By Madeline Lines
The Montreal iconoclast cooks up a triumphant return with Word on the Street, a theatrical concept album sealed with a wedding to herself.
Montreal R&B artist Fernie is looking towards a future filled with self-love in the music video for his latest single, “New Beginnings.” Just as the title of his upcoming project, Aurora, brings to mind a shining, hopeful new horizon, Fernie can be found lounging around on a symbolic staircase throughout the video – although at first, he emerges from the top. As he dances through lush environments and moves to his own beat, a highly rhythmic and 90s-inspired R&B cut built around an infectious bass line and sparkling synth embellishments, Fernie shrugs off the bemused stares of others, his vibrant purple clothes standing out against their muted tones.
“I think the idea behind the music video is mostly about self liberation,” Fernie says. “Not fitting inside the marginalized box that we as a society have created; and rather celebrating those differences. It ties really well into the song itself because as the title suggests, it’s about starting over, diving into different corners of your humanity and sharing those beautiful aspects of yourself to the world.”
Just like his conspicuous appearance, Fernie’s charismatic, soulful vocals and harmonies cut through the mix and align perfectly with the track’s undeniable groove – it all makes it feel like the onlookers’ loss for not simply dancing along. Fernie is feeling himself, and that’s all that matters.
By Madeline Lines
The Montreal iconoclast cooks up a triumphant return with Word on the Street, a theatrical concept album sealed with a wedding to herself.
By Cam Delisle
The pop futurist trades clarity for grit—and finds divinity in the mess—on her long-awaited fourth album.
By Cam Delisle
The Calgary singer-songwriter discusses their new single “FwL,” identity in motion, and how every track on their upcoming record tells the truth a little louder.