Described by the composer as a “maximalist epic” and “a fantasy of the everyday,” mirador traces a path back to Blais’ childhood in suburban Québec. Drawing on memories of growing up queer with Tourette’s, the album revisits a family basement filled with books, cassette tapes and VHS recordings; ordinary objects that became gateways to imagined worlds far beyond their surroundings.
The title, derived from the Latin mirari (“to marvel”), reflects the album’s central idea: finding vastness within limitation. Written for choir, strings, piano and Andean instruments, mirador expands these childhood memories into a richly orchestrated work that balances intimacy with scale.
“Cutting a crown out of cardboard and suddenly possessing an entire kingdom,” Blais wrote when announcing the record via Instagram.
The album also marks a renewed collaboration with filmmaker Adrian Villagomez, who developed the artwork, visualisers and a long-form film accompanying the release. The pair previously worked together on the video for passepied, which won at the UK Music Video Awards.
mirador is out 25 September.