by Jay Boucher

Esmerine, a band out of Montreal, Quebec returned in the second half of 2022 with their seventh studio album Everything Was Forever Until It Was No More, and first new album in over five years. This album, and the band for that matter, simply defy being put into a category of music because there are so many moving parts including the gorgeous cello of Rebecca Foon (Set Fire To Flames, Thee Silver Mt Zion), the enthralling piano and subtle bass playing of Philippe Charbonneau with the delicate, well-timed percussion of Bruce Cawdron and Brian Sanderson’s violin and collection of woodwinds. 

Call it chamber rock, if that’s a thing–if not then it should be! But seriously, this record is the soundtrack to anyone wandering Montreal’s Mile End in a scenic snowstorm toward Parc du Mont-Royal and contemplating what’s the meaning of life. It’s romantic, metaphysical, deep and it’s melancholy with a sense of hope. You might shed a tear as I did and it’s okay because the composed sounds and the magnificent music they create together will make you feel safe and satisfied. It’s just a gorgeous album.

Similar artists include Rachel’s, HRSTA, and Sigur Ros but nothing compares to Esmerine. 

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