In the process of redefining the harp as a pop instrument as much as a classical one, Montreal probably plays a leading role. The city gave us Arcade Fire, who included harp parts in their songs, as well as Sarah Pagé and her essential contributions to the sound of The Barr Brothers. There are others, and especially several renowned classical harpists such as Valérie Milot or Antoine Malette-Chénier. Finally, there is Alex Tibbitts, aka The Bionic Harpist, who has been preparing for some time for her official release with this first decidedly electro-pop opus, Impressions. Those who attended the free public concert of the MUTEK 2025 festival at the Théâtre de verdure of Parc Lafontaine last August already know her a bit because she was the first performer of the evening.
I had already had the chance to see the bionic harpist in an intimate concert 2 or 3 years ago (my memory fails me), on the occasion of the Garage concerts series by Ziya Tabassian. I was impressed by the artist’s ability to weave a captivating expressive tapestry through real-time processing of her instrument and her voice (because she also sings). This was also the case during the MUTEK concert.
Although the developments are more substantial in concert, this first album gives a good idea of the accessible but still experimental (at least for the pop universe) nature of the Montreal-based musician’s sound expression, now partly based in Mexico (she recently told me that she will be coming back often, which I hope for because we would miss her particular creativity).
Tibbitts draws very visual canvases, tending towards a floating and soothing style but not devoid of more assertive energy on occasion. Night of Violet, the album’s marketing locomotive, also available in a polished video format, is particularly captivating. We think of Cinematic Orchestra in terms of production and richness of arrangements. Elsewhere (and if we breathe) we are in a minimalist intimacy that would not displease Ryuichi Sakamoto, or in exploratory urges that we would hear on an album by an alt-post-rock band from the Mile-End. The very polished aspect of the production, the mix of strings and electro, the cosy rhythms, all of this also reminds a bit of the golden years of trip hop (Massive Attack, Goldfrapp, Hooverphonic).
Impressions is an album that offers the harp a golden opportunity to further its new status as a high-quality pop instrument, as much as a classical one.
Alex Tibbitts – harp, vocals & synth
Stefan Schneider – drums
Liam Tucker – bass
Ryan Truby – violin
Robert Margaryan – violin
Xavier Lepage-Brault – viola
Jérémie Cloutier – cello
David Jonathan Romero – butterflies
