CAR287 are proving that a band can move from the cover-band circuit into the world of original music and sound completely at home. Based in Winnipeg, Canada, the group has built a reputation over the years for rocking backyards, pubs, and festival stages. Now, they’re showing what they can do with their own music — and the results speak for themselves. “Ain’t Nothin’ Now” is the single that marks this moment. The song looks at how relationships shift over time. It has a classic rock tone that feels honest, loud, and straight to the point. The chorus hits in a way that catches you right away, and the keys lift everything up, giving the track some real emotional weight. It’s the kind of song you want to hear live with a crowd shouting along.
This song is a strong window into the full album Looking Through The Lens, recorded live off the floor at Private Ear Recording. That decision gives the record a raw, real energy. You can tell the band is performing together, feeding off each other. They tracked the entire album in two days, yet the performances feel confident and tight — like they’ve been playing these songs for years. The album opens up with the fan-favorite “Opening Song,” which already has the strongest streaming numbers. It sets the tone with gritty guitars and bold vocals that introduce who CAR287 really are: a rock band that wants to move people. The song shows strength in simplicity — a straight punch of rhythm and hooks. “Back and Forth” leans into the band’s heavier side. It’s the kind of track that makes you move without thinking. Live, it’s one of the ones that gets the room going early. The chorus rushes forward and the guitars feel sharp and alive.
Then there’s “Road Rage Leady,” full of drive and attitude. There’s humor in the title, but the song itself hits with real force. The band blends the toughness of 70s rock with the modern grit of acts like Glorious Sons. It’s loud, confident, and built for the stage. Across all these songs, you hear that blend of influences the band likes to talk about — The Tragically Hip inspiration in the storytelling, classic rock in the guitar tone, and that proud Canadian rock identity that refuses to fade out. What makes this release even more impressive is where the band started. A basement cover group in 2014, just having fun and learning their strengths. Then the pandemic shifted their focus. Instead of performing the usual crowd-pleasers, they took the leap into writing their own material. Now, they’re an original rock act with real momentum, thousands of streams, and even recognition from Exclaim Magazine’s “Eh List” for some of the album’s tracks. Looking Through The Lens is a debut album that feels experienced, full of life, and grounded in the joy of loud guitars played with heart. And with another batch of songs already written for 2026, this feels like the start of a long and exciting run. CAR287 are making their own chapters now — and they’re doing it with volume up.
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