Montreal-based Caila Thompson-Hannant, aka Mozart’s Sister, is set to release her latest album Field of Love on Arbutus Records this Friday, a throw-back to Nineties dance pop and all its glittery, upbeat glory. Thompson-Hannant started working on the record in 2015 as a follow-up to 2014’s Being, and says in a press release that the writing process occurred “at a point when [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][she] truly did feel [she] was floating in a field of love.” Those feelings are made evident as the LP’s theme of love comes back again and again, showcasing the butterflies, the warm fuzzies, and that exciting yet scary feeling behind falling deeper in love with someone.
The album kicks off with “Eternally Girl,” an idyllic, charmingly discordant number full of expectation and desire. It makes sense as an opening track – she’s diving headfirst into her music and the feelings that inspired it, simultaneously putting a more positive spin behind the usually stigmatized act of giving yourself entirely to a partner. Following that, “Moment 2 Moment” plays through a first date, full of uncertainty and excitement relayed by punchy drums and pointed synths that emphasize a youthful delight.
Her single “Angel” brings things down a bit, ethereal and drowsy. Thompson-Hannant’s vocals rise and fall in a beautiful cacophony alongside slow, bubbling synths that both puncture and echo it. It’s the type of song that’ll resonate after it ends; listeners will be inclined to hold it as dear as the heavenly partner Thompson-Hannant places on a pedestal in the song’s narrative. Almost everyone has entertained the idea that someone they’ve fallen for is literal perfection, and this track does that all-encompassing type of love a justice.
“Bump” is more provocative and titillating, hinging on repetition and charismatic production. Similarly, penultimate track “My Heart is Wild,” is a whirlwind, up-tempo dance track with just a hint of drama to it. Both tracks feel destined to get large crowds moving, satisfying those cravings for a crowded dancing floor. These tracks assert Thompson-Hannant’s empowering confidence; she pursues romance on her terms, a nod toward the importance of self-preservation in a relationship. She gets caught up, falls head over heels, but doesn’t forget the dance she performs is a delicate one.
“Who Are You” grounds the album; Thompson-Hannant belts “I love you” over and over, the passion and dedication dripping from her vocals. It’s a reflective and honest piece about devoting yourself fully and totally to someone, the reimagining of screaming your love from the top of a building. As if those declarations weren’t enough, Thompson-Hannant closes the record with “Baroque Baby,” describing her partner as a picture of perfection who was “good from the start” as their relationship comes full circle. Sonically, the track milks a nostalgic Nineties R&B vibe, at some points recalling Destiny’s Child classic “Say My Name” with its drops and fast-paced vocals. Overall, the album brims with peppy, feel-good vibes that’ll have you swooning, both for its musical content and maybe your own special someone.
Field of Love is out Friday – pre-order it here, watch the video for “Angel” below, and catch her as she kicks off her tour in Brooklyn Thursday night with a show at Silent Barn.
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