured arrangements and candid lyricism. This collection serves as a musical reflection on identity and the courage it takes to let go of who others think we should be, embracing the full range of who we’re becoming. The result is a set of songs that feel both intimately personal and universally relatable, celebrating the transformative journey of self-discovery and the acceptance of our ever-changing selves.
WATCH / SHARE “CHEAP THERAPY” (OFFICIAL VIDEO) HERE
BUY / STREAM “CHEAP THERAPY” HERE
MORE ABOUT CJ WILEY
Performing alongside artists like Tokyo Police Club, Shannon and the Clams, or Haley Blais, and already a mainstay in the city’s queer music scene as the host of the Big Gay Night concert series, Wiley introduces themselves in songs as categorical and entrancing as the sold-out shows they organize. Aflame in a stirring spectrum of soulful Sheryl Crow Americana and the electric grumblings of Garbage or Hole, sometimes in the space of a single song, Wiley’s distinct voice carries their project with the wit, candour, and excitement of an artist with a striking perspective and a heart that demands to be heard.
PRE-SAVE SO BRAND NEW HERE
PRE-ORDER SO BRAND NEW VINYL HERE
SO BRAND NEW TRACKLIST
01 No One Like U
02 Get Paid
03 People Please
04 Adelaide
05 Growing Out My Hair
06 Don’t Die Charlie
07 Cheap Therapy
08 So Brand New
