Maxime. is a self-released (AWAL), produced, and engineered artist whose music—made in his bedroom in Montreal—is left-of-centre but retains infectious pop sensibilities. maxime. released his debut album, whatevernowiscalled—an expansive, 18-track project whose soundscapes capture his genre-blending appeal.
Delivered on a cloud of moody drums, maxime. creates off-kilter pop that excites with “Quitting Time.” The single has the artist manipulating his vocals to match the relaxed tones of the warping arrangement. The instrumental builds on itself, adding layer after layer of grey tones and mesmerizing melodies for a final product that is simply infectious. Despite the subtle arrangement, there is something inherently groovy about “Quitting Time.” Evoking an almost desperado-style feeling, maximie. puts on a clinic of tone control as he navigates heavy emotions as easily as the sea produces waves. Ironically, wavey is another adjective one could assign to this single; maxime’s ability to deliver heartfelt and have them be palpable over such a busy arrangement is a testament to the artist’s songwriting abilities.
