COUNTERMEASURE RELEASES GUEST SESSIONS VOL II

Countermeasure is thrilled to announce the release of their fifth studio album, Guest Sessions Vol II, a bold and emotionally resonant recording that reaffirms the group’s place as one of Canada’s most innovative vocal ensembles. Featuring a collection of original compositions influenced by jazz, pop, folk, soul, and contemporary choral traditions, the album pairs Countermeasure’s signature vocal sound with a lineup of powerhouse solo instrumentalists from across the globe. The result is a rich, genre-blurring listening experience filled with catchy hooks, soaring harmonies, virtuosic performances, and unfiltered emotional depth.

Guest Sessions Vol II is a concept album comprised entirely of original works composed by Countermeasure’s Artistic Director, Aaron Jensen. Each track is crafted around a single featured solo instrumentalist who supports and interacts with the ensemble’s twelve voices, creating a distinctive sonic world for every piece. Rather than simply adding instrumental color, each guest artist becomes an integral collaborator, with their musical personality shaping the aesthetic and emotional core of the song. Every composition is tailor-made to complement the guest’s sound, resulting in a dynamic interplay between voice and instrument that feels organic, intimate, and expansive.

The album brings together an extraordinary roster of collaborators, including three multi-GRAMMY Award–winning artists. Bassist Braylon Lacy—known for his work with Erykah Badu and Kirk Franklin—anchors one track with his signature groove and depth. On horn, Dylan Hart, whose credits include John Legend, John Williams, and Barbra Streisand, adds brilliance and cinematic sweep. Drummer Larnell Lewis, celebrated for his work with Snarky Puppy, Yebba, and Mark Ronson, brings rhythmic precision and expressive fire.

International heavyweights further expand the album’s sonic palette. Guitar virtuoso Kaki King, whose collaborations span Timbaland, The Roots, and Dave Grohl, contributes her unmistakable artistry. Keyboardist Clyde Lawrence, co-front person of the celebrated band Lawrence, infuses vibrant energy and soul. Saxophonist Leo P, known for performances with Beyoncé, Too Many Zooz, and at the BBC Proms, delivers electrifying flair. Turkish composer and performer Görkem Şen performs on the yaybahar—his own 14th-century-inspired instrument—bringing an otherworldly resonance heard in scores by Hans Zimmer and Max Richter.

Canadian artists also play a vital role in shaping the album’s character. Harpist Angela Schwarzkopf, recipient of the 2020 JUNO Award for Classical Album of the Year, contributes luminous textures. Flutist Anh Phung, recognized for her work with Twisted Pine, Lydia Persaud, and The Bombadils, brings expressive agility. Fiddler Saskia Tomkins—an All-Britain Champion Irish Fiddler and Celtic consultant on Come From Away—performs on the nyckelharpa, a rare 14th-century Swedish instrument whose haunting tone adds historical depth and texture.

This album follows the success of Countermeasure’s earlier releases, including Guest Sessions (2020), which featured world-renowned musicians such as Randy Brecker, Evelyn Glennie, and Natalie MacMaster, and Orchestral Sessions (2024), recorded with the Burlington New Millennium Orchestra. Together, these projects have established a tradition of collaboration and experimentation that Guest Sessions Vol II proudly continues.

For Aaron Jensen, this record is deeply personal. “This project is a love letter to my bandmates,” he says. “We’ve shared a lot over the past sixteen years of touring, performing, and recording together. Our music has acted as the soundtrack to our lives. We’ve performed at each other’s weddings, baby announcements, and family funerals. Our kids grew up being dragged around the world on tour with us. I composed these songs inspired by our shared experiences. It’s a role I’ve been honoured to hold.” Even the selection of guest artists reflects the passions and histories of the group members themselves—artists who inspired them as teenagers, whose records shaped their musical identities, and whose artistry they have long admired. In this way, the album becomes more than a collection of songs; it is a snapshot of shared history and a celebration of a remarkable musical and social experiment.

Based in Toronto, Countermeasure is a 12-member vocal group that has performed to sold-out theatres across Canada, the United States, Italy, Scotland, Japan, and the United Kingdom. They have recorded with acclaimed artists including Ron Sexsmith, Alan Doyle, Barenaked Ladies, and the Burlington New Millennium Orchestra, and have shared stages with Corey Hart, Alan Frew, The Swingle Singers, and Naturally 7. Their recordings have received recognition from the CARA Awards, the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, and the Independent Music Awards, earning honors for Best Album, Best Song, Best Jazz Song, and Best A Cappella Song. Their original track “Takin’ it Home” was notably covered by the Jazzagals on the Emmy Award–winning television series Schitt's Creek. Countermeasure also provided the soundtrack for the short film Long Road to Freedom, featured at festivals across Canada.

Guest Sessions Vol II was made possible through the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council. With this release, Countermeasure continues to push the boundaries of contemporary vocal music, celebrating collaboration, honoring shared history, and inviting listeners into a world where voice and instrument meet in bold, beautiful conversation.