PREMIERE: Montreal's Never Better Perfects Indie Candour with New Track "Leash"

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Rhys Climenhage AKA Never Better

Audio engineers: How do you pass the time when your DAW needs to reboot? 

For Rhys Climenhage, AKA Never Better, technical difficulties sparked writing the title track of their to-be-released debut record Leash. Set to arrive October 11th, 2024, the Montreal singer-songwriter shares the full-length’s opener, all of which came together in “about 10 minutes” on the faithful day their Pro Tools crapped out before heading to work in the studio. 

Climenhage is a friendly face in Montreal’s indie scene, both on stage and behind the mixing board. Since arriving in la belle province from their hometown of Peterborough, Ontario, Climenhage has found themselves “stumbling upwards” creatively, collaborating with fellow scene sweethearts like Sasha Cay, Holobody, James Clayton and Fireball Kid, all while nurturing their solo venture as Never Better. 

With their busy schedule, playing “at most, in like seven bands,” and engineering friends’ works, it makes sense that Climenhage “didn’t intend on making a record” when they first started crafting “Leash”.

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“Leash” single artwork by Amery Sandford

Out today, the album’s lead offering is a tender musical keepsake for Climenhage. The song documents the early days of Climenhage’s relationship with their now partner, and fellow musician, Charlotte. With warm guitar strumming and honeyed harmonies, “Leash” is ever-inviting after the first listen, offering a glimpse into the budding closeness between Climenhage and the apple of their eye. Fittingly, recording “Leash” on a whim began the process of Climenhage seeking artistic consultation from Charlotte on more love songs they wrote for her, which would eventually become the album. 

“By the fifth song I knew it was going to be a record, and I was so excited to share it [with Charlotte], because she is also a musician and I wanted to see what she thought about it,” says Climenhage. “As we continue to date, I find myself being able to write a song in front of her from scratch, which I’ve never been able to do. I was sharing everything with her early on. She was there while I was mixing, and eventually I got the courage to ask her to sing on the record.” 

Climenhage cites the help of many friends making the production of Leash possible. Featuring instrumentation and backing vocals from a cast of local musicians, the album was entirely recorded and produced by Climenhage. Until Leash arrives this fall, Climenhage says they’re planning to roll out a few more singles and announce the album release show in Montreal, already hard at work on their next project.

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LEASH

Out October 11th, 2024

1. Leash

2. No Choice or Chance

3. Pockets

4. Leaf Clover

5. Shuffle Slump

6. Circles

7. Loud and Lazy

8. I’ll Find My Way To You

9. Herd

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Never Better

Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify

Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (she/her) is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of Also Cool Mag. Aside from the mag, she is a music promoter & booker, and a radio host & DJ.

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Never Better Releases Mellow Tracks Downtown (Feat. Mitch Davis) and Silver Lining

Album art by Jem Woolidge

There's this feeling I get when I enter a new era of my life when I realize that the last chapter is slowly slipping away but not quite gone yet. I feel the change around me but can't see it yet other than the faintest signs that things won't be how they are for much longer. 

This moment usually comes during mundane moments, walking home from the grocery store, waiting for the light to change at Parc and Fairmount. Never Better's (AKA Rhys Climenhage) latest tracks Downtown (feat. Mitch Davis) and Silver Lining encapsulate this feeling. 

Lowkey vocals and gentle guitar take you by the hand, guiding you through an existential crisis that you're pushing out of your mind, walking you home through the rain. Light drums and the occasional instrumental interlude break up the vocals just long enough to gather your thoughts before you get home. You're left feeling comforted yet aware that you'll have to process these emotions sometime soon.

Rhys Climenhage is a multi-instrumentalist originally from Peterborough, Ontario, currently living in Montreal, Quebec, where he performs as Never Better. Prior to his solo endeavours, Rhys was active playing in bands Stacey Green Jumps, Texas Wayne, Frank Mothman, and Sasha Cay.

He draws inspiration from his father, a painter and career musician who taught him his first few chords on guitar. After a few years of fiddling on all of the instruments available around the house, Rhys picked up more technical training in his high school jazz band. Today, he plays every instrument on his recordings in his apartment studio built over the years while working in kitchens around the city.

Never Better

Bandcamp I Instagram I Spotify

Malaika Astorga is the Co-Founder & Creative Director of Also Cool. She is a Mexican-Canadian visual artist, writer, and social media strategist currently based in Montreal.

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