Six standout Ottawa tracks from August's #ottmusic playlist worth adding to your rotation

Summer's live music moments—particularly Bluesfest—have kept the city engaged, but Ottawa's local creators have been just as prolific. As the final weeks of summer approach, here are six tracks released this month worth spinning.

Indic rock acts continue to anchor the local sound. The New Hires' "4AM" channels 90s rock angst, delivering what the #ottmusic playlist describes as "a high-energy, chest-punching ode to obsession." The track works best at full volume. Scary Bear Soundtrack is emerging from hibernation with a new album, "past tense future memory", dropping August 10. Their lead single "Corners of Your Mind" explores persistent thoughts with a blend of dream pop, shoegaze and twee pop—a preview of what's coming.

MKAY released his debut EP earlier in July, and "Dance" pulls from "Feelings & Rhythms", blending Afrobeat, Afropop, Afro Fusion and Yoruba rap. The track explores themes of love, celebration, resilience, faith and personal growth—perfect for a summer patio moment. Emma Gabriel returns with "I KNOW WHAT I WANT," an R&B track about new love and certainty in relationships, featuring backing vocals from her partner. It's built for confidence.

Rising hip hop artist jlee's "ICON" focuses on overcoming difficulty and self-belief, built around an upbeat, sample-driven melody and honest lyrics. The track has already been featured on CapitalCityHipHop. Catch him opening for Roney at The Palace in September.

Folk-rock artist Loch Nisse Monster dropped "How Many Ways Can You Let a Woman Down?" while on her summer tour—the lead single for "Forensic (Solved)", the deluxe edition of her debut album. The ballad pairs a haunting, gentle guitar melody with a story of ending relationships, balancing disbelief, resilience and quiet realization.