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Album Review: Invader by Danielle Allard

Album art by greyschale

Twitch streamer and Ottawa-based international singer-songwriter, Danielle Allard, just dropped her new album Invader.

In July, I was fortunate enough that I got to participate in the filming for one of the companion music videos. I had to drink and have a good time at a bar for that. Not just any bar, but one that has been a home to many local musicians: Live on Elgin.

Below are my thoughts on the major album tracks. I strongly recommend listening to any music with a good set of headphones because speakers miss many of the subtleties that bring a richness and depth to the listener end. They don't even have to be the highest end headphones to transform your listening experience. I have some Sennheiser HD201s that I think I bought for around $69 about a decade ago that completely rock my world and have an added benefit of weighing only about 165g, which is important when you've had the kind of neck injury that I have had.

Please note, as part of her community, I've heard many of these songs before, but I haven't heard them fully produced as they are on the album. I believe it's important to experience Danielle's music in all the spaces she's in because each is a unique experience.

All right, time for the album review.

Garden - Yes, please invade my brain.

Falling Into Place - This song is one of my favourite Danielle Allard songs of all time and I'm still processing it.

Vapour - Wowee. I'm blown away by the everything and I want to be vapour.

Secrets & Songs - I quite enjoy the jazzy beat to this one.

Invader - Pure bliss.

All the Things - This song has always had a profound effect on me. The album version makes me weep.

Between many of the songs on the album are transitional tracks, which blend everything together seamlessly and add to the atmosphere of this album.

Invader blends synthesizers and traditional instrumentation in such a lovely way that I feel changed after listening to it. I'm forever altered just as we've all been since the pandemic, only this is a truly healing change after such a scary time. Her often ethereal sounding lyrical voice makes this an album that is truly out of this world.

You can find Danielle via her website at: https://www.danielleallard.com/

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Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada

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