Philippe B is one of our most brilliant singer-songwriters. His precious and vibrant folk songs have been resonating on our music scene for over 15 years. The Abitibi-born singer-songwriter established the foundations of his repertoire on his first two albums, Philippe B (2005) and Taxidermie (2008), and then further honed in on his style on his third opus, Variations fantômes, in 2011. Enriched by the work of famous classical music composers, which he sampled with finesse and ingenuity, his sound grew in density with an orchestral backdrop that is both complex and refined.
Philippe B offered the logical continuation of Variations fantômes with Ornithologie, la nuit, a fourth album released in 2014, and then with La grande nuit vidéo three years later. All three releases were warmly welcomed by critics and the public, accumulating honors. In May 2023, he unveiled his sixth album, Nouvelle administration. On this first new record in six years written, arranged, mixed and produced by Philippe B, he evokes with modesty and sensitivity the events that have transformed his life lately, notably becoming a father and leaving Montreal.
Philippe B is one of our most brilliant singer-songwriters. His precious and vibrant folk songs have been resonating on our music scene for over 15 years.
The Abitibi-born singer-songwriter established the foundations of his repertoire on his first two albums, Philippe B (2005) and Taxidermie (2008), and then further honed in on his style on his third opus, Variations fantômes, in 2011. Enriched by the work of famous classical music composers, which he sampled with finesse and ingenuity, his sound grew in density with the addition of a complex and refined orchestral backdrop. On stage, the album's spellbinding musical direction came to life with some memorable performances featuring the Molinari Quartet and a chamber orchestra.
An instant classic of the chanson Québécoise, Variations fantômes found itself on the end-of-year lists of several reputable media outlets (Le Devoir, La Presse), in addition to being listed in the top 25 best Quebecois albums released since 1990 by the Journal de Montréal and being named best album of the 2010’s by CISM.
In 2014, Philippe B offered the logical follow-up to Variations fantômes with Ornithologie, la nuit. Carried by original arrangements for wind instruments, the album allowed its creator to get his hands on the prestigious Félix award for Author or Composer of the Year at the 2014 ADISQ gala, in addition to garnering a first nomination at the Juno Awards (for Francophone Album of the Year) and a first mention on the Polaris Prize Long List.
Over the course of his career, Philippe B collaborated with several renowned Quebec artists, specifically as a writer (Safia Nolin, Vincent Vallières, Pierre Lapointe, Salomé Leclerc, among others) and producer (Les soeurs Boulay, Émile Bilodeau, Isabelle Boulay), in addition to his role as a guitarist for Pierre Lapointe in the 2000s. He also made his mark in the film industry, composing the soundtrack for two films by Éric Morin, Chasse au Godard d'Abbittibbi (2013) and Nous sommes Gold (2019), as well as Dominic Leclerc's documentary, Les chiens-loups (2019).
In May 2023, he unveiled his sixth album, Nouvelle administration. On this first new record in six years written, arranged, mixed and produced by Philippe B, he evokes with modesty and sensitivity the events that have transformed his life lately, notably becoming a father and leaving Montreal.
Nouvelle administration est un album qu’on déguste en prenant son temps, en savourant chaque phrase, en apprivoisant chaque mélodie
Josée Lapointe, La PresseLa force de Nouvelle administration réside dans sa poésie en apparence simple, mais qui atteint la cible à tout coup
Le Canal AuditifL’auteur-compositeur-interprète revient avec tout ce qu’on a toujours aimé de lui : une autofiction malléable dans laquelle on finit par se voir quelque part soi-même.
Élise Jetté, Paroles & MusiqueBeaucoup de talent chez Philippe B, il nous l’avait prouvé avec La grande nuit vidéo en 2017, et il le refait encore une fois avec Nouvelle administration
Xavier Bourassa, Bonjour la CôteC’est un très beau disque, c’est vraiment un important artisan de la chanson.
Ariane Cipriani, Culture ClubC’est un disque qui demande à être écouté.
Laurent Saulnier, Tout peut arriver