CMAGIC5 unveils Infectious New Pop-Punk Banger “GAME BOY”
Rising Canadian sensation, CMAGIC5, is back with an edgy, fresh, pop-punk anthem “Game Boy” that showcases a bold and rebellious attitude. With its raw lyrics and catchy melodies, the song captures the relatable frustrations and emotions that come with being manipulated and deceived in a relationship. Carrying a similar energy to Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” and Leah Kate’s “10 Things I Hate About You”, It combines elements of punk and pop to create a high-energy and empowering sound that will resonate with listeners.
“Game Boy” is a high-octane and infectious pop-punk song that embodies the spirit of rebellion and empowerment. It confronts societal expectations, challenges toxic relationships, and encourages listeners to stand up for themselves. With its catchy hooks, energetic instrumentation, and relatable lyrics, this song is sure to resonate with fans of the genre and anyone seeking a defiant anthem against manipulation and deceit. It is the ultimate soundtrack for your late-night dance parties in your bedroom, screaming out to a hairbrush as a microphone, or cruising in your car with the windows down!
Listen to “Game Boy” below and learn more about CMAGIC5 via our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hey everyone! I go by the moniker of CMAGIC5, but feel free to call me ‘C’! I’m a singer/songwriter, musician, and recording artist from Toronto. With an infectious energy and a rock ‘n’ roll spirit, I love writing powerful pop-rock & pop-punk anthems that get your heart pumping and invite you to channel that “main character energy.” Some of my musical inspirations include Avril Lavigne, Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, Miley Cyrus, and Lady Gaga. My passion for music manifested itself during my early years which is an extension of who I am today. A fun fact about me is that I’m a full-time musician and full-time student at the same time. It’s definitely a challenging balancing act, but I wouldn’t trade this wild ride for anything else and I’m looking forward to what’s yet to come! I love the grind as I get to do what I love the most – making music!
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
“Game Boy” marks the beginning of a new CMAGIC5 era and the perfect time for my latest release. I envisioned “Game Boy” as a 3-minute crash course or a quick reference guide on getting over toxic situations or people before the song ends. I wanted to offer my take and create a ridiculously catchy and modern pop-punk anthem for the broken-hearted. Growing up, I believe many of us feel pressured by society’s expectations and still do, especially young females (i.e., “sitting with your legs crossed, speaking up but not too much, etc”). I wanted to capture that candid sentiment of feeling ‘trapped’ through the metaphor of being stuck and treated like a video game. Writing this song helped me realize the importance of taking control of my own life. Through youthful emotion-soaked lyrics, I want to encourage listeners to stand up against unrealistic standards through a bold and playful yet rebellious attitude. The lyrics specifically address a toxic ex-lover who undermined my worth by demanding unrealistic expectations. This being the first single off my upcoming 9-track album, “Game Boy” sets the tone as a bold, edgy, and empowering banger that would inspire listeners to step into the best version of themselves unapologetically. The instrumentation of “Game Boy” is a blend of pop meets punk rock. It’s characterized by punchy distorted guitars, driving drums, and an energetic bassline, which is the essence of the CMAGIC5 sound.
Where do you tend to pull inspiration from when writing?
I believe one of the beautiful elements of songwriting and creating music is that there is never a fixed formula because inspiration can hit you anywhere, anytime. As a singer and songwriter, the creative process can vary from one song to another. Usually, it’s a mix of anything that happens around me or to me directly. I might even be writing a song about you right now. The inspiration for writing songs came to me very naturally as a child when I started writing melodies at the age of 6. Similarly, I captured anything around me that motivated me at that age such as colors, books, and animals, and put it into a song. Inspiration tends to hit me in the weirdest places like the shower or even in my dreams. This kinda sounds like a “Black Mirror” episode, but there have been many hook or lyric ideas that manifested themselves in my dreams, and when I woke up I would quickly voice memo the idea. At the end of the day, I hope listeners can say goodbye to heartbreak, toxic friends, and self-limiting beliefs and come out of it stronger and more confident. I think there’s a certain kind of magic when it comes to overcoming life’s toughest challenges together and moving on. Every fall leads to a rise and you fall again but rise soon after.
Do you have any upcoming shows you’d like to tell us about?
Definitely! With festival season here, fans can catch me at a bunch of shows in Canada with my band, and “Game Boy” is definitely included in the setlist! I recently finished performing for CMW-Canadian Music Week. Next, I’ll be performing at the Festival of Smiles in Vaughan, Niagara, and Hamilton and then I’ll be headlining Youth Day Global on July 23rd at the Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto. I’m so excited to rock out with everyone in person. You can stay updated with my performance schedule on your favorite social media platform! See you there 🙂
What’s your goal for 2023?
2023 has been a wild ride so far, and I’m enjoying every moment. I’ve been fortunate enough to be releasing and working on a ton of new music, connecting with fans, and playing exciting shows. I’m so excited to share that “Game Boy” is the first single off my upcoming 9-track LP dropping in 2024. In a nutshell, my upcoming LP is going to be a punchy kaleidoscope of power pop anthems inviting you to channel that “main character energy” and celebrate YOU unapologetically. I’m hoping it’ll be the ultimate soundtrack for late-night dance parties in your bedroom, screaming out to a hairbrush as a microphone, or cruising in your car with the windows down. That’s the best kind of therapy IMO. The singles will be dropping every month so stay tuned on socials! Working hard on my next album and putting all the pieces together has been my ultimate goal for the year. When more of the singles start to drop, I hope to be a supporting act for other artists and go on tour soon!