If she chose to call this seventh album in such a simple way, it is because of the mysteries of the universe and the unresolved questions that this number represents, explains the singer.
“It’s a very mystical number and I found that the album was tinged with a certain questioning, a quest towards oneself. It’s a number that really encompassed my state of mind for the creation of this album.”
Marie-Mai was in Gatineau to promote her new and seventh album. (Patrick Woodbury/Le Droit)
For several years, Marie-Mai has been traveling, walking on her own path to try to learn to know herself better, to get rid of unnecessary traumas, to look in the mirror with pride, love and respect to be able to recognize her good blows, but also its faults.
With Septthe singer-songwriter agrees to be. Through the 10 pieces, she gives access to the multiple faces of her personality, moves from one emotion to another and refuses to limit herself to a single part of her identity. The artist thus balances in perfect balance between the ballad, the release of steam and the energy of a dance floor.
Looking back
Like a retrospective, this album looks back with respect by bringing back musical elements that make it Marie-Mai’s signature. Like fast guitar and more pop melodies.
At 40, Marie-Mai admits that it’s time to take stock. (Patrick Woodbury/Le Droit)
“I wanted to give a modern twist, but with the packaging that we could find on previous albums. It’s current pop, very modern, but with lyrics that have a certain depth.”
At 40, Marie-Mai admits that it’s time to take stock. Without falling into nostalgia, she looks behind her shoulder and affirms without hesitation that she is proud of her choices and of all her questioning.
“I am exactly where I wanted to be and it’s thanks to all these choices. I have zero regrets. If I am happy as I am today and I feel accomplished as a woman, mother, blonde and artist, it’s thanks to that. When I look back, I don’t want to go back, but I am able to see the treasures and lessons I have learned over the years. It’s these lessons that I incorporated into the message of these songs.”
Rock the demons
Accustomed to working in a way to seek out precise sounds, Marie-Mai found the right fit with director Lucas The Producer, who allowed her to commit to an album by expressing herself differently and bringing it elsewhere.
Marie-Mai decides today to cradle her demons, those that prevented her from being the best version of herself. (Patrick Woodbury/Le Droit)
“He likes as many varieties of styles as I do and that was a good indicator that he was the right person for me. I like a piano-vocal song, an electro song, a rock song just as much. I don’t feel like choosing a style.”
Five years have passed between the release of the last album She and I et Sept. Marie-Mai hesitated for a long time to launch this album until the fire of passion was rekindled within her. I needed to do something else, she said. Between TV and gaming, Music came back naturally, even in an industry still in transformation.
“She’s back in the box she always should have been. It’s my first love, it’s more than my job. Music is who I am, my way of expressing myself, my therapy, an extension of my emotions.”
And Marie-Mai doesn’t want to bully herself or keep quiet. With the room I rock him in my armsthe artist decides to no longer fight with her duality and agrees to love herself completely for who she is. Song in response to the piece ConscienceMarie-Mai cradles her demons, those that prevented her from being the best version of herself.
“It’s a nice nod to a song from the past, one of my favorites. The arrangement, the sounds of the synths and the heaviness of the rhythm and the energy and the text, I find them perfect.
Marie-Mai, a pop star?
For a long time, Marie-Mai has been called the queen of pop in Quebec. But the fast guitar, the heavy drums and the darker sides of her heart that come out in some of her musical pieces easily bring back the rocker that the province knew 20 years ago. The main interested party qualifies the idea of being a pop star by taking the time to clarify that she does not consider herself that way.
“I am a wife and a mother. My daily life is not the dresses of Big Brother. But it’s flattering, but it comes with an unattainable side that I didn’t like.”
— Marie-Mai
Pejorative, pop? Less and less, she believes. Marie-Mai instead decided to let go of this reductive complex as if it were easier to create pop music.
“Is there anything more difficult than having the sauce to make a hit radio?” When she thinks of the Beyoncé, Rihanna and Taylor Swift of this world, she is delighted to see that pop artists are increasingly writing their lyrics and believes that this brings credibility to this musical genre.
Marie-Mai will travel the roads of Quebec next summer, from one festival to another, to meet her audience. (Patrick Woodbury/Le Droit)
“I love my rock era, and that’s why we put Black on Black on the album, but it’s also something I want to keep visiting. When I walk on stage and do a rock song, there’s no other feeling like it. It’s like an extension of myself.”
With his soul emoMarie-Mai emphasizes her desire to visit this much loved facet of many of her fans from the first hour. At a festival next summer perhaps, she adds.
“There are songs on the album like Everyone has their reasons et I rock him in my arms that you add a riff guitar on that and they’re wicked rock songs.”
On a festival tour next summer, Marie-Mai plans to have fun on the roads of the province, meet her audience again, celebrate her career, but above all all of her identities.
L’album Sept is available on CD and in digital format.
