EMM GRYNER Releases New Single TOUCH THE SKY A Musical Tribute to Canada’s Historic Artemis II Mission
Accomplished Canadian, London-based artist, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and author Emm Gryner releases a new single “Touch The Sky” and the accompanying videoon January 23, 2026, on all digital streaming platforms. The beautifully crafted, uplifting song was created to commemorate Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s role in NASA’s historic Artemis II mission — the first crewed journey around the Moon since the Apollo missions, and a defining milestone in Canada’s space history. For more information, please visit any of the artist links below and at her website.
The song is released by Emm Gryner as a standalone single, with 100 % of the proceeds from streaming to be donated to the Bluewater Health Foundation. In addition to its digital release, a limited number of handmade physical copies of “Touch The Sky”are being sent to Gryner’s Kickstarter fan community — a project Gryner describes as a true “song for the people.” The community’s support helped fund this release alongside two of her upcoming albums
Written by Steven MacKinnon (Marc Jordan, Serena Ryder), acclaimed poet Michael Holmes, executive editor at ECW Press, and three-time JUNO Award nominee Gryner, “Touch The Sky”reflects on Hansen’s life journey, perseverance, and the extraordinary responsibility of representing Canada on one of humanity’s most ambitious explorations.
The song was produced by JUNO winner MacKinnon and mixed by Order of Canada recipient Greg Wells (Wicked, The Greatest Showman), lending cinematic scope and emotional resonance to a piece that bridges music, storytelling, and space exploration.
The idea for “Touch The Sky” emerged from conversations between longtime friends Emm Gryner and Catherine Hansen, who both felt that such a momentous chapter in Canadian history deserved to be honoured through song.
Review
This track feels like a massive, cinematic exhale. It starts in a quiet, personal place—just a key and a phone call—before transitioning into something much bigger. It perfectly captures that weightless moment when you finally break past your own limits and everything starts to look different from a higher perspective.
The imagery of looking down at the world and seeing “one more light” is really moving. It’s a song about connection and clarity, grounded by the idea that even when you’re “part of everyone,” there’s still that one specific love keeping you brave enough to keep climbing. It feels like the “Overview Effect” put to music—where all the small fears of life finally click into place and make sense.
Ultimately, it’s an anthem for anyone who’s finally found their “lift.” It’s unashamedly hopeful, leaning hard into the magic of a fresh start. By the time it hits those final lines, you can practically feel the momentum. It’s the kind of writing that makes you want to roll the windows down and just let the optimism take over.