Northern Exposure: Misstress Barbara ft Sam Roberts, 'I'm Running' -- Free MP3

Northern Exposure is Spinner Canada's weekly look at the best in new Canadian music. Check back for exclusive downloads of homegrown tracks from new discoveries and old favourites.

Montreal's Misstress Barbara (a.k.a. Barbara Bonfiglio) needs no introduction to electronic music fans. But the globe-trotting techno DJ/producer is poised to break into the consciousness of a more mainstream audience with her pop-tinged crossover album 'I'm No Human,' featuring this breezy duet with fellow Montrealer Sam Roberts.

It's a smart move -- the duo's voices nicely complement each other, with Roberts' recognizable croon playing well off Barbara's drier vocal delivery. The tune, which has already topped the pop-radio charts in Montreal, isn't at all one of those cringe-worthy dance tracks vying for pop cred by simply tacking a well-known singer over top of some electro beats. 'I'm Running' boasts a warm melody, uplifting (if slightly stock) lyrics ("I know I can make it while I'm holding your hand"), and a super-catchy chorus.

Like any good DJ, Barbara knows where to leave enough space to let the melody breathe, but also when to bring back the beat. And like any good pop song, you'll want to hear it again the minute it's over. While her album also features Brazilian Girls and Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn and John fame, Roberts' guest turn sounds like the most natural pairing, even though he's not exactly the first name that comes to mind when it comes to dance music. It's a clever twist that may very well garner new fans for both artists.

Download: Misstress Barbara feat. Sam Roberts, 'I'm Running' (MP3)

The charmingly kinetic video by director Lisa Mann, which has Barbara and Sam running into each other -- literally -- is below.