Myriam Gendron - Mayday

‘Mayday’ is the third LP by Montreal-based artist, Myriam Gendron. It follows her earlier, critically acclaimed albums, ‘Not So Deep As A Well’ (2014) and ‘Ma délire - Songs of love, lost & found’ (2021). Myriam began exploring the complex folk traditions of Quebec (and beyond), with ‘Ma délire - Songs of love, lost & found’, which combines traditional and original songs with arrangements that make space for avant-garde musical interludes by such folks as guitarist Bill Nace (Body/Head) and renowned jazz percussionist Chris Corsano.

‘Mayday’ presents an even more syncretic fusion of the elements Myriam uses to create her sound. Most of the songs are original, sung in both English and French, and they blend traditional and avant elements with abandon. She is often accompanied on this album by the guitarist Marisa Anderson and drummer Jim White (Dirty Three, Xylouris White), whose work provides a quietly aggressive sort of free-rock base. Additional players include Montreal bassist Cédric Dind-Lavoie, Bill Nace and saxophonist Zoh Amba.

‘Mayday’ is a thoroughly thrilling effort that manages to create new vistas of sound while maintaining a feel that is both intimate and familiar. The music here certainly possesses a richly serious tone, but Myriam Gendron (like Leonard Cohen) is able to infuse her darkness with a subtle, powerful light that reminds us that even the most pitch- black night is but a transitional state.

“Her powerful alto... is a singular instrument, intimate but resolute, disarmingly honest and unmannered. It is a folksinger’s voice, the kind that says both ‘I am a vessel’ and ‘I am a witness’.” - Lucy Sante

“Gendron’s mesmerizing intonation has no exact parallels. Her voice is often both frank and enigmatic, grounded and limitless.” - Pitchfork (8.0)

“‘Mayday’ is an album that keeps on giving; every listen reveals additional nuances and every visit to the end-groove invites a return to the start.” - Lucy Sante

“Achingly beautiful melancholy.” - Uncut

“Gendron imbues this traditional French song with a somber, sepia-toned smoke that summons the past with affection and ache.” - Lars Gotrich, NPR

Available to independent retailers on Green Vinyl

Tracklist:

There Is No East Or West
Long Way Home
Terres brûlées
Dorothy’s Blues
La Luz
La belle Françoise (pour Sylvie)
Lully Lullay
Look Down That Lonesome Road
Quand j’étais jeune et belle
Berceuse