On February 13th, just in time for Valentine’s day, Ox & Octopus will release Drifting, an extremely catchy and emotionally charged electro-pop ballad. The song is built on a rich atmospheric ecosystem of organic instruments, grooving bassline, lush synths and a powerfully vulnerable vocal performance. On the surface, Drifting feels like a modern love song, a cry of yearning for another. But the song also invites a more introspective reading, a love song sung by the exiled shadow parts of ourselves that call out to be heard, recognized, and integrated.
Born out of experimentation, the track was originally meant to be a simple intro to another song. Until the melody, hook, and chorus arrived spontaneously and demanded their own space. Songwriter and producer, Jarrod Gawne, wrote the song during his spare time while working as a Special Care Counsellor in the remote Inuit community of Inukjuak, Nunavik. Recording began in 2017, then went dormant for several years before Jarrod dug it out of the archives to finally finish it with renewed clarity and intention. Influenced by Thom Yorke / Radiohead and the synthy sounds of the 80s, Drifting remains distinctly its own through a dynamic blend of electronic and acoustic textures.
Drifting is one of three singles slated to arrive ahead of a full-length album scheduled for April 2026. Following the album release, Ox & Octopus plans to tour in Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, and possibly France. A music video is also planned for early 2026, with a nostalgic ambiance, contact dance scenes, and mirror-based visual effects. Produced by Jarrod Gawne, with mix and mastering by Alex Sergerie (Slamm Audio), Drifting will be available on all streaming platforms on February 13th.

Ox & Octopus est le projet solo de Jarrod Gawne (The Open Rays, Forêt Marine), auteur-compositeur-interprète, multi-instrumentiste et réalisateur établi dans les Laurentides... PLUS
Ox & Octopus is the solo project of Jarrod Gawne (The Open Rays, Forêt Marine), a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and sound producer based in the Laurentians... MORE
