Montreal artist and electronic music producer CRi is entering an important new phase in his life; he has just released a second album entitled Wonder and became father to little Victor, who was born on August 4th.
CRi, whose real name is Christophe Dubé, still cannot believe the preliminary aspect of his new offer. The album Miracles, created over a period of two years, addresses the various small and large miracles of life.
“For me, miracles are extraordinary things that we don’t try to explain, a state of mind and letting go,” says the artist, whose sister had a baby in 2022 and whose girlfriend announced she was pregnant towards the end of the album creation process.
“That moment really shook me. It’s like my musical fiber knew this and prepared me to become a father,” adds the 33-year-old father, who celebrated the release of his record on September 22 with a four-week-old baby boy.
As Holy Revelation of the Year at the 2021 ADISQ Gala and recipient of the Best Album trophy for Juvénile, CRi admits that this new creation came with added pressure; the goal of meeting the expectations of his admirers and doing justice to his previous work.
“It reassures me that it is well received. For me it’s a big letting go and a search arriving in my early thirties; that of trusting life and giving everything that happens. “Going into the present moment is the general mindset of Miracles,” explains the man we first met through his cover of Daniel Bélanger’s song Fou n’tout là, which he performed with Charlotte Cardin.
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Logical sequence
Miracles is the sequel to Juvenile, in a poppier, more rhythmic, faster and more danceable style. It was composed on the go and in action, be it on tour, on trains, in hotel lobbies or on planes.
“I observed a lot of little things and little miracles around me that created inspiration,” adds the rising electronic music star, who has used many of his pieces in Netflix films and series.
Miracles also comes with a more confident approach to the vocal interventions of CRi collaborators, particularly on the tracks Astray with the group Half Moon Run, Silhouette with Klô Pelgag, Memories with Sophia Bel and Losing My Mind with Jesse Mac Cormack. The artist even allowed himself to play a little drum and bass on the song Butterfly.
But it is only in the performance that “Miracles”, which combines an introspective state and dance community, reveals its full meaning, assures the man who suffered from not being able to offer an international tour with his last album, which was released in the middle of a pandemic can.
“I see people dancing with their eyes closed. I want us to discover this album on stage and be excited together! »
-CRi will perform at MTELUS on October 7th and at Impérial in Quebec on October 13th.
MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI