Evocative singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Plain Mister Smith released his latest single, “Dream To Be Free,” on 6 February 2026 via Amelia Records / Symphonic Distribution.
The track, featuring Jordan Klassen, premiered with tastemaker publication Spill Magazine and marks the fourth single from his forthcoming album, set for release in Spring 2026.
Formerly the guitarist for Canadian darkwave outfit Moev, Plain Mister Smith is also a cellist with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra.
Under his solo moniker, his music has garnered support from leading outlets including NPR Music, Wonderland Magazine, CLASH Magazine, NOTION, Under The Radar, Earmilk, METAL Magazine, Noctis Mag and Atwood Magazine.
Plain Mister Smith is a Transatlantic Creative Force
Based between Vancouver and London, Plain Mister Smith is known for crafting eclectic indie-folk and psych-rock soundscapes, pairing quick-witted lyricism with a strong undercurrent of introspection. His work blends atmosphere and melody in a way that feels both cinematic and deeply personal.
“Dream To Be Free” will resonate with fans of Death Cab for Cutie, The War on Drugs and Pavement. The track balances reflection and whimsy with ease, carried by shimmering keys, soft syncopated drums and richly layered instrumentation.
Plain Mister Smith’s and Jordan Klassen’s plaintive vocals intertwine to evoke the sensation of a city flashing past in fragments – memory refracted through motion and distance.
The Story Behind “Dream To Be Free”
Speaking about the track, Plain Mister Smith describes “Dream To Be Free” as a mesmeric reflection on a decades-old journey to Kyoto. He notes that travelling to a distant place can feel like the ultimate act of freedom – or a quieter form of escape from home.
The trip coincided with Diamonji, the annual festival when enormous bonfires are lit on the hills surrounding Kyoto to guide ancestral spirits back to the spirit world. For him, the experience carried symbolic weight. What seemed like movement away from something became, instead, a return to a source of renewal – a subtle act of rebirth.
With “Dream To Be Free,” Plain Mister Smith continues to blur the lines between recollection and imagination, crafting songs that linger long after the final note fades.
You can stream “Dream To Be Free” HERE.
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