Calgary-born singer-songwriter Kirsten Ludwig (who is now calling Toronto home) has announced her return with a new album, led by the cascading, prismatic single "Less."
Co-produced by the artist and Layton Kramer, Sunbeam arrives on November 10 through Oscar St. Records — the artist-run indie label based out of Victoria that was founded by Kathryn Calder of New Pornographers and Frontperson. It follows Ludwig's 2018 label debut, We Get It Now. According to press notes, Sunbeam sees the singer-songwriter heading in a psychedelic new synth-rock direction that challenges her own quietness.
"It's an exploration of rewriting patterns, changing directions, and choosing softness," Ludwig explained of the record's lead single in a statement. "As cheesy as it sounds, 'Less' is my way of acknowledging that it's possible to let the goodness of others melt away your ice-queen tendencies. I spent over half of my twenties feeling numb to the world and, one day, a warm wave of tenderness engulfed me. It's a head-nod to those who keep showing up for me."
She added, "'Less' started out as a quaint indie song with just me and my guitar. Layten Kramer and I knew we wanted something different from the song and we both decided to just have fun with it. My last record was this heavy, cathartic release I had been carrying around for years, so allowing myself to be playful was a new experience."
Listen to "Less" below, where you'll also find the album tracklist.
Sunbeam:
1. Less
2. On the Outside
3. Sunbeam
4. Whatever You Need
5. Open Window
6. Ups / Downs
7. All I Can Do
8. Missing Out
9. Equal Distance
Pre-order Sunbeam.
Co-produced by the artist and Layton Kramer, Sunbeam arrives on November 10 through Oscar St. Records — the artist-run indie label based out of Victoria that was founded by Kathryn Calder of New Pornographers and Frontperson. It follows Ludwig's 2018 label debut, We Get It Now. According to press notes, Sunbeam sees the singer-songwriter heading in a psychedelic new synth-rock direction that challenges her own quietness.
"It's an exploration of rewriting patterns, changing directions, and choosing softness," Ludwig explained of the record's lead single in a statement. "As cheesy as it sounds, 'Less' is my way of acknowledging that it's possible to let the goodness of others melt away your ice-queen tendencies. I spent over half of my twenties feeling numb to the world and, one day, a warm wave of tenderness engulfed me. It's a head-nod to those who keep showing up for me."
She added, "'Less' started out as a quaint indie song with just me and my guitar. Layten Kramer and I knew we wanted something different from the song and we both decided to just have fun with it. My last record was this heavy, cathartic release I had been carrying around for years, so allowing myself to be playful was a new experience."
Listen to "Less" below, where you'll also find the album tracklist.
Sunbeam:
1. Less
2. On the Outside
3. Sunbeam
4. Whatever You Need
5. Open Window
6. Ups / Downs
7. All I Can Do
8. Missing Out
9. Equal Distance
Pre-order Sunbeam.