Here we are again in the wilds between indie pop and kebamericana, and Mon Doux Saigneur is trapping catchy tunes and other items conducive to aural creativity. Leader Émerik St-Cyr Labbé (lyrics, composition, vocals, guitar, percussion) is alongside David Marchand (pedal steel, guitar), Étienne Dupré (bass), Eliott Durocher (guitar) and Mandela Coupal (drums). Jesse Mac Cormack (bass, piano, synthesizer, percussion) and Tonio Morin-Vargas (percussion, synthesizer, organ) co-produced the album with the leader of Mon Doux Saigneur, all collaborated on the arrangements, and there are many guests on the program. Horizon is adorned with lyrics based on the emotional issues and personal values of their author, on the challenges that life imposes on the characters populating his songwriting universe, on their interpersonal microcosms as well as their macrocosms. The language is familiar, local, North American French – a hint that this album will primarily connect with francophone Kebs and their close friends from other cultural horizons. Basically, what we have here is a nice album, well put together… and which doesn’t seem to be very appealing at first blush. However, given a solid listen, the original impression remains – Mon Doux Saigneur need to be heard.
