Josianne Paradis
Montréal resident Josianne Paradis' EP "De Lorimier", released back in January, is only her third in six years and follows her 2008 Eponymous debut and 2010's "Nouveautés."
But let's not for one minute mistake quantity for quality...
Similar to fellow Montréalaise artist Émilie Proulx, I first came across Josianne Paradis via Catherine Leduc's "Rookie", where Josianne provided not only backing vocals but also drums and glockenspiel. And while it's kind of sad that I Google session musicians, it does mean that I occasionally discover a gem or two that warrants further attention; Josianne Paradis and "De Lorimier" being another case in-point.
In her native Quebec, Josianne has been compared with Julie Blanche with whom she eschews the more obvious country-folk trappings of a number of Quebec contemporaries) and Ingrid St-Pierre (whose album "L’Escapade" was one of 2012's albums of the year). I'd add Ariane Moffatt to that list, but from listening to this record Josianne seems have much in common with Grenadine in that her musical sensibilities appear in-part influenced by Francophone artists from across The Pond.
"De Lorimier" comprising four slices of perfect contemporary adult-pop of distinctly varying styles and moods. The EP opens with “Je cherche les mots" - a bitter-sweet, heart-breaking song that's all about trying to break-up, yet failing to find the right words - and a song that strays into La Grande Sophie territory, especially with the clarity of Josianne's always tender, warming vocal delivery.
But let's not for one minute mistake quantity for quality...
Similar to fellow Montréalaise artist Émilie Proulx, I first came across Josianne Paradis via Catherine Leduc's "Rookie", where Josianne provided not only backing vocals but also drums and glockenspiel. And while it's kind of sad that I Google session musicians, it does mean that I occasionally discover a gem or two that warrants further attention; Josianne Paradis and "De Lorimier" being another case in-point.
In her native Quebec, Josianne has been compared with Julie Blanche with whom she eschews the more obvious country-folk trappings of a number of Quebec contemporaries) and Ingrid St-Pierre (whose album "L’Escapade" was one of 2012's albums of the year). I'd add Ariane Moffatt to that list, but from listening to this record Josianne seems have much in common with Grenadine in that her musical sensibilities appear in-part influenced by Francophone artists from across The Pond.
"De Lorimier" comprising four slices of perfect contemporary adult-pop of distinctly varying styles and moods. The EP opens with “Je cherche les mots" - a bitter-sweet, heart-breaking song that's all about trying to break-up, yet failing to find the right words - and a song that strays into La Grande Sophie territory, especially with the clarity of Josianne's always tender, warming vocal delivery.
"Monsieur Stock" immediately lifts the feeling of melancholy. Everything you want in a memorable stuck-in your head pop tune is here; bouncy up-tempo beat, punchy lyrics, all wrapped up by - shall we just say - quelle voix. There's more than a touch of the Chanteuse in the way that the vocals are projected here.
"Janvier" on the other hand is a complete change of momentum. Another sombre, plaintive number which builds over a poignant piano melody; The bitterly cold wind of the song whistling down the Avenue De Lorimier (after which the EP is named), acting as a metaphor for a rapid chilling romance... It's arguably the strongest track here (and my current favourite - I have this image of the song's narrator and her cat, both noses pressed against a door, neither sure whether to venture outside, frozen by the paralysis of fear as a lover fails to show...)
Finally - from this all to brief showcase - another change of emotions. "Au coeur de toi" is a light, frothy, unashamed love song. It's sweet, yet never sickly. It's also arguably the one track on the EP that is closest to the pop-folk roots of the contemporary Quebec scene (it's the ukulele thing...) and serves to highlight just how comfortable the artist is with tackling differing musical genres.
If the goal of "De Lorimier" is to act as a teaser and whet the appetite of the listener, it certainly succeeds on all fronts... In the meantime, I'm off to check out Josianne's back-catalogue...
Josianne Paradis Website
"Janvier" on the other hand is a complete change of momentum. Another sombre, plaintive number which builds over a poignant piano melody; The bitterly cold wind of the song whistling down the Avenue De Lorimier (after which the EP is named), acting as a metaphor for a rapid chilling romance... It's arguably the strongest track here (and my current favourite - I have this image of the song's narrator and her cat, both noses pressed against a door, neither sure whether to venture outside, frozen by the paralysis of fear as a lover fails to show...)
Finally - from this all to brief showcase - another change of emotions. "Au coeur de toi" is a light, frothy, unashamed love song. It's sweet, yet never sickly. It's also arguably the one track on the EP that is closest to the pop-folk roots of the contemporary Quebec scene (it's the ukulele thing...) and serves to highlight just how comfortable the artist is with tackling differing musical genres.
If the goal of "De Lorimier" is to act as a teaser and whet the appetite of the listener, it certainly succeeds on all fronts... In the meantime, I'm off to check out Josianne's back-catalogue...
Josianne Paradis Website
"De Lorimer" (bandcamp)
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