Zweng Turns Pain Into Power On His Gritty New Album

Who says rock and roll can’t be a spiritual experience? With his latest album Toronto Tapes, singer-songwriter Zweng dives deep into the mess of life, digs around for meaning, and somehow emerges with a collection of tracks that feel as cathartic as they are catchy. The album just dropped, and spoiler alert—it’s not your average comeback story.

Recorded during a year of sobriety in Toronto, this project blends indie grit with vulnerable storytelling. Zweng’s cover choices alone are enough to raise eyebrows (in the best way). He turns Take On Me into a tearjerker, flips Back on the Chain Gang into a meditation on memory, and closes with a soul-crushing version of Ozzy’s Changes that feels like it was written just for him.

But it’s the originals that really tell the story. Good To Be Free kicks things off with a blast of Oasis-inspired liberation, while Elevation sings the praises of hot yoga and emotional clarity. Marianne and Jeanette are personal tributes that hit home whether you know the backstory or not—think Elliot Smith meets modern-day redemption arc.

Zweng isn’t just releasing music—he’s documenting a full-blown rebirth. With two more albums already on deck and a YouTube series called The Rock n Roll Animal launching soon, this artist is proving that transformation doesn’t have to be quiet—or clean. Sometimes, it comes with feedback, flaws, and a whole lot of heart.

COMMENTS