PREMIERE: Helen Paradise Debuts Stripped-Back Version of "Glass of Anything"
Helen Paradise. Photo courtesy of Tess Roby
Montreal trio Helen Paradise have hit a tender note with their single “Glass of Anything”. Pairing perfectly with the track’s emotive rawness is a stripped-back version recorded at Autoland – premiering today on Also Cool Mag.
“Glass of Anything” marks the second release of Helen Paradise, comprised of Sophie Ogilvie, Chris Steward and Markus Stahl. The group was born out of a mutual desire to start “exploring new textures and embracing the increasingly brooding moods emerging in their collaborative songwriting”. The group’s forthcoming EP, External World, melds these possibilities together, drawing from a range of influences including trip hop, prog rock, and avant-pop.
The track offers deep reflections on the innate human ability to communicate to close friends through body language. In describing her lyrical motivations, Ogilvie points to a kindhearted gesture of solidarity and its deeper significance:
“I wrote this song after an experience at a party, during which a close friend of mine noticed from across the room that I was visibly uncomfortable, and broke into the conversation I was in to offer me a drink. This was a kind of throwaway moment - I’m sure he thought nothing of it - but it solidified to me that even in moments of silence and loneliness, I am looked after and understood by the people who are close to me. ‘Glass of Anything’ describes these unspoken bonds between friends, and the exchanges that are shared through a knowing glance or a quiet retreat.”
This live session perfectly complements “Glass of Anything”’s warmth. Rich vocal tones against the delicate guitar accompaniment glow in the ambience, beckoning the listener to recall their own connections and muted exchanges. Take a listen, unwind, and tell your friends you love them.
Watch the exclusive performance of "Glass of Anything" live at Autoland below:
Shot by Nancy Pettinicchio
Engineered by Nigel Ward
Mixed by Chris Steward
Helen Paradise
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Rebecca L. Judd (she/they) is the features editor of Also Cool Mag. She writes and creates out of her studio apartment in Ottawa, kept company by vivid dreams and a cuddly grey kitty named Dora.
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