In 2017, Toronto composer and saxophonist Chelsea McBride wowed critics and listeners alike with The Twilight Fall, the first full length album from her large ensemble Socialist Night School. Two years later, Chelsea and co. are back with an even more ambitious follow up: Aftermath. This is an album that explores conflict in all its forms: macro and micro, internal and interpersonal. It’s an exploration of the things that we do to each other out of hurt, and the consequences of those actions.

“The works found on this album were meant to be dark, and scary,” explains McBride. “Conflict is never an easy thing to explore. But I can’t look at all the hurt that inspired this recording without remembering that even in the worst moments…somehow there is hope. People are inherently good. We may gravitate to the negative at times, but we could use a little more practice of love and gratitude. To remember that if we don’t teach, no one learns, and if we don’t open, no one loves. Consider this album to be an invitation and a call to action: to be true to your word, to own your actions, and your commitment to a making the world a better place. No one person has all the answers, all things right, all things good. But you are much stronger when you’re not alone.”

It’s an ode to and an antidote for times of division – times such as these.

www.crymmusic.com

Release Date: Friday November 1st, 2019