Spencer Mackenzie unleashes “Frozen Hearts”
Spencer Mackenzie has released his new single “Frozen Hearts,” the latest track from his upcoming studio album Empty Chairs, which arrives February 20, 2026 via Gypsy Soul Records. The single is now available on all major streaming platforms, accompanied by a lyric video.
Written as a tribute to victims of residential schools, Mackenzie says the song reflects the emotional weight of that history. “I wrote Frozen Hearts as a personal tribute honouring the victims of residential schools,” says Mackenzie. He describes the track as a memorial in sound, driven by guitar riffs and vocals that carry themes of grief and resilience. Mackenzie says he aimed to transform mourning into remembrance and ensure the stories of children affected by these institutions are acknowledged.
Empty Chairs is produced by Ross Hayes Citrullo, a two-time JUNO nominee and Emmy Award winning recording mixer known for his work with The Commoners. Citrullo describes the sessions as raw and performance-driven. “Spencer’s playing is fearless, his voice wide open, and every take breathes like a live show you don’t want to end,” he says. Citrullo adds that the album blends blues roots with a rock edge while keeping emotion at the forefront.
Mackenzie has built a reputation as a rising blues-rock guitarist and vocalist, earning JUNO and Maple Blues Award nominations and performing across Canada, the United States, and Europe. He has appeared at festivals including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Festival d’été de Quebec, Ribs & Blues Raalte, and Moulin Blues Ospel, sharing stages with artists such as Walter Trout, Samantha Fish, Fantastic Negrito, and Jesse Dayton.
Empty Chairs marks Mackenzie’s continued evolution as a songwriter and performer, drawing from traditional blues influences alongside modern blues-rock energy. The album features dynamic arrangements with guitar, organ, and an emphasis on live performance chemistry.
Album Track Listing for Empty Chairs
- Empty Chairs (4:29)
- Trip (3:25)
- What You Do (4:28)
- Don’t Know Where I’m Going (3:11)
- Till I Get to You (3:57)
- Frozen Hearts (4:09)
- Helping Hands (3:18)
- Why (3:58)
- Shoot Me Down (4:08)
- Won’t Find Her (3:18)
- Evil (3:57)
