Heated Rivalry, the television adaptation of Nova Scotia author Rachel Reid’s sold-out book, has taken the internet by storm.
The show is about two closeted major league hockey players, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who are pitted against each other from the moment they’re drafted. Their rivalry is laced with sexual tension and obsession as they begin a secret affair, while pretending to despise each other in public. Steamy escapades ensue, but the rampant homophobia in their sport — and Rozanov’s native Russia — permeates their stilted and stunted relationship.
Beyond all the sex and angst, much of the show’s attention has focused on it being a Canadian-made production, written and directed by Jacob Tierney (Letterkenny, Shoresy) and produced by Crave.
From the show’s smaller budget, to the casting, to the musical choices, many aspects of it feel uniquely Canadian. Fans have even taken it upon themselves to remind other viewers that even though it’s licensed for distribution by HBO Max in the U.S. and Australia, it is not an HBO show.
Aside from the Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross-esque score highlighting all the tension (and passion) between the two rivals, the show is soundtracked by a number of Canadian songs during its pivotal moments.
According to a statement from Spotify Canada, streaming numbers have reflected the craze, with multiple tracks from featured Canadian artists “jumping tens of thousands of per cent in streams and thousands of new playlist adds in a matter of days” — most notably for Feist and Wolf Parade, whose songs experienced a 1,500 per cent increase and 2,650 per cent increase, respectively, following the episodes they were featured in.
From 2010s indie faves to Haitian kompa bangers, here are all the Cancon needle drops in Season 1 of Heated Rivalry.
Spoiler warning: the following includes references to major plot points in the series.
Sealion, Feist
WATCH | Feist performs Sealion on Later… with Jools Holland:
Feist’s 2007 track Sealion plays as Shane anxiously prepares for his first rendezvous with Ilya. Sealion is a cover of Nina Simone’s See-Line Woman, and its frenzied riffs and handclapping mirror Shane’s anxiety.
Une journée parfaite, Dumas
WATCH | The official video for Une journée parfaite by Dumas:
The cheerful and bouncy Une journée parfaite by Québécois singer-songwriter Dumas soundtracks the aftermath of Shane and Ilya’s first tryst, and Shane’s descent into a “YouTube rabbit hole” of watching Ilya’s interviews.
Chelsea mon amour, Philippe B
WATCH | The audio for Chelsea mon amour by Philippe B:
The song playing in Shane’s headphones, as he texts Ilya after his team’s disappointing loss at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, is Montreal singer Philippe B’s stirring love song Chelsea mon amour.
I’ll Believe in Anything, Wolf Parade
WATCH | The official video for I’ll Believe in Anything by Wolf Parade:
Wolf Parade’s I’ll Believe in Anything bookends Scott Hunter (François Arnaud) and Kip Grady’s (Robbie G.K.) story, from the moment right before they meet in a New York City smoothie shop to their world-shattering kiss on the ice after Scott wins the Stanley Cup.
Scott, a veteran to rookies Shane and Ilya, is a secondary character who’s also been hiding his true self from the public, until his love for Kip pushes him to finally show the world. When the song plays for a second time at the end of Episode 5, its hopeful refrain finally comes true: “We’ve both been very brave…/ fight the scary day…/ but I’ll believe in anything.”
Your Body, Night Lunch
WATCH | The audio for Your Body by Night Lunch:
Montreal band Night Lunch’s Your Body plays in the background while Kip and his emotional support bestie Elena talk about his budding crush on Scott.
Lumière, Alfa Rococo
WATCH | The official video for Lumière by Alfa Rococo:
The bright synths and soaring vocals of Quebec duo Alfa Rococo’s Lumière ring out as a montage of Scott and Kip’s rose-coloured cohabitation plays out — before the tides turn for the lovebirds.
My Moon My Man, Feist
WATCH | The official video for My Moon My Man by Feist:
The second Feist needle drop in the series comes at the beginning of Episode 4, when a two-year-long time jump is illustrated by Shane and Ilya becoming increasingly enmeshed. Scenes of them training, playing against each other, sleeping together, and anticipating the next time they’ll get to sleep together fire off in rapid succession as My Moon My Man bops along. Shane grows tired of all the expectations on his shoulders as Ilya becomes bored with all the distractions (partying, drinking, sex) that once thrilled him.
Serenity, the Souljazz Orchestra
WATCH | The audio for Serenity by the Souljazz Orchestra:
The soothing melodies of Serenity by Ottawa group the Souljazz Orchestra provide contrast to Shane’s tense conversation with his parents about not wanting to attend Wimbledon, which is really about him wanting to claw back some autonomy over his own life.
Tu t’en souviens, Lou Phelps
WATCH | Lou Phelps performs Tu t’en souviens on Colors:
Lou Phelp’s introspective, downtempo rap song Tu t’en souviens plays in the background during Shane’s first meeting with popular actress Rose Landry (Sophie Nélisse), as they realize all the things they have in common.
En dedans, Richy Jay with Ekaysounds
WATCH | The audio for En dedans by Richy Jay:
The Caribbean grooves of Haitian Canadian artist Richy Jay’s En dedans also soundtrack Shane’s conversation with Rose, as the two begin a little flirtation. Another Richy Jay song, De la tête aux pieds, plays when Shane walks into the bar.
Solutions to My Gloom, Unessential Oils
WATCH | The lyric video for Solutions to My Gloom by Unessential Oils:
When Shane finally comes out to Rose, the awkwardly tender moment is cushioned by the buoyant optimism of Solutions to My Gloom by Montreal singer Unessential Oils, a.k.a. Warren Spicer. Jessica Charlie’s Prendre soins du beau also plays near the tail end of their conversation.
Oh My Bride, the Deadly Snakes
WATCH | The audio for Oh My Bride by the Deadly Snakes:
Toronto band the Deadly Snakes’ 2010 track Oh My Bride plays during a moment of comic relief in the locker room where Ilya tries to inspire his team to beat Shane’s by bribing them with $1,000 for each goal they score.
Bonnie, Absolute Treat
WATCH | The official video for Bonnie by Absolute Treat:
During a phone call with a recovering Shane, Rose is in hair and makeup getting turned into a shapeshifting creature while Toronto band Absolute Treat’s new wave, psychedelic track Bonnie plays.
