Horizon

Since their self-titled 2017 debut album, there’s been an internal dialogue that's permeated the work of Mon Doux Saigneur, the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, alternative folk project spearheaded by singer-songwriter Emerik St-Cyr Labbé. While that dialogue is a little less contemplative and more action-oriented on the follow-up, Horizon, Labbé is no less decorative in the way he uses subtle poetry to conjure scenes of everyday life, where the little things matter most. “This second chapter epitomises movement, evolution and how much we want to perform and travel,” Labbé tells Apple Music. The loss of Labbé’s father brings a melancholy tinge to some of the songs, but you’ll still hear all kinds of catchy melodies foregrounded by the album’s country and rock backdrop. “There’s like a little psychedelic side to it—less predictable, but at the end of the day what we want is for people to sing along, to get them to swing their hips,” he says. “Something that’s universal.” Labbé takes us through the process of making each of Horizon’s tracks. Tempérance “It was winter and I’d been listening to a lot of Tom Petty. I knew I wanted a song along those lines, with major chords—one that evoked lightness, something sunny, summery. I was trying to imagine what it would be like to play gigs when all the snow had melted. I pictured it as a country song, but with a more Americana backbeat. Eliott [Durocher, guitarist] wrote the melody; I wanted something catchy, an earworm, with harmonised guitars, a bit like the Allman Brothers or the Eagles. It’s like we’re in a saloon! It talks about not being afraid to call a time-out every day with the person you share important moments with, about allowing yourself to ask questions like ‘Do you need some space? And then me, do I need some space?’ It’s a common theme throughout the album.” Aller “It’s a bit like a response to the first album. If there’s one song that speaks for all of the others, I think it would have to be this one. It’s