Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
In 2013, the Canadian musical-performance art project Majical Cloudz released Impersonator, garnering praise as one of the year’s, and the decade’s, best and most notable albums. Since then, principal writer and vocalist Devon Welsh and producer Matthew Otto have been fastidiously crafting the band’s second studio album, Are You Alone?
Building off a solidly-laid visual and sonic foundation, the conceptual narrative remains – simple yet emotionally forthcoming lyrics, showcasing raw vulnerability, backed by sparse instrumentation and minimalist production. Welsh delivers melancholic but melody driven vocals, echoing off elemental tones, praising love and friendship, commiserating over heartbreak and sadness. Written and recorded between Montréal and Detroit, Are You Alone? features drum, viola and piano support from Canadian composition genius, Owen Pallett, known for his work with Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear, Death from Above 1979, and Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys. Coming as no surprise, Welsh and Otto have created another soulful novella, continuing to contribute to the evolution of sound in pop, indie and electronic music.