Les Louanges is the project of Vincent Roberge, singer-songwriter of raw talent and established musical audacity. The Lévis-born artist Vincent hit hard with the release of his first album, La nuit est une panthère, which charmed critics upon its release in September 2018. The opus continued to gain momentum in 2019 as it received numerous honors, including a spot on the very select Polaris Prize Short List, the Juno for Francophone Album of the Year, and the coveted title of Révélation Radio-Canada. To top it all off, he won three trophies at the ADISQ Gala: Album of the Year - Alternative, Album of the Year -Critics' Choice and Arrangements of the Year (an award shared with his long-time collaborator Félix Petit).
Released on January 21st, 2022 via Bonsound, Crash, his second album, announces a shift towards a resolutely more pop sound for Les Louanges, but in a musical quest that is as ambitious and inventive as ever. This album embodies the dizzying and eye-opening instability that its author experienced following the release of his first opus. Crash not only earned him a spot on the Polaris Prize Long List, but also nominations at the ADISQ Gala in the categories of Songwriter or Composer of the Year, Album of the Year - Alternative and Album of the Year - Critics' Choice, as well as a win in the category of Arrangements of the Year alongside Félix Petit.
Les Louanges is the project of Vincent Roberge, singer-songwriter of raw talent and established musical audacity. Drawing inspiration from Frank Ocean, Robert Glasper and Richard Desjardins, the artist offers a modern panorama of R&B, jazz and soul coated in an alternative pop that seeks different soundscapes without ever losing its original groove. His straightforward poetry based on surrealistic and sensitive imagery clashes with his loose and casual phrasing.
The Levis-born artist hits hard with the release of his debut effort, La nuit est une panthère. Released in September 2018 via Bonsound, the album was praised by critics for its refreshing musical blend, which brings groove back to the forefront of a Quebec music scene historically focused on guitars and folk.
The word spread quickly across the Atlantic: Les Louanges received a memorable welcome in France, playing five times at the 2018 Transmusicales de Rennes and performing at a few well-known venues in Paris, such as La Maroquinerie and La Boule Noire. Back home in Canada, his momentum continued to grow as his album made its way onto the very select Polaris Prize Short List and accumulated the most prestigious honors.
Far from resting on his laurels, Vincent Roberge returned in the summer of 2019 with Expansion Pack, an EP best described as “La nuit est une panthère on steroids". More adventurous than ever before with his compositions, the singer-songwriter lays the foundation for his sophomore album, Crash.
Released on January 21st, 2022 via Bonsound, Crash marks a shift towards a resolutely more pop sound for Les Louanges, but in a musical quest that is as ambitious and inventive as ever. This album embodies the dizzying and eye-opening instability that its author experienced following the release of his first opus. Crash not only earned him a spot on the Polaris Prize Long List, but also nominations at the ADISQ Gala in the categories of Songwriter or Composer of the Year, Album of the Year -Alternative and Album of the Year - Critics' Choice, as well as a win in the category of Arrangements of the Year alongside his long-time collaborator Félix Petit.
Avec Crash, Les Louanges brise le cadre de la chanson en mille morceaux pour lui donner un nouvel éclat.
CausetteThrough no fault of his own, there’s been a tidal wave of vaguely yachty, jazzy sonic dilettantes bubbling to the surface in this province, but those beachcombers lack the pure writing chops and long-form vision demonstrated here. 8.5/10
Erik Lejion, Cult MTLInstead of milking a tried and true formula and emulating past successes, Les Louanges drives off-course and ultimately takes listeners on a wild ride. 8/10
Antoine-Samuel Mauffette Alavo, Exclaim!(…) ses pièces persisteront lorsque la planète pop passera à une nouvelle tendance. 4.5/5
André Péloquin, Journal de Montréal(…) album-concept inclassable.
Juliette Poulain, Les Inrocks[…] un travail de concision où la qualité de conception et le potentiel fédérateur atteignent l’équilibre des meilleurs albums pop de création.
Alain Brunet, PANM360