There’s a particular confidence that comes from longevity — not the victory-lap kind, but the quiet assurance of artists who’ve survived trends, cycles, and eras by staying honest. That’s the space 54-40 occupy on PORTO, their newly released studio album and one of the strongest statements of their late-career run.
Out now, PORTO finds the legendary Canadian band sounding energized, reflective, and fully present. The record arrives alongside four new singles — “Running for the Fence,” “Die to Heaven,” “Time Will Tell,” and “Virgil” — that set the tone for a project rooted in resilience rather than nostalgia.
“This is an album about renewal,” frontman Neil Osborne says. “It’s about the work it takes to keep creating, to stay connected, and to keep loving what you do.” That ethos runs through PORTO, an album that doesn’t chase relevance but earns it through clarity and craft.
Formed in 1981 in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, 54-40 have long been fixtures of Canada’s alternative rock lineage. Alongside peers like The Tragically Hip and Blue Rodeo, they helped define a national sound built on melody, grit, and emotional weight. Their catalog includes staples like “I Go Blind,” “Ocean Pearl,” “Since When,” and “One Day in Your Life” — songs that never relied on flash, only feel.
PORTO was recorded in Portugal with longtime collaborator Warne Livesey, and that sense of place subtly shapes the album’s mood. The production is warm and unforced, giving the band space to let songs unfold naturally. Bassist Brad Merritt describes the new material as “honest and grounded in real life,” and that restraint works in the album’s favor.
Tracks like “It Takes a Lot” and “Work Not Worry” feel lived-in rather than labored — reflections on endurance, balance, and what it means to keep showing up. There’s momentum here, but also patience. PORTO isn’t about chasing youth; it’s about trusting experience.
That perspective carries into the band’s live identity as well. Approaching their 45th year, 54-40 remain a road-tested unit, still driven by connection over spectacle. “When we play live, it’s not nostalgia,” Osborne says. “It’s about connection — with the crowd, with the songs, and with each other.”
With PORTO, 54-40 reaffirm why they’ve lasted: strong songs, clear voices, and an unshakable belief in the work itself. Tour dates in support of the album are expected to be announced later this year, bringing both new material and long-standing favorites back to stages across North America.
For a band that’s seen nearly everything, PORTO isn’t a look back — it’s proof there’s still plenty ahead.