Aysanabee details his new album, Edge of the Earth, to be released on June 20, 2025 by Ishkōdé Records. Today’s announcement arrives with two new songs that show the shape and scope of an ambitious, transitional project, one that further develops his sound and explores the nature of change and its impact on his life, relationships and perspective.
In title and theme, Edge of the Earth is situated on the dividing lines drawn by decisions and choices made in critical moments. The songs of this collection, many borne out of conversations with friends, lovers and self, reflect on the emotional crossroads and precipices that catalyze major life changes. As a whole, the project pivots around points of no return, irrevocable breaks after which life will never be the same.
“Without You,” one of two new songs released today, bridges past and present as the thematic crux of the new album, the tension between action and reaction. The song mourns the loss of Watin, his grandfather and namesake of Aysanabee’s debut, as a passing of both kin and time. Accompanied by a wintry, solitary video filmed in Naotkamegwanning First Nation (Whitefish Bay, ON), Aysanabee wrestles with his memories and choices. Speeding over a frozen lake as a stand-in for the unchecked acceleration of time in recent years, “Without You” bears soulful witness with vocals rising to levels of distortion. Watch the video for “Without You” here.
On “The Way We’re Born,” Aysanabee wields the power of music to tackle the topics of privilege and systemic injustice. As it confronts dehumanization, “The Way We’re Born,” recalls Brittany Howard’s “Goat Head” or Black Belt Eagle Scout’s “Nobody” in its approach to raising voice against identity erasure and discrimination, strengthening the link between personal experiences and broader truths. In “The Way We’re Born,” written in the turbulent wake of a conversation that revealed a deep rift in perspective, Aysanabee examines the failure of communication as a larger comment on social disconnection.
A searching, searing work from an artist whose rise to the mainstream has included historic firsts – JUNO Awards, radio charting and more – Edge of the Earth is a resolute statement about what it takes to follow a dream. In Aysanabee’s own words, “To reach a dream, any dream, takes will, sacrifice and reflection. Each of these songs connects with at least one of these themes.” These are elemental truths we must face in pursuit of and in answer to our calling, whatever it may be.
Throughout Edge of the Earth, Aysanabee reveals different dimensions of his JUNO Award winning songwriting and artistry, bringing new timbres, production elements and moods to his much-celebrated and rapidly growing body of work. With moments of potent minimalism and restraint contrasted against dramatic crescendos and emotive crests, Edge of the Earth is a riveting and dynamic work from an artist on a journey that is both exhilarating and exacting.
On March 21, 2025, Aysanabee plays a sold out show at Toronto’s Axis Club to wrap up his Eastern Canadian Now and Then Tour. For his first headline tour of the country, Asyanabee has invited Indigenous artists to share the stage with him at each stop along the way. On the first leg, guests have included Wolf Castle, DeeDee Austin, Silla, Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers and more. This invitation will continue in the fall on The Way We’re Born Tour of western Canada. Interested Indigenous artists are encouraged to apply here by June 20, 2025.
Aysanabee (Ace-in-abbey) is a two-time JUNO award-winning alternative indie artist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer-songwriter. He is Oji-Cree from the Sucker Clan of Sandy Lake First Nation, a remote fly-in community in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Now based in Toronto, he began creating music under his family name when moments of stillness allowed him to slow down and create music that more accurately represents himself as an artist. With a swirling mix of rock, soul, and electronic sounds and pulse-quickening fingerpicking, Aysanabee’s music is both anthemic and cathartic. His style has drawn comparisons to Bon Iver, Matt Corby, Hozier, The Black Pumas, Kings of Leon and more.
In March 2024, Aysanabee made history as the first Indigenous artist to win JUNO Awards for both Alternative Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for his EP Here and Now (October 2023). The EP’s hit single, “Somebody Else,” peaked at #3 on the MediaBase Alternative Chart. The Here and Now tour saw him embarking on two cross-Canada tours alongside Dan Mangan and Allison Russell.
His debut album, Watin (November 2022), named after his grandfather, combined music and journalism with artistry and expression. The album was shortlisted for the 2023 Polaris Music Prize and helped establish Aysanabee as a unique voice in the Canadian music scene. In March 2023, he became the first Indigenous artist to top Mediabase Canada’s Alternative Rock chart with the single “Nomads.”
Since 2021, Aysanabee has performed over 300 shows across Canada and internationally, with appearances at major festivals and events, including Reeperbahn (Germany), The Great Escape (UK), Woodford Folk Festival (Australia), Tallinn Music Week (Estonia), AmericanaFestUK (UK), Tönder Festival (Denmark), Cartagena Festival de Música (Spain) Ottawa Bluesfest, Osheaga and most major folk festivals across Canada. He has shared stages with prominent acts such as The National, Sarah Mclachlan, Broken Social Scene, Kaleo, Alvvays, Blue Rodeo, Arkells, Lights, Nickelback, Digging Roots, Amanda Rheaume, Sam Roberts Band, Our Lady Peace, DJ Shub, Jeremy Dutcher, Mavis Staples, July Talk, Half Moon Run, Tokyo Police Club, Aqua, and more.
Edge of the Earth Tracklist
Embers
The Way We’re Born
Home
Gone Baby Gone
Without You
Into The Fire
Good Love
Edge Of The Earth
Dream Catcher
TOUR DATES
04/28 Zhongzheng District, TW – Jade Music Festival
07/09 Samuelsberg, NO – Riddu Riddu
08/23 Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
09/19 Oshawa, ON – Convergence
11/08 Red Deer, AB – Bo’s Bar & Grill
11/11 Lake Country, BC – Creekside Theatre
11/15 Victoria, BC – Wicket Concert Hall
11/17 Campbell River, BC – Tidemark Theatre
11/19 Vernon, BC – The Vernon Towne Theatre
11/20 Banff, AB – Jenny Belzberg Theatre
11/22 Saskatoon, SK – Capitol Music Club
11/24 Regina, SK – The Exchange
11/25 Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
