Ottawa's Halcyon Phase have returned with Critical Misunderstandings on the Precipice, the presciently titled follow-up to their 2021 debut Tendrils.
Produced and recorded at Bova Sound in Ottawa by member Phillip Victor Bova, Critical Misunderstandings… addresses "the state of the world, human relationships, actions and inaction, at a particularly perilous moment in our history."
Love songs, break-up songs, songs that speak to social injustice, climate change, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and struggles with mental illness and addiction — Critical Misunderstandings… speaks to our times with a sense of momentous urgency.
Lead single "AI World," about a craving for a life powered by real flesh, blood and emotion, comes attached to a video created by Robin Youlton.
Halcyon Phase co-songwriter Frank Smith explains the album as a "collection of tunes [that] explores the role of the artist in society across mediums of artistic expression; the value and importance of pursuing art at all costs." The new record features contributions from John Fraser Findlay, Gord Finley, Kellylee Evans, Tara Holloway, Shannon Ross, Michael Belanger and more.
Critical Misunderstandings on the Precipice is available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp as a digital download or on CD in a beautiful digipak edition. The album will be up on all major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple music in a few days. The compact disc version of the album and the cover image to be used online features an original oil painting by Alan Marsden and design by Grace Smith.
Check out "AI World" below.
Critical Misunderstandings on the Precipice:
1. Mean Streets
2. Gravity
3. Thinking of You
4. AI World
5. Blank Page
6. Our Love Was In Danger
7. The Pledge
8. We Feel
9. A Fever Dream
10. The Future
11. Not Enough
12. Quietly Fading
13. The Room Spins Around