Kaia Kater has been busy prepping us for her next release with monumental singles, and “In Montreal” is just another one. Thing is, I’m not sure we’re ready. On “In Montreal,” Kater demonstrates her mastery of composition with this oceanic swell of banjo, strings, and electronica. “In Montreal” is, in theory, a song — but really it’s a soundscape that sweeps us away with nostalgia, ambivalence, and affection.
“Simply, this is a reflection on the gravitational pull of my hometown, Montreal,” Kater explains. “I’ve left and returned so many times that it now feels like ghosts of my former selves haunt the city. During the deep winter of 2021 with its short days and long nights, I wanted to write an upbeat song about a poet feeling lost and aimless, tectonic plates stacked in their sink—a nod to Leonard Cohen, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, and all the other incredible songwriters of Montreal.”
Kater teams up with Allison Russell to deliver heavenly harmonies and an unearthly sound. “In Montreal” pulses, swooshing between happiness, foreboding, and sadness. Kater’s voice anchors us in the swirl of emotions, encouraging us to embrace living with multiple emotions all at once.