There’s something profoundly satisfying about an artist returning to their debut work with fresh ears and a refined vision. Nick Bellerose’s remastered edition of The Only Way Through does exactly that—taking an already compelling exploration of life’s hardest passages and polishing it into something that shimmers with new clarity. The Ottawa-based indie folk singer-songwriter hasn’t merely cleaned up the sound, but breathed new life into these deeply personal songs about mortality, grief, love, and redemption. The production, originally crafted in the might Hotel2Tango, now mixed by Shae Brossard and mastered by Kristian Montano, reveals an artist who has grown into his craft, understanding now how to let each element serve the emotional core of his work.
Take “Every Time,” one of the album’s radio singles. The track bounces with an infectious, nodeful energy while Myri’s mystical backing vocals add layers of haunting beauty. It’s the kind of song that stays with you long after it ends, proof that Bellerose knows how to craft hooks that matter.
Then there’s “That Night,” a fan favourite that truly benefits from the remastering treatment. The ethereal slide guitar work creates an atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive, while bright keyboards and sophisticated synthwork elevate the track without overwhelming its essential vulnerability. That steady backbeat grounds everything, giving the song’s emotional journey a sure-footed confidence.
What makes this remaster particularly successful is how it honours Bellerose’s original vision while showcasing his artistic evolution. The Bruce Cockburn-inspired ethos of kicking at the darkness until it bleeds daylight runs through every track, and now those moments of hard-won illumination sound clearer and more powerful than ever.
With a mini-tour scheduled for mid-November, hitting Montreal, Toronto, and Gatineau (with stellar support from Myri, Gabriel Comba, and Alex Southey in Toronto), Bellerose is clearly ready to share this refined work with audiences who will appreciate both its emotional depth and its sonic beauty.
