Montreal-based ambient-pop singer-songwriter Thanya Iyer has released TIDE/TIED, a 12-track album that is sonically rich, spiritually grounded, cathartic, and deeply transformative.
On the meaning behind the album, Iyer says "TIDE/TIED shares a story of hope, resistance, healing, and imagination. It's about communal identity and our ways of loving others. It explores how we cope with the waves of life – how sometimes we are floating, (sometimes we get thrown around) – how we're pushed, pulled, held, and ultimately transformed by the forces that surround us. It's a reflection on the interconnected nature of community, care, grief, and the beauty of collective resilience."
While Iyer is the frontwoman and driving creative force, her band—Pompey (bass, clarinet, voice), Emilie Kahn (harp, voice), and Daniel Gélinas (drums, voice)—brings each track to life with acoustic and electronic contributions that enrich the depth and complexity of every composition.
The project opens with “I Am Here Now,” a cleansing introduction where every note, instrument choice, and vocal placement feels intentional. The track evokes a sense of peace, release, and above all, presence. It’s a stunning start that sets the tone for the journey ahead.
The album’s crown jewel is “What Can We Grow That We Can’t See From Here?” Instrumentally, it flutters like a swarm of delicate winged creatures, while Iyer’s ethereal yet soulful vocals steal the show. Her voice feels expansive and hypnotic, soaring gracefully above the lush arrangement—especially when she shows off her intricate riffing.
Lyrically, the repeating refrain—“From seed to sow, what can we grow that we can’t see from here?”—cuts through the layered instrumentation with piercing clarity. At the 1:16 mark, a new beat enters, adding dimension and drive, making the track impossible to shake.
Another standout is “I Am a Mountain (Make Sure You Don’t Move),” which flows gently like water. Around the one-minute mark, it shifts into a steady calypso rhythm, grounding the softness in something more tactile. Iyer’s breathy high register lets the lyrics land with a quiet but potent force.
The project closes with the 7-minute-and-20-second “Waves/Hold/Tied,” a track that lyrically explores the exhaustion of day-to-day life and the importance of holding on to what matters—yourself.
It’s a minimal, freeing, and grounding piece, with a refrain that surfaces near the end: “Try to remember you’re part of something.” It’s a much-needed reminder, offering closure and calm. The keys are soft, gentle, and bell-like, adding to the meditative atmosphere.
All in all, TIDE/TIED weaves together alternative pop, experimental, jazz, and indie into one fluid, genre-blurring experience. It feels like a love letter to music—and the peace it can offer.
The interplay of electronic textures, acoustic strings, winds, layered percussion, and Iyer’s unmistakable vocals is a bold showcase of doing more in the best way. It’s a unique listen from start to finish, perfect for anyone in a season of self-reflection or still figuring out who they are, thanks to its meditative lyrics, soothing soundscapes, and hymn-like melodies.
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