“New Beginnings” and “Don’t Break My Heart” Mark First Release Through New Sun Music
Ottawa-based singer-songwriter Alicia Kayley is making her commercial debut with the release of two singles, “New Beginnings” and “Don’t Break My Heart,” through New Sun Music, the Nashville-linked label founded by Grammy-nominated artist Crystal Shawanda.
The simultaneous release positions Kayley as one of the emerging Indigenous voices in Canada’s contemporary Pop/R&B and Blues/Soul landscape. Dubbed the “Indigenous Adele” by the Ottawa Citizen, the Algonquin and Tahltan Nation artist is entering the national music market with a project designed to showcase both emotional depth and commercial crossover appeal.
Kayley, who was raised and continues to live in Ottawa, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Carleton University, where she specialized in classical voice and popular songwriting. That academic background has shaped a vocal style that combines technical control with mainstream accessibility.
Before her debut release, Kayley had already established a presence on major Canadian stages, including appearances at the Harbourfront Luminato Festival, Canada Day’s 150th anniversary celebrations on Parliament Hill, and the Site Selection Ceremony for the Residential Schools National Monument. In 2024, she also performed at the Indigenous Day Festival in Whitehorse and Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week.
A Double Release Focused on Emotional Storytelling
The two singles approach themes of relationships, resilience and self-worth from different emotional perspectives.
“New Beginnings” Reflects Personal Growth
According to Kayley, “New Beginnings” was written during a period of personal uncertainty and reflection. The track centres on reassessing a relationship while balancing self-worth and outside advice from trusted people in her life.
“I hated the idea of starting over,” she has shared. “So I chose new beginnings instead – not erasing the past but carrying forward everything it taught me.”
The song positions personal change not as loss, but as progression, a message that aligns with broader themes of recovery and renewal that resonate strongly within contemporary pop songwriting.
Industry observers note that the track’s restrained production and vocal clarity place emphasis on lyrical storytelling rather than heavy studio layering, allowing Kayley’s voice to remain central throughout the performance.
“Don’t Break My Heart” Explores Vulnerability
While “New Beginnings” reflects resolution and acceptance, “Don’t Break My Heart” takes a more vulnerable approach, focusing on emotional openness and the risks attached to trust and intimacy.
Released together, the songs are intended to represent different points within the same emotional journey. The dual-single strategy also gives Kayley an opportunity to introduce audiences to the breadth of her songwriting style early in her career.
The productions, developed within the New Sun Music network in Nashville, blend elements of contemporary pop, R&B and soul while maintaining a stripped-back vocal focus. The label’s involvement also highlights its broader strategy of elevating Indigenous artists into mainstream commercial music spaces.
Indigenous Representation in Mainstream Music
Kayley’s partnership with New Sun Music carries significance beyond the launch of a new recording artist. Shawanda, an Odawa First Nation musician with an established international profile, has increasingly focused on supporting Indigenous talent through the label.
Kayley has publicly stated her intention to create greater visibility for Anishinabe voices within mainstream music, particularly in genres where Indigenous representation has historically been limited.
The release arrives at a time when Canadian music companies and festival organizers are placing greater emphasis on Indigenous inclusion and cultural representation. Analysts within the Canadian music sector have pointed to growing audience demand for artists who bring authentic lived experiences into commercial music formats.
For New Sun Music, Kayley’s debut also represents an investment in long-term artist development rather than a single-market release. Both tracks serve as the first preview of her debut album, scheduled for release later this summer.
Live Performances to Support Momentum
Kayley’s launch campaign will include several live appearances across Ottawa in the coming months, including performances at Hard Rock Ottawa’s Council Oak Stage and a featured slot at Ottawa Bluesfest on July 10.
The Bluesfest appearance is expected to provide exposure to a significantly larger national audience, as the festival remains one of Canada’s highest-profile summer music events.
Upcoming Tour Dates
Ottawa, Ontario
- May 23, 2026 — Hard Rock Cafe Ottawa – Council Oak Stage
- May 30, 2026 — Hard Rock Cafe Ottawa
Ottawa Bluesfest
- July 10, 2026 — Ottawa Bluesfest