MP3 | Julie Doiron — ‘Consolation Prize’

Canadian singer-songwriter Julie Doiron has long been a cult indie icon but, as with so many other Canadian acts, her career has seemingly gone from strength to strength in the last few years. After spending much of the decade collaborating with all and sundry, appearing on albums by The Tragically Hip, Herman Düne and Okkervil River (as well as recording some great solo albums), her 2007 release Woke Myself Up saw her reuniting with her former Eric’s Trip bandmates for the first time in 11 years and the album received widespread critical acclaim and a Polaris Prize nomination. That led to an apparent rekindling of Julie’s creative energies and optimism; through well-received reunion tours and working closely with producer / Eric’s Trip mainstay Rick White on a new suite of songs, something remarkable has happened. Julie Doiron has woken herself up for real.

On hearing the title alone, ‘Consolation Prize’ seems as though it could bear all the traits for which the first lady of sadcore has become known, but instantly you’ll notice the difference. Julie’s chugging, growling electric guitar skulks all over the track as Fred Squire’s cantering drumbeat drives the song right into its massively distorted middle third, where Julie’s electric playing collides with the sound of breaking glass and an alarm clock. The melody is strong – real, singalong strong! – and it really doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s exhilaratingly short, in fact. The brand new album I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day is out on March 9th.

I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day
01 Lovers Of The World
02 Tailor
03 Heavy Snow
04 Nice To Come Home
05 Consolation Prize
06 Je Le Savais
07 When Brakes Get Wet
08 Borrowed Minivans
09 Blue
10 Glad To Be Alive

FREE MP3: Julie Doiron, ‘Consolation Prize’

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