SPENCER MacKENZIE Releases New Single "Frozen Hearts" From Upcoming Album "Empty Chairs"

JUNO nominated and Maple Blues Award winner Spencer Mackenzie releases his third single “Frozen Hearts” from his upcoming studio album Empty Chairs. The single is available from Friday November 21st on all streaming platforms HERE.

“Frozen Hearts” – “Emerging from the depths of grief and resilience, I wrote Frozen Hearts as a personal tribute honouring the victims of residential schools,” says Spencer. “With searing guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and a rhythm that echoes both sorrow and defiance, this song became my memorial in sound –ensuring that the voices of those who never made it home are forever heard.”

Continues Spencer, “Writing Frozen Hearts meant confronting the painful legacy of children taken from their families, children whose laughter was silenced, whose lives were cut short, whose culture and identities were stripped away. Through every chord and lyric, I tried to transform that mourning into remembrance, to carry forward the voices silenced by history. This song is my promise to remember them – with love, respect and truth.”

Mackenzie’s new album Empty Chairs will be released by Gypsy Soul Records on February 20th, 2026. The album is produced by 2X Juno nominated producer, mixer and engineer and Emmy Award winning recording mixer Ross Hayes Citrullo, the guitarist of The Commoners.

Spencer’s passion for the genre deepens as he explores the works of blues legends while simultaneously being influenced by the bold energy of renowned present-day blues rockers in this highly anticipated new album. This fusion of styles along with Spencer’s unique sound in his new upcoming album Empty Chairs embodies this gritty, introspective style with electrifying guitar, punchy riffs, soaring organ, dynamic vocals, and an explosive rhythm section.

With his fluid phrasing, resonant tone, and expressive performances, one could believe Spencer Mackenzie was born on Beale Street. That, however, would be wrong. The lauded JUNO-nominated blues-rock artist hails from Southern Ontario and has steadily earned accolades, and the attention of blues aficionados from around the world. Leaving nothing behind when he steps to the stage, Mackenzie offers show goers a powerhouse performance, commanding his guitar with sophistication and prowess beyond his years.

For nearly a decade, Maple Blues Award winner Spencer Mackenzie has been writing and recording true blues, showcasing the raw emotion and honesty the genre demands. There’s a familiarity and ease with which he approaches the music, almost as though it flows through rather than from him. The energy of his work is infectious, permeating through the listener until they, too, feel the heartbeat of the blues.

Mackenzie’s high-energy, captivating performance is one that grabs the audience from the moment the first note is played. With numerous Canadian, European, and US shows performed, some of his most notable performances include the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Festival d’été de Quebec, Moulin Blues Ospel, Ribs & Blues Raalte and Kulturring Schöppingen Blues Festival alongside acts such as Walter Trout, Fantastic Negrito, Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton, just to name a few. With an electrifying presence and his new album on the horizon, this left-handed guitar slinger shows no signs of slowing down, delivering performances that leaves the audience buzzing long after the final note.

Empty Chairs is just that, the fusion of styles along with Spencer’s unique sound while simultaneously being influenced by the bold energy of renowned present-day blues rockers embodies this gritty, introspective style with electrifying guitar.

As previously mentioned, the new album is produced by Ross Hayes Citrullo, a 2x JUNO Award–nominee and Emmy Award winner. With a career defined by passion and creativity, Ross has earned multiple accolades for his work on albums that have topped charts and garnered millions of streams worldwide.

Citrullo’s distinctive approach to production blends artistry with technical mastery, bringing out the best in every project he touches. Now, Ross brings this wealth of experience and vision to this new album, infusing it with the same energy and dedication that has made his previous work celebrated worldwide.

“What we caught on this album is honesty and fire,” says Citrullo. “Spencer’s playing is fearless, his voice wide open, and every take breathes like a live show you don’t want to end. Producing it was about chasing moments you can’t fake—tone that tells the truth, stories that cut deep, and performances that live in the room. It’s the blues, lit up with a rock edge—hitting with modern bite and a timeless feel.”