Even after living in the same area for years, there are moments of profound discovery that challenge the familiarity of one’s surroundings. Whether it’s avoiding traffic or meandering through unfamiliar streets on a quiet weekend morning, the experience often feels like exploring hidden rooms in a childhood home. As new pockets of a neighborhood materialize, a feeling of confusion sets in, only to be replaced by clarity as old landmarks come into view. This sense of discovery, the journey between confusion and clarity, is at the heart of Way Through, the upcoming album by Toronto musicians Chris A. Cummings, Joseph Shabason, and Thom Gill, collectively known as Cici Arthur. The album, released via Western Vinyl on February 21, 2025, explores the emotional intricacies of life’s winding paths and will be available for pre-order now.
The Making of Way Through – A Large-Scale Musical Experience
The album’s creation was motivated by Cummings’ desire to craft a grand musical experience for his vocals and songwriting. Working alongside producers and instrumentalists Joseph Shabason and Thom Gill, the trio aimed to blend their distinctive approach to adult contemporary music with the influences of mid-century jazz icons like Antonio Carlos Jobim and the romantic splendor of Frank Sinatra.
What results is an album rich in both emotional depth and sonic grandeur. The album features an ensemble of talented musicians, including drummer Phil Melanson (Sam Gendel, Sam Amidon, Andy Shauf), Nicholas Krgovich, and renowned violinist Owen Pallet, who leads a 30-piece orchestra. The inclusion of Dorothea Paas’ glassy harmonies further enriches the intricate soundscape, grounding the album’s vast musical elements in a deeply personal and intimate narrative.
The resulting sound of Way Through mirrors the communal spirit of Shabason’s past projects, while it reaches expansive new heights, evoking the feel of a Capitol Records session at its most cinematic and emotionally compelling.
From Personal Struggles to Artistic Triumph
The inspiration behind Way Through traces back to 2020 when Chris Cummings faced the loss of his long-time job due to the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in his life, Cummings plunged into music creation full-time. This leap of faith became a turning point, influencing his collaborators to tailor their arrangements specifically for him. As Shabason notes, "I wanted to make a really big-sounding record for Chris… and create something as grand as I possibly could."
This collaborative effort culminates in an album that contrasts Cummings' understated delivery with the grand orchestral backdrop, capturing the interplay between personal vulnerability and artistic ambition. His lyrics reflect the quiet introspection of a man navigating the emotional complexity of life's transitions. One of the standout moments is "Cartwheels for Coins," where Cummings’ lyrics express the bittersweet nature of longing and reflection: “If I could be all that once looked so great and grand, I would have died for an occasion to rise to, but it’s a gray sky, nothing to say, mixed emotions always get in the way.”
A Journey Through the City – And Life
Cummings’ personal journey during 2020 plays a key role in the album’s thematic exploration. In the face of uncertainty, Cummings took to riding his bike through suburban areas of Toronto he had never explored. These bike rides became metaphors for the circuitous paths life often takes, discovering new parts of the city—and himself—along the way.
The album’s title track, “Way Through,” encapsulates this concept, with Cummings singing, “What good are dead ends when I’m looking through a way through?” The recurring theme of perseverance despite life’s disappointments is present throughout the album. In its grand orchestral form, Way Through balances its lush sound with the honest realism of Cummings’ lyrics, offering listeners an exploration of dreams, disappointments, and growth.
Track Listing:
- Way Through
- Cartwheels for Coins
- Dead Ends
- Searching for Light
- Through the City
- In the Silence
- The Long Road Home
- A Quiet Hope
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