Artist: Ian North
Album: Everything Is Incomplete
Release Date: August 4, 2024
Genre: Singer-songwriter
Prolific Canadian singer-songwriter Ian North has carved a niche in the contemporary music scene with his distinctive “fallen angel folk-rock,” evocative lyrics, and soulful melodies. After a long hiatus, and a near-death experience, North has worked his way back to creating music. Hot on the heels of his widely acclaimed single “China Moon,” he’s releasing his third album Everything is Incomplete, on Sunday, August 4th, 2024, at Couchiching Craft Brewery, 162 Mississauga St. East, Orillia, ON. Tickets are free. Reservations are highly recommended, RSVP here.
Here at Canadian Beats Media, we had a chance to listen to Everything is Incomplete ahead of the release, and we’re stoked to give you a review of three of the tracks on the release.
“China Moon” takes you to a mystical world where time stands still, dreams flourish, and beauty is eternal. The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of a land where “licorice sticks grow in the grass” and “a hundred-mile tree’s branches sail above the ground.” It’s a journey that captivates your imagination with every verse, leaving you mesmerized and enchanted.
“Thief” delves into the inner conflict of longing and restlessness. Lines like “I dreamed this world was a Ferris wheel and me going round and round” capture a sense of aimlessness. The singer is torn between staying for love and feeling called away, as expressed in “For your love I would stay, but one love calls me away.” The song reflects the struggle of balancing love and the desire for freedom.
“Spider’s Web” masterfully captures the essence of life’s endless cycles. The recurring line “Every day’s a spider’s web” echoes throughout the song, symbolizing the relentless nature of daily routines. The song also touches on the passage of time with lines like “Day by day and slow and slow, but how fast the summers pass,” capturing the tension between the slow growth of things and the rapid, almost imperceptible, shift of seasons.
Overall, this album stands out for its lyrical depth and the way it captures the nuances of human experience. North’s introspective and poetic approach weaves together themes of personal struggle, resilience, and the beauty found in everyday moments.