Queer Toronto-based artist offers an impressive 46-minute album debut delivered in three distinctive (and catchy) acts

TORONTO, ON (January 12, 2021) - On January 22, 2021, Toronto-based pop artist Cory Stewart drops his 17-track debut album ‘TOV’, a musical journey broken into three acts: betrayal, heartbreak and survival. Meticulously crafted over three years by Stewart and award-winning Canadian producer Gavin Bradley: ‘TOV’ was named after one of Cory’s life-long friends, Tovah Natalie, who passed away from cancer during the 2020 pandemic. ‘TOV’ is the follow-up to Stewart’s EP ’7 Different Sides’, which led to him opening for Boy George and the Culture Club in 2018.

The album will be released under label Embrace Disruption (in partnership with AWAL/Kobalt) and features an all-star list of LGBTQ+ indie musicians, contributors and collaborators including Gavin Bradley, Jxckson, Kisos, MDL CHLD, Michelle Mondesir (of Madame Psychosis) and Zach Benson.

Pulling from influences in Stewart’s musical career, including the dance elements of Madonna and Kylie Minogue, the humour of Bette Midler, and the drama of Phantom of the Opera, Stewart hopes ‘TOV’ will be more than just a collection of songs, but a story of resilience and strength – geared to be experienced in full album form.

“Listening to an album from top to bottom is a lost pleasure these days,” says Stewart. “When writing songs for ‘TOV’, I worked closely with Gavin (Bradley) to make sure we told a story — one that could only be fully understood by listening in full; while also ensuring that each song carries its own individual narrative.”

Tracks like ‘What If’, ‘Poison’ (feat. MDL CHLD) and ‘End of Me’ (feat. Michelle Mondesir) explore themes of betrayal (both self-inflicted and external) through a dance floor beat, while ‘Happiness in Heartache’, ‘Little Lies’ and ‘Do You’ examine the complexities of heartbreak, through several perspectives. Followed by ’Grab the Fire’ (feat. Jxckson), ‘No More Trips to London’ (featuring background vocals from Stewart’s mother, written about the loss of his grandmother), ‘Unhappy’ and ‘Little One’ (written and recorded for the album’s namesake Tovah – and played for her the night she passed), which deal with the pain of loss, and the struggle of survival. The album is also seasoned with tracks like ’Tu·mul·tu·ous Situation’, ‘Cut Those **** off’ and ‘Maybe I’m Insane’ which act as story-telling interstitials throughout the project’s 46-minute runtime.

‘TOV’ Track Listing

t.   Betrayal

1. What If
2. Poison (feat. MDL CHLD)
3. Outta My Head
4. End of Me (feat. Michelle Mondesir)

o.   Heartbreak

5. Tu·mul·tu·ous Situation
6. Happiness in Heartache
7. Little Lies
8. Do You
9. Anyway

v.   Survival

10. Cut Those **** off
11. Grab the Fire (LP Version) [feat. Jxckson]
12. You’re Like Mom
13. No More Trips to London
14. Unhappy
15. Maybe I’m Insane
16. Why Do I Even Try
17. Little One (feat. Tovah Natalie) [Demo]
 

‘TOV’ will be available on all streaming platforms January 22, 2021, and can be pre-saved/purchased by visiting http://coryjstewart.com.
 

About Cory Stewart

Cory Stewart has been described as synth-pop’s “smooth voice” (Billboard, 2020) who creates “fearless, unapologetic and relentlessly catchy” music (Canadian Beats, 2018). Stewart has been a supporting act for several legendary artists including the likes of Boy George and Crystal Waters. He is the host of the Official Queerantine Aftershow, which accompanies the weekly TRL-style indie music showcase show Queerantine, airing Sundays at 4:30 p.m. EST (new season begins January 2021). Cory also hosts the monthly online event “Queer Music Social”, which gathers musicians from around the world, and pairs them with music experts for Q&A style panels.

Website: www.coryjstewart.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/coryjstewart

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coryjstewart

Twitch: www.twitch.tv/coryjstewart

What advice do you have for people venturing into the Social Media world?