Canadian indie pop freaks Wotts have once again amazed us with their latest single, “NOT US”, a track that slaps harder than a leather glove on a drumhead. Dropped since March 28, 2025, this banger kicks off their upcoming EP FLANK! with retro cool and modern crunch vibes. Vocalist/ instrumentalist Jayem and bassist/guitarist Ricky 100—the Ottawa duo known for twisting genres like guitar strings—serve up this wild mix of pop, rock, and electronic madness that’ll be bouncing around your brain for times.
Produced by Jayem himself, “NOT US” is a tribute to The Police’s frenetic energy. The drums are going nuts, like Stewart Copeland‘s ghost possessed the kit, and the piano’s racing like it’s trying to catch the last train out of town. But don’t mistake this for nostalgia karaoke—Wotts injects their signature feel, throwing in some Tame Impala-style trippy vibes and a dash of Djo’s weird swag. It’s 100% Wotts, no doubt about it. Ricky 100’s bass is growling like a beast, locking in with Jayem’s guitar like they’re joined at the hip. The whole thing’s got teeth, but it’s slick enough to light up any dance floor.
Now, let’s talk lyrics. “NOT US” looks right into the heart of FLANK!’s big theme: loss. But they wrap all that sad feeling in these catchy-as-hell melodies. Jayem calls it “happy sad”—a Wotts specialty where sunny synths and punchy hooks mask the ache beneath. One minute you’re air-drumming like a maniac, the next you’re staring at the ceiling wondering what it all means. That’s the Wotts magic, baby!“
Never knew what you did for me / Way back when we used to be” starts off a cascade of regret. It’s like looking at an old photo album of broken friendships and “what ifs.” You can almost feel the weight of all those unanswered questions. And then there’s that “No no no no not us” bit that keeps coming back. It’s like someone desperately trying to convince themselves they’re not to blame, but deep down, they know better. It’s a stubborn little chant, pushing away responsibility while simultaneously drowning in the realization that yeah, maybe it was us after all.
Ricky 100 spills the tea on the EP’s ambition: “We’re swinging for the fences this year.” True to form, FLANK! is gonna be a crazy ride, with the duo teasing Britpop influences and shot-up strings in future drops.
Wotts has always been a band of contradictions—Ottawa’s musical mad scientists, throwing hip-hop, indie-pop, and straight-up rock into a whizzer and hitting puree. With festival slots at RBC Bluesfest and shoutouts from CBC Radio under their studded belts, they’re primed to blow FLANK! into the stratosphere.
Mark your calendars: More FLANK! singles drop soon, with the full EP landing late spring/early summer. Strap in, turn it up, and let Wotts prove once again why they’re Canada’s best-kept secret—loud enough to shatter the silence. Listen to “NOT US” now.