Désormais

Released in 2001, Désormais marks a significant milestone in Julie Doiron's career as her first full-length album sung almost entirely in her native French. Following her departure from the seminal indie-rock band Eric's Trip and her early solo work as Broken Girl, this record solidified her reputation as a master of 'intimate folk.' The album was recorded with a stark, lo-fi sensibility that emphasizes the physical space of the recording environment. Critically, it is often cited as one of the most beautiful Canadian albums of its era, winning the Juno Award for Best Alternative Album in 2002. Its importance lies in its vulnerability; Doiron pioneered a style of 'extreme proximity' songwriting that influenced a generation of bedroom-pop and indie-folk artists. The tracklist is bookended by versions of 'Faites de beaux rêves' (Sweet Dreams), framing the album as a protective, nocturnal cycle.