“Dominique Fils-Aimé and Sarahmée. Dominique Fils-Aimé’s trilogy had a concrete effect on my morale. This work, which I do not hesitate to describe as masterful, has really helped me to go through an extremely difficult passage so far. I love everything she has given us. Sarahmée has been known for quite a long time, but because of prejudices about rap, I never dwelled on what she was doing. I first bought his first two albums in the middle of the year. I quickly obtained Russian doll at its output. This album confirms his rise. His work also does me good. Artists need the public to survive. As far as I’m concerned, this need is mutual. ”
Jean-Francois Raymond
“Laila Biali. We discovered her, my boyfriend and I, as a preview of the Holly Cole Trio show in Quebec. What a magnificent artist and extraordinary pianist. She vibrates and connects with her audience in each of the songs she delivers to us. An intense, talented, smiling artist who will undoubtedly carve out a prominent place for herself with her repertoire. She won a Juno and Sting’s admiration. ”
Helene Comtois
” The song Sky by FouKi and Alicia Moffet! She accompanied me when I went to work in a mass vaccination center. The cough at the start of the toune made me laugh. Alone behind the wheel, I prepared myself by saying to myself: “Oh! it’s the COVID song! ” Both in lyrics and melody, this song represents the euphoric state I experienced as a vaccination leader from March through the summer of 2021. I was greatly energized by this mission to defeat this virus and get out together of this pandemic. Sky was also on my racing playlist; it allowed me to maintain this new physical activity that I enjoy. In closing, it’s a funny timing, because, tonight, I’m going to see the FouKi show! ”
Isabelle Roberge
” You are beautiful of Pirate’s Heart. A feminist song in this year when feminicides have been counted too many times, the laws on the right to abortion flouted and where the struggle of women continued on a daily basis to have a fair place. A jewel of words that remind us that we must take and maintain our place in our society and above all not let it go. We women can “smile” as we stick together and look to the future for our daughters who are growing up and will hopefully be able to break down the glass ceiling. ”
Caroline
“Jonathan Roy. The song that led me to find out is his interpretation of the song Breathe Me [de Sia]. The intensity, the sound, the recording of this song came to seek me. Lights of Los Angeles is the other song that made me addicted to its musicality. The presence of Kim Richardson reinforces the depth of the texts. Jonathan Roy has really found his place. ”
Claude marcil
” Presto Presto, Bella’s Dream by Yoo Doo Right. It is a growing Quebec group. I love this toune which makes you want to jog, ski, have a lot of fun. It’s good for morale. Come on, put on your headphones and go outside and play to the beat of this music. ”
Sylvie Théorêt
“My discovery of the year is Happy people by Alexandre Désilets. His lyrics are realistic, thought-provoking and the rhythm is very catchy. I wrote to Alexandre on Facebook and imagine that he answered me. Wow! ”
Celyne Filteau
“Brittany Kennell is my great discovery of the year on the Quebec country music scene. I discovered her at the Lotbinière Country Festival in September. Montrealer, her latest album is bright and well anchored in country roots reminiscent of Maren Morris and, why not, Sheryl Crow. ”
Roger lafrance
“My discovery of the year 2021 was Halsey’s fourth album, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power. The concept album which, according to the artist, talks about pregnancy with its joys but also its anxieties, also addresses feminist themes by giving a punch to patriarchy and institutionalized misogyny and hits the nail on the head with its songs. delivered with aplomb in a gothic atmosphere. The artist brought in Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross as producers; these added to the album a layer of their distinctive Nine Inch Nails industrial rock, which blends in perfectly with Halsey’s alternative pop-punk and contributes to the album’s waking nightmare vibe. In my opinion, this one is a true masterpiece. ”
Josiane A.
“I discovered Elliot Maginot at Good evening this summer and I fell on the butt! It is simply exquisite. His music and voice overwhelms me (in a good way) every time I hear him. This discovery did me a lot of good. ”
Sylvie Laroche
“This year, I got hooked on the Fuudge album Deployed at the Grand Théâtre de Québec. The Quebec psychedelic grunge band outdid themselves with a velvety vibe thanks to the Lunes string quartet. Already that their music was elaborated, now they make us take off completely elsewhere. Roll on the live shows in 2022. ”
Eric Doucet
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, ARCHIVES THE PRESS
CRi electronic music composer
“One of the albums I have listened to the most this year is without a doubt Juvenile by CRi. I really liked his EP To You also. I was very happy that his work was recognized by ADISQ [comme révélation de l’année]. Quebec electronic music which receives the accolade of the industry in the major categories, that feels good! ”
René Lessard
“My wonderful discovery is the songwriter and musician Pomme. Very pretty voice, soft, bewitching. It feels good to the heart and soul. She also plays instruments that are not often heard, original as well as her orchestrations. I greatly appreciate his social commitment to homosexuality, diversity and the environment. His songs also have a very beautiful poetic resonance. In short, I very often listen to his album Loopholes. When will his next album be? ”
Michele Rolland
“Can we speak of discovery when it comes to a well-known nonagenarian? But you ask what captivated us, then… This is what Gilles Vigneault was able to do with his last offering, Like a love song. A delight, an enchantment for all the senses but above all for the soul. While incessant chaos reigns in the world, an impression amplified by all our connection sources, Mr. Vigneault arrives to the rescue. His deeply humanist vision is a real meditation giving me immense well-being. The aged voice, a little wavering, has lost its tone. But that’s what makes her even more human, more moving. Thank you, Mr. Vigneault! And thank you Mr. Corcoran for these minimalist arrangements perfectly highlighting the subject. It reminds me a lot of those of Adam Cohen for his father’s last records, also magnificent works of a life at dusk. ”
Pierre Levert
“Undoubtedly, my discovery is Klô Pelgag. I knew her a little before, but her album Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows captivated me. I listened to it over and over during some days of winter confinement. As soon as there were tickets available for his show, I rushed over. Then the big night came. It was two days before Klô’s performance at the ADISQ party. So I was afraid that she would “spare” herself a bit in anticipation of the gala. Pantoute! We were treated to an extraordinary show. This girl is a stage beast. Generous, funny and frenzied. What a talent of musician and author. What a unique voice! A great artist who brought beauty to my year. ”
Nicole labbé
“Mine is without a doubt the young British singer-songwriter Arlo Parks and her very first album, Collapsed in Sunbeams. From the first listen, I was overwhelmed by the richness of his lyrics, his poetry, the beauty of his voice and his wonderful music. This album toured in a loop in the house as soon as it was released in January and tinted the mood of our year 2021. We are still sad that she had to cancel her show in Montreal last September. Hopefully this very young and great artist will have time to come to us soon! [Elle sera au MTelus avec Clairo le 2 mars prochain.] ”
Stephanie Boutin
“I have rediscovered rock music (classic rock, new rock) since the start of 2021. The song Built By Nations by Greta Van Fleet is a crush. This band has a Led Zeppelin sound. I appreciate the Montreal group The Damn Truth with their album Now and Nowhere, you can hear the inspiration of rock groups from the 1970s. ”
Martin Lafontaine
Special mention to the particularly motivated fans of Alex Henry Foster, who flooded our mailbox to tell us about their discovery.