Prior to October 2023, I had zero familiarity with Québecois JUNO-nominated pop artist Ariane Roy. It would be a press release from the team at Bravo musique around the time that led to the discovery of the temporary (and terrifically talented) trio of Le Roy, la Rose, et le Lou[p] – bringing Ariane (Le Roy) into our musical orbit. Alongside Thierry Larose (la Rose) – an artist we had started following about a year earlier, and another unknown–to-us artist Lou-Adriane Cassidy (le Lou[p]), the formation of this trio more than piqued my curiosity about their individual works.
Purchasing “medium plaisir” on vinyl, Ariane’s 2022 debut full-length album following our first Le Roy, la Rose, et le Lou[p] concert in late 2023, this one earned frequent spins as I relived some of her contributions to that experience. From “Tu voulais parler” to “Kundah,” and “Tu as le droit” to “Fille à porter” (itself a duet with Cassidy), Ariane Roy’s music was firmly locked onto the GDW listening radar. Teasing with an unreleased track during that first concert experience hinted at new music on the horizon, and Roy would formally release “Si je rampe” the following spring – following later with an announcement that her second studio album, “Dogue,” would follow in early 2025.
As we transitioned from 2024 into 2025, Ariane was extremely savvy, building up plenty of buzz and excitement for the forthcoming album with some well-timed video releases – sharing “Agneau” in January, and following immediately with “Âmes soeurs” on Valentine’s Day (both featured here in some capacity at GDW). And with the official release of the album on March 21, we were more than happy to find a copy of “Dogue” to bring home during a quick visit to QC just last month.
While a part of me yearned for “Dogue” to be a continuation of the pop-rock sounds that defined the trio during their live shows – and given my own general distaste for conventional pop music – once this record found itself on the GDW turntable, it was not a shock to discover that it leans heavily towards the mainstream genre. I get it. Ariane has yet to reach her thirties, has an abundance of creative energy, and is primed to compose and deliver music for her generation (not a middle-aged fella like me). I shall say, however, for all of us old ‘uns out there, approach this album with an open mind, and prepare to challenge and question your preconceptions.
The album commences with the title track which quickly paints the scene – a slow, deliberate pace with a perfect blend of synth and effects. For me, “Dogue” offers strong hints of Ariane’s “the King” persona, acting as a conduit that connects the road previously travelled with an undiscovered one that lies ahead. Progressing into “Âmes soeurs,” both the transition of the artist and her musical journey fire into life, with heavier synth, a more up-tempo beat, and a clearly defined modern (perhaps a little dark) pop identity. As the album progresses, it is easy to state that this is experimental pop at its core, with plenty of electronica, and even some brief hints of jazz – adding evidence that this is an artist point-blank refusing to be constrained in her creativity, instead, making music purely (and convincingly) on her own terms.
Tracks such as “Coule” and “Berceuse” offer a simplistic, slow pace, but both also lure you in as the tracks play out. The former, with some distinct soul and R&B cues added to the mix, has some pacing that defies convention, before surprising with a sudden close. As for the latter, one perfectly executed as it builds up intensity, only to de-escalate just as quickly to keep the listener engaged, wrapping up with some sublime instrumentation to close.
For those wanting something incredibly slow and somber, skip to “Nocturne.” With lyrics that translate to: “You flow in my veins / I know we look alike / The evils that belong to me are harder to defend,” this is a standout track from the collection, and benefits beautifully from some haunting harp courtesy of Éveline Grégoire-Rousseau. And for those seeking the opposite, looking for an anthem, “I.W.Y.B” is the song of choice here. With plenty of dance and electronica galore, the subdued vocals and quiet moments offer an ethereal sound that is handed a short, sharp shock when cries of “I Want Your Body” blast from the speakers.
Alongside “Nocturne,” “Tous mes hommages” is no doubt the other standout track that I find myself constantly returning to. [Tangent time] The heavy dance beat that opens paints images of those scenes from the hit TV show “Alias,” where actress Jennifer Garner (portraying Sydney Bristow) parades into some dark European night club accompanied by some pulsating dance rhythms. At least until the 1:18 moment on the song’s timeline, where the sudden change of pace changes thoughts of Jennifer Garner to much more recent flashbacks of those Le Roy, la Rose, et le Lou[p] shows – albeit momentarily, as the tune turns full circle again at the 1:55 mark. Fabulous stuff.
While “Dogue” needs many more spins to catch up with “medium plaisir” here at GDW HQ, it does not fail to demonstrate Ariane Roy’s musical diversity and willingness to push herself beyond her past accomplishments. The only glaring omission is that “Si je rampe” did not make it on to the album – the studio recording would not have been out of place here, in my opinion. At least a live version of the tune found its way onto the Le Roy, la Rose et le Lou[p] album released in 2024. Always a fun artist to watch – “Dogue” certainly impresses enough to leave me very curious as to Ariane’s next direction in her blossoming career.
Photo Credit: Artist Website (promo images) / GDW (turntable image)
The British guy that crossed the ocean and crash landed in central Pennsylvania (to quote Greg Keelor, “And I wonder what am I doing here?”). As the youngest of four siblings, exposure to music from a very early age nurtured my passion and appreciation for many musical genres. Continuing to discover some amazingly diverse and talented musicians based in Canada, I gravitate to live music experiences and remain devoted to spreading the word about such a vibrant music scene.
