By KAREN BLISS --

Holly McNarland has a voice you'd think would bust the muscles and joints in her skinny, pixie-like frame. It's chilling; it's aching; it's astounding.

Her new single, "Numb" inspired by the heroin cult film, H, is already sinking into the veins at radio. Wonder if they know what it's about? The album, Stuff isn't due in stores until June 24.

Named after the silly way McNarland and her bandmates finish a sentence, ("and y'know, stuff"), it contains other spine-tinglers like "Elmo" and "Water", plus the everthing-but-beautiful ballad "Porno Mouth".

It was produced by Dale Penner, responsible for McNarland's critically acclaimed independent EP, Sour Pie, which was picked up by Universal and led to her worldwide deal. It featured those unforgettable male-ego squashers "Mr 5 Minutes" and "Sick Boy".

Of Stuff, McNarland says, it's "not as serious, not a heavy, as far as the lyrics go, but the music itself is heavier. There's some fun songs on the new record as well," she says, pointing to "The Box", "Twisty Mirror", "Just In Me" and even "Elmo".

McNarland, who left the mountainous beauty of Vancouver a few months ago to join her boyfriend in Toronto, has been rehearsing all week with her band, drummer Adam Drake, bassist Mark Pullyblank and guitarist Matt Kelly. (McNarland also plays some guitar).

Universal has set up some industry showcases for the band next week, and, just days after Stuff's release, McNarland plays the three Edgefest dates.

"The record company failed to provide us with a van and a rehearsal space -- well, they did, but it was a hole," she laughs. "There was no air and it was just gross, so it took us four days, but Adam found a space and now we're happy."

Track Listing

Numb // Elmo // Porno Mouth // Water // Coward // The Box // UFO // Mystery Song // Just In Me // Twisty Mirror // I Won't Stay