Following the release of recent single Flourish and a short European tour supporting The Barr Brothers, singer-songwriter Shaina Hayes is back with shimmering new song Timid, out now via Bonsound. Blending breezy indie pop textures with the melodic warmth and intimacy that have become signatures of Hayes’ songwriting, Timid is a sparkling ode to introverts and quiet thinkers; a song that celebrates the richness of the inner world while gently encouraging vulnerability and self-expression.
\nDriven by live instrumentation and an effortless sense of movement, the track introduces a slightly rougher-edged energy than some of Hayes’ previous work, while still retaining the softness and emotional clarity that defines her sound. Recorded live in Montreal alongside a band of acclaimed collaborators including Francis Ledoux (drums), Étienne Dupré (bass), David Marchand (electric guitar), and Lysandre Ménard (upright piano), Timid balances looseness and precision in equal measure. Cascading layers of Hayes’ silky vocal harmonies glide over the track’s sunlit instrumentation, creating something that feels both intimate and expansive; indie pop with dirt beneath its fingernails and warmth in its bones.
Timid came about during a period when I was listening to a lot of Julia Jacklin and Billie Marten. Lyrically, I wanted to explore the idea that even at our most articulate, the way we express ourselves is just a tiny glimpse into what’s actually going on inside us - that we contain whole, unseen universes. Ultimately, Timid is a song about everything we feel but rarely manage to express, Shaina explains.
Best experienced with the windows rolled down and summer beginning to settle in, Timid captures a lightness that feels instinctive rather than forced. There’s a quiet confidence running beneath the song; one that encourages stepping outside yourself without abandoning the comfort of introspection entirely.
With the 2024 release of Kindergarten Heart, her latest full-length album, Shaina Hayes garnered attention from Consequence, KCRW (NPR), The Line of Best Fit, Under the Radar, Far Out Magazine, BBC Radio 2, and BBC Radio 6 Music, as well as an enthusiastic review in UK magazine Uncut. The album also landed on the year-end lists of Le Devoir, Radio-Canada, CISM, DOMINIONATED and Le Canal Auditif, among others. Support has continued to grow across the UK and internationally since the release of Flourish earlier this year, with additional praise from publications including Clash, Wonderland, and RTÉ.
About Shaina Hayes
Shaina Hayes is a Canadian singer\u2011songwriter whose music blends folk\u2011pop clarity with alt\u2011country warmth and a deep attention to emotional detail. Known for her graceful vocals, thoughtful lyricism, and quietly magnetic presence, she has emerged as a distinctive voice in contemporary indie folk.
Hayes released her debut album to coax a waltz in 2022, followed by Kindergarten Heart in 2024. Both records introduced her intimate songwriting and earned her a steadily growing audience, leading to tours and opening slots for artists such as The War on Drugs, The Barr Brothers, and Elisapie.
Alongside her musical career, Hayes continues to operate a vegetable farm in the tiny rural hometown where she grew up. The land remains a grounding force in her life, shaping her sense of rhythm, patience, and presence. That dual existence — touring musician and hands\u2011on grower — informs the clarity and steadiness that run through her songs.
Follow Shaina Hayes: Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Bandcamp
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