TORONTO/ Singer-songwriter Monique Barry, always one to hit the keyboards instead of the snooze button, wakes up an abundance of themes, emotions, melodies, manifestations, and reasons to listen with her fourth album Wake, an atmospheric musical mosaic to be released in April 2013.

An intriguing new chapter and a bold step forward in Monique’s repertoire, WAKE combines edgy pop vigour, classic stylisation, and seductive ambience, all directed at a range of thematic explorations, including recognition of the human condition, reflections on lingering regrets, and relief from personal sorrows. Awakenings.

Baptismal energies ebb and flow through the pussyfooting hooks and confrontational lyrics of Wash Over Me, as well as the disarmingly bright plea of atonement Forgive Me (“If I close my eyes and pray/Will you wash away my sins”), and the outstanding Common Ground, with its sliding Southern licks and images of seaside rejuvenation (“Salt water is fine/To help you clear your mind”). The delicately hushed So Long takes the form of a private wake and a long last look at a departed loved one; and the final track Abandoned ends in a get-up-get-up! instrumental tangle of strumming, quivering, and crashing that’s fit to wake and mobilize the dead.

Recorded at Jim Creeggan’s (Barenaked Ladies) Lobb Street Studio and co-produced by Monique and Andis Raibacis (who previously paired up in producing her last album, Carbon), Wake features the deftly inviting vocals of Patrick Ballantyne, who has a duet with Monique and co-wrote four songs; Monique’s longtime music partner Marc Meriläinen, who co-wrote Common Ground, on guitar; James McEleney on bass; rhythmic powerhouse Walter MacLean on drums; Terrance O’Brien aka Anomalous Disturbances on ambient guitar; and Jennifer Payne on backing vocals.

This is an album that steals your attention and opens your eyes. Every song is a little awakening, and each has the pull of a musical dream.

You can check out a video for her song 'So Long' at her website  

You can hear some of her tunes HERE