While Alejandra Ribera last left us with 2014's La boca, the Canadian singer-songwriter is set to return with her sophomore full-length. Called This Island, Ribera's new album is due out on January 27 via Pheromone Records.
According to a press release, the new album "continues her exploration of luminescence — this time leaving the depths of mythological waters and delving firmly into the experience of the human heart." Apparently, influences on the record include a speech by Tilda Swinton at the Rothko Chapel, a documentary about performance artist Marina Abramović and studying movement in Paris with one of Pina Bausch's earliest devotees.
"There is this infinite potential that lies in that moment between suspension and release," said Ribera in a statement. "I wanted to put a sonic microscope on that moment and invite the listener into that intimate space normally reserved for those who create the music."
This Island was captured in a studio in rural Ontario, with Ribera and her band living and recording in the studio in the dead of winter. Trina Shoemaker (Sheryl Crow) mixed the record, and it was engineered by L. Stu Young (Prince). Featuring her long-running band, Ribera also enlisted Bryden Baird (Feist) to help with the horn arrangements featured on the album.
"I wanted to make a record that sounded classic, simple and unencumbered by the production trends of the day," Ribera said. "I knew it would take courage to strip everything down and so I needed a very particular team that would push me every step of the way."
For a taste of what's in store, you can listen to the album track "Higher" below, where you'll also find the tracklist for This Island, as well as some upcoming tour dates.
This Island:
1. Russian Plates On Michigan Avenue
2. The Undertow
3. Carry Me
4. Higher
5. Led Me To You
6. Will Not Drown
7. Blood Moon Rising
8. Undeclared War
9. Soft Place To Land
10. I Am Orlando
Tour dates:
11/25 Berre, France - Forum Culturel
11/29 London, UK - The Bedford
12/12 New York, USA - Rockwood Music Hall
02/23 Quebec City, QC - Théâtre Petit-Champlain
02/24 Jonquières, QC - Côté Cour
02/28 Montreal, QC - Club Soda (MTL en Lumiere)
03/04 Sutton, QC - Salle Alec & Gérald Pelletier
03/09 Sorel-Tracey, QC - Marine Cabaret
03/15 Toronto, ON - Trinity St. Paul's
03/16 London, ON - Aeolian Hall
03/17 Ottawa, ON - NAC Studio
03/21 Berlin, Germany - Grüner Salon
03/24 Wawern, Germany - Synagoge
03/25 Freiberg, Germany - Jazzhaus
03/26 Landsberg, Germany - Stadttheater
03/28 Vienna, Austria - Sargfabrik
According to a press release, the new album "continues her exploration of luminescence — this time leaving the depths of mythological waters and delving firmly into the experience of the human heart." Apparently, influences on the record include a speech by Tilda Swinton at the Rothko Chapel, a documentary about performance artist Marina Abramović and studying movement in Paris with one of Pina Bausch's earliest devotees.
"There is this infinite potential that lies in that moment between suspension and release," said Ribera in a statement. "I wanted to put a sonic microscope on that moment and invite the listener into that intimate space normally reserved for those who create the music."
This Island was captured in a studio in rural Ontario, with Ribera and her band living and recording in the studio in the dead of winter. Trina Shoemaker (Sheryl Crow) mixed the record, and it was engineered by L. Stu Young (Prince). Featuring her long-running band, Ribera also enlisted Bryden Baird (Feist) to help with the horn arrangements featured on the album.
"I wanted to make a record that sounded classic, simple and unencumbered by the production trends of the day," Ribera said. "I knew it would take courage to strip everything down and so I needed a very particular team that would push me every step of the way."
For a taste of what's in store, you can listen to the album track "Higher" below, where you'll also find the tracklist for This Island, as well as some upcoming tour dates.
This Island:
1. Russian Plates On Michigan Avenue
2. The Undertow
3. Carry Me
4. Higher
5. Led Me To You
6. Will Not Drown
7. Blood Moon Rising
8. Undeclared War
9. Soft Place To Land
10. I Am Orlando
Tour dates:
11/25 Berre, France - Forum Culturel
11/29 London, UK - The Bedford
12/12 New York, USA - Rockwood Music Hall
02/23 Quebec City, QC - Théâtre Petit-Champlain
02/24 Jonquières, QC - Côté Cour
02/28 Montreal, QC - Club Soda (MTL en Lumiere)
03/04 Sutton, QC - Salle Alec & Gérald Pelletier
03/09 Sorel-Tracey, QC - Marine Cabaret
03/15 Toronto, ON - Trinity St. Paul's
03/16 London, ON - Aeolian Hall
03/17 Ottawa, ON - NAC Studio
03/21 Berlin, Germany - Grüner Salon
03/24 Wawern, Germany - Synagoge
03/25 Freiberg, Germany - Jazzhaus
03/26 Landsberg, Germany - Stadttheater
03/28 Vienna, Austria - Sargfabrik
