In almost 20 years of existence, Thus Owls, a group led by the couple Erika and Simon Angell, has made its nest on the scene underground Montrealer with an avant-garde and conceptual vision of folk and rock, a vision always welcoming thanks to the carnal voice of Erika. Let’s get straight to the point: this fifth album finally propels Thus Owls to the front of our stage. It is nothing less than a masterpiece, on which the Angells fully assume their passion for jazz by integrating into their basic line-up (completed by drummer Samuel Joly) a trio of saxophonists (Claire Devlin, Adam Kinner, Jason Sharp), whose presence transforms the couple’s compositions into complex works of experimental jazz-rock fusion. The result is astonishing, Erika’s voice having never seemed so imposing on the intriguing and spontaneous playing of Simon on the guitar and the skilful and dynamic orchestrations of the brass. Presented as a double album (13 songs, 66 minutes), this powerful, poignant and ingenious disc is a success.
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