Ottawa-based duo Paragon Cause — Michelle Opthof and Jay Bonaparte — just released their third studio album Autopilot, but they're far from asleep at the wheel in their latest single "Two to Play" and its matching animated video, which serves as a love letter to the Halifax music scene in the early 2000s.
Working with Danish producer and longtime collaborator Sun Rose Wagner on the album's opening track, Paragon Cause set the scene for Autopilot's exploration of varying sonic territories — in addition to its theme of technology's meditation of time — and the sense of empowerment that comes with trusting your instincts.
"'Two to Play' focuses on confidence and relying on my own talents and opinions and feelings — putting myself first," Opthof said of the track in a statement, revealing the vantage point that guided the duo's creative process on the album.
"With our previous music, even though we were trying to be creative and artistically unique and original, I think we were more self-conscious and a little more averse to risk, " Bonaparte added. "Now, because of the confidence we've gained over the last year and a half, we are allowing ourselves to open our minds even more and explore ideas a little more deeply and ideas that challenge us more."
It's in this spirit that Paragon Cause found themselves expanding their range of collaborators to include indie rock legend Eric Avery of Jane's Addiction, as well as English producer Liam Howe.
The retro video for "Two to Play" was co-directed between animator Luigi Salas and Cape Breton-hailing Bonaparte, inspired by his youth on the East Coast.
"I wanted to create an 8-bit cyberpunk version of my Halifax memories," the musician said in a statement. "Seeing bands like Thrush Hermit, Fly Jimmy Swift, Dr. Yellow Fever and playing shows with some of my old bands when I started music; starting my music career playing shows with Rose Cousins, visiting open mics, all that stuff — as well as some memories of home in Cape Breton."
The forward motion of running through video-game mazes matches the song's rhythmic pulse, which toggles between lo-fi and explosive, guitar-driven alt-rock.
Autopilot follows Paragon Cause's 2020 LP What We Started and their 2019 debut Escape. Having apparently hammered out the new album in only 10 days, the band seems poised to continue their impressive track record of annual releases.
Watch the video for "Two to Play" and stream Autopilot in its entirety below.
Working with Danish producer and longtime collaborator Sun Rose Wagner on the album's opening track, Paragon Cause set the scene for Autopilot's exploration of varying sonic territories — in addition to its theme of technology's meditation of time — and the sense of empowerment that comes with trusting your instincts.
"'Two to Play' focuses on confidence and relying on my own talents and opinions and feelings — putting myself first," Opthof said of the track in a statement, revealing the vantage point that guided the duo's creative process on the album.
"With our previous music, even though we were trying to be creative and artistically unique and original, I think we were more self-conscious and a little more averse to risk, " Bonaparte added. "Now, because of the confidence we've gained over the last year and a half, we are allowing ourselves to open our minds even more and explore ideas a little more deeply and ideas that challenge us more."
It's in this spirit that Paragon Cause found themselves expanding their range of collaborators to include indie rock legend Eric Avery of Jane's Addiction, as well as English producer Liam Howe.
The retro video for "Two to Play" was co-directed between animator Luigi Salas and Cape Breton-hailing Bonaparte, inspired by his youth on the East Coast.
"I wanted to create an 8-bit cyberpunk version of my Halifax memories," the musician said in a statement. "Seeing bands like Thrush Hermit, Fly Jimmy Swift, Dr. Yellow Fever and playing shows with some of my old bands when I started music; starting my music career playing shows with Rose Cousins, visiting open mics, all that stuff — as well as some memories of home in Cape Breton."
The forward motion of running through video-game mazes matches the song's rhythmic pulse, which toggles between lo-fi and explosive, guitar-driven alt-rock.
Autopilot follows Paragon Cause's 2020 LP What We Started and their 2019 debut Escape. Having apparently hammered out the new album in only 10 days, the band seems poised to continue their impressive track record of annual releases.
Watch the video for "Two to Play" and stream Autopilot in its entirety below.
