Barry Muir: Canvas
Barry Muir Reignites the Spark on “Canvas”
by Jack Rush
From his formative years with The Payola$, through his acclaimed run with Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts, to his work with The Blue Shadows, Barry Muir has carved out a reputation as one of Canada’s most quietly influential musicians. With gold and platinum records to his name and multiple Junos in his rear-view, Muir could easily rest on decades of success. Instead, he continues to evolve—fearlessly, faithfully, and with a veteran’s grace.
“Some fires never quite burn out; they just wait for the right moment to reignite.”
That sentiment sits at the heart of “Smoke Filled Room,” the first single from Muir’s just released album Canvas. Where much of his earlier catalogue leans toward rock and roots, this new track dives confidently into ’70s R&B, jazz, and smooth-soul territory—a sophisticated shift that feels both refreshing and completely natural.
Co-written with Joanne Stacey and Lucy LeBlanc, “Smoke Filled Room” explores the charged, bittersweet moment when you unexpectedly cross paths with an ex and realize the flame is still flickering. Muir’s writing captures that emotional complexity with nuanced storytelling and a warm, understated vocal delivery that feels lived-in and deeply human.
Musically, the song unfolds like a slow exhale. It opens with gentle, expressive guitarwork before giving way to understated grooves, elegant strings, and a velvety atmosphere that feels almost cinematic. The production is lush without being overcrowded—everything serves the mood, the memory, and the quiet electricity between two people who thought they were long past their story.
This single marks what may be Muir’s most adventurous and atmospheric work to date. After ten consecutive years of releasing albums—each one reflecting new explorations in songwriting and self-production—he’s an artist who refuses to stagnate. His craft continues to deepen, blending experience, intuition, and musical sensibility into something genuinely timeless.
For newcomers, “Smoke Filled Room” is a perfect entry point: a seasoned musician with nothing left to prove, offering a track full of warmth, subtlety, and emotional clarity. For long-time fans, it’s a compelling reminder that Muir is still pushing forward, still experimenting, and still finding new colors to paint with.
As the first glimpse into Canvas, the song sets the bar high. If the rest of the album follows this path, listeners are in for Muir’s most expansive and expressive project yet.
A chance reunion, a rekindled spark, and a smooth soul-jazz landscape—Barry Muir transforms it all into something quietly powerful.
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