If you also want to create a music blog one day, we are going to reveal a little trick to you. It can happen that when you're going through your submissions (which are way more than you can imagine), you have doubts about a song. And of course, you will have all the questions that go along with: "Will our audience like it? Will they be enthusiastic?". If you have any doubt, it's like a cake. Let the dough rest. And come back to it later.

That's exactly what happened to us when we received Gabrielle Shonk's new single: "How We Used To Be". First, we thought it lacked a bit of intensity and emotional power in the production. It is true that giving you chills is our primary goal. It was the last song before lunch. We just thought "it doesn't matter, we'll come back to it this afternoon".

Throughout lunch, we had the chorus melody running through our heads. And that is a very good sign. We need this song. Because if it has this addictive power over us, it will have it over you. After lunch, new listening, this time with the music video.

Bang. Immediate crush. And we exclaimed: "we can't pass up this little gem!"

Oh sure, we don't mean you'll have that kind of doubt as a listener. After all, music and musical tastes are very subjective, and what appeals to some might not appeal to others.

The emotional power of this song lies above all in the vocal interpretation of the artist based in Quebec City, Canada. Whether in the perfect mastery of vocal intensity of the verses or in the wonderful vocal harmonies of the chorus. Emotions flow, through every word of every line.

The production is very elaborate, and the piano is discreet but nevertheless a centerpiece of the puzzle. The acoustic guitar is discreet too, with a more important place in the quieter part of the last chorus.

Very full of nostalgia, the song allows the artist to remember the good times of a relationship... before it ended up collapsing.

The first line of the second verse perfectly sums up the feeling we had when we returned to the song after lunch: "The power you have over me is something close to disturbing". We want to say the same thing to Gabrielle.

In a very beautiful music video directed by Gerardo Alcaine, Gabrielle wanders in a consignment store where thousands of sometimes useless things are piled up. Perhaps as useless as the dark clouds that came to ruin her relationship for no reason. And the flamboyant red of her hair contrasts wonderfully with the cold atmosphere of the place.

"How We Used To Be" is a nice surprise. The more you dig, the more fabulous things you find. You just have to take the time.

Reach out to Gabrielle Shonk