Upbeat and filled with positivity, Émilie Landry’s new album Arroser les fleurs is here to lift spirits and remind us how awesome we are. Hailing from Campbellton, New Brunswick, Landry serves us a country sound with folk and pop twists and an added Acadian flare.
In writing Arroser les fleurs, Landry sought out the silver lining in negative occurrences and emotions from her life and turned them into songs that encourage personal growth and self-confidence.
“Arroser les fleurs (Watering the flowers) is a metaphor for taking care of yourself, healing, self-esteem, self-confidence and personal growth,” says Landry. “Very early on in my writing, I knew I wanted even the saddest song to still have an element of hope. I also knew that even the lighter and more upbeat tracks would be very emotionally charged.”
Moving slightly away from the folk-centric sound of her previous recordings and moving further towards a new country sound has lent well to the storytelling nature of Landry’s songs.
“Although I’m new to releasing country music, it’s always been a huge part of my life. I’ve always loved the storytelling style of country music and grew up listening and singing to so many country artists and bands.”
The album’s title track shakes it up even further by leaning towards the pop end of Landry’s musical spectrum. It takes on a slower pace and doesn’t hold back on. Landry has poured her emotions into it. A mellow, acoustic guitar tone couples nicely with Landry’s soft voice. Her lyrics tell listeners of how through hardships and heartbreak, she watered the flowers of her soul and regrew her internal garden.
Tracks “Plus grande qu’hier” and “Le creux dans nos mains” also show a softer side and let heavier emotions shine through the music.
In contrast, the album’s more upbeat tracks, like the previously released singles “Dans ma peau” and “Y’ont essayé” as well as “Shanel” and “Passe à d’autre chose,” make for a change with bursts of positivity and leave listeners with mantra-like refrains stuck in their heads. Lyrics like “Maudit que j’ suis bien dans mon corps, j’ai envie d’ le sortir ce soir” and “Passe à d’autre chose, mon gas, it’s the way she goes, my love” ring in listeners’ ears and inspire thoughts of self-confidence and acceptance.
“I think following your individual path and owning who you are is within itself an act of self-love and resilience. I believe that improvements in society and culture happen when people live in their truth and pursue their calling, whatever that looks like.”