Baby Nova is the stage name of Kayleigh O'Connor, a Canadian indie pop singer-songwriter from Halifax, Nova Scotia."5 Emerging Canadian Artists You Need to Hear in May 2025". Exclaim!, May 5, 2025. Her full-length debut album Shhugar was released in 2026.Kelsey Adams, Holly Gordon, Natalie Harmsen, Melody Lau and Bhaven Moorthy, "A yearning serenade from the Heated Rivalry soundtrack, and 6 more songs you need to hear this week". CBC Music, January 19, 2026.
She trained in circus performance in her youth,Billy Eff, "Baby Nova". Rolling Stone, June 5, 2026. and began writing music at age 12 before signing a licensing deal to write songs for other artists at age 16.Kelsey Adams, Holly Gordon, Natalie Harmsen, Melody Lau and Bhaven Moorthy, "10 musicians to watch in 2026". CBC Music, February 11, 2026. She independently released the single "Lost Angeles" in 2024.
She worked with songwriters Lowell and Gus van Go, and producers Austin Corona and Wyatt Bernard, on Shhugar, which was released in January 2026. The album's lead single, "Killed for Sport", was released in early 2025. Later in the year she released "Too Pretty for Buffalo", which became her breakout single.Howard Druckman, "Baby Nova’s 'Too Pretty for Buffalo'". Words & Music, April 29, 2026. Through the year, she also performed at various events, including the All Things Go Music FestivalAllie Gregory, "Toronto's All Things Go Festival Gets Kacey Musgraves, Reneé Rapp, Remi Wolf for Inaugural Edition". Exclaim!, June 23, 2025. and Billboard Canadas Women in Music showcase.Heather Taylor-Singh, "10 Best Moments From Billboard Canada Women in Music 2025". Billboard, October 2, 2025.
The album, which saw her compared to a blend of Lana del Rey, Dusty Springfield and Johnny Cash, was longlisted for the 2026 Polaris Music Prize.Sydney Brasil, "Polaris Music Prize Shares 2026 Long List". Exclaim!, June 11, 2026. Lowell received a Juno Award nomination for Songwriter (Non-Performing) of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2026 for her work on "Too Pretty for Buffalo", Ava Max's "World's Smallest Violin" and Sofia Camara's "Girls Like You".Natalie Harmsen, Melody Lau, Holly Gordon and Kelsey Adams, "Here are all the 2026 Juno nominees". CBC Music, March 28, 2026.
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