Canadian and Quebecoise singer Ingrid St-Pierre released a new album, Reines (Queens). The themes are homages to various women and introspection.
The music is French Pop mixed in with some modern classical music. The songs have intricate compositions.
Two songs are instrumental: Petit paquebot and Les oiseaux nouent les cheveux des filles. Petit paquebot is a lovely musical piece with excellent violin playing. It has joyous and sweet music. It reminds me of Irish folk music. Les oiseaux nouent les cheveux des filles (Birds tie girls hair) also has lovely violin in the background. It parallels the music heard at weddings.
The album has incredible ballads, rich in rhythms and diverse sounds. L’Onoclée (the fern) has a beautiful guitar playing with a soothing beat in the background. The song Le Paquebot has a beautiful wavy tempo representing life’s journey. Bout Du Monde has fantastic piano playing- the gradient rhythm conveys the gradual emotional shift. Madame Croft has subtle violin and flute music playing in the background, which makes the song feel whimsical. The tune Mères has incredible piano playing that is rhythmic, slow and not too intense to focus on the story. Une Seule Assiette (the only plate) has an orchestra singing in the background and the piano, expressing loneliness and sadness. It has an operatic and classical concert vibe. Parabellum has a bold drum start to then transition to the piano and the violin. Reines (Queens) has lovely acoustic-style music and remarkable piano playing. Sentinelle has deep piano beats that work with the sad feeling of the song. Les Vieux (the elderly) has an incredible mix of instruments: the flute, the violin and the piano playing in beautiful harmony. Je gaspille des ciels has fantastic upbeat music that represents hope, then ends with an impressive fade-out. Les retailles (the reshaping) has a beautiful guitar sound that feels cozy.
The music is phenomenal, full of diverse musical styles and impressive intonations.
Ingrid St-Pierre’s voice is soft and rhythmic. She sings each song with heart and soul. Her homage to the women in her life is genuine and profound.
The lyrics are poetic, profound, and soulful. The words have a linguistic richness.
The songs of homage, like Madame Croft and Mères, are sincere and from the heart. The song Madame Croft (Mrs. Croft) tells a touching story of friendship and hope. The tune Mères (mothers) is a heartfelt homage to mothers and how their lives changed with children, remembering their experiences. The piece Les Vieux (The elderly) tells the moving story of an elderly couple in love for many years.
The metaphors on the album are dynamic. L’Onoclée (the fern) is about appreciating the little things in life. Le Paquebot is a heartfelt metaphor about going through life, in which it’s essential to take care of oneself before helping others, like putting on an oxygen mask before assisting others. Bout Du Monde represents a turning point in a person’s life. Une Seule Assiette (the only plate) is a heartbreaking tune about loneliness and sadness. Parabellum (drum start) is a fantasy-like story about dreaming big. Reines (Queens) is an intricate and poetic piece about women’s empowerment, full of courage. Sentinelle (soldier) is a heartfelt song honouring soldiers (figurative sense) powering through life amidst challenges and hardships. Je gaspille des ciels (I waste the skies) is a poetic tune teaching a lesson about appreciating the scenery. Les retailles (reshaping) is a profound tune about modernizing one’s perspective of the world.
The words are rich in language and poetic. The lyrics are incredibly well-written, honouring women and life with great depth.
