The self-titled seventh album by the acclaimed Canadian folk quartet has the stamp of the home country all over it.
The Canadian landscape is like a fifth member of the group – from ‘Wolf Road’ to the Fraser River to East Vancouver to a Saskatoon parking lot – these Fugitives have packed in the whole spectrum. However these songs are less about the humbling scale of their ancient land or the steady consistency of the rivers that run through it, but more to do with the uncertainty of how prone it all is to change.
These are songs about space, music and friendship – the intimacy of touring, but also feeling at one with the ever-changing Canadian landscape, and the ways in which that idea has inspired the album.
The album – is a little obsessed with time – not just the passage of time, but how that feels for the individual and the group – the blur of the tour, with days stretching out endlessly with the passing landscape.
Violinist Carly Frey said ‘We wanted the record to reflect that feeling, where space and duration are experienced collectively.’
Recorded between two different Vancouver studios – Monarch, and the Warehouse, where they literally recorded live off the floor as a quartet. It certainly has a warm and earthy quality.
The Fugitives are not just a band but a close group of friends. Founder and songwriter Brendan McLeod said ‘We’re just friends who work hard at singing harmonies and writing songs. We know there are a lot of ecosystems where that can still resonate, and this album is kind of doubling down on that.’
Formed in 2005, seven albums later, they have become a Canadian folk music staple. Nominated for a JUNO, as well as seven Canadian Folk Music Awards, they’ve toured heavily for two decades, performed at Glastonbury, won awards in Germany and various other music critic awards.
The Fugitives have earned a reputation for unforgettable live shows, brimming with complex harmonies, infectious storytelling and top-notch musicianship. A skilful and lively album that grows on you with repeat listening.
The Fugitives will be touring the UK and Europe – sadly no dates in Ireland.