We all have those artists and songs we hear that strike the right chord and make us fall in love at first listen. They’re the reason we refresh social media pages, tour schedules and Spotify profiles — because we can’t miss a single release. This is Love at First Listen — a new series introducing you to the emerging, and established, artists with new music guaranteed to upgrade your playlist.
In need of a summer soundtrack? Press play and turn up your speakers for Vancouver-based producer Felix Cartal’s latest release, ‘Expensive Sounds for Nice People.’ The 16-track album is a musical journey through the high-highs and low-lows of life, love and everything in between, and it features some of Felix’s famous friends like pop vocalists Karen Harding, Lights and Kiiara. Whether you listen from start to finish as recommended or join midway through the party, it’s guaranteed you’ll be on the dance floor ASAP.
Fall in love at first listen with Felix’s new album below and read our chat about release week emotions, “expensive sounds,” and how making TikToks compares to making music.
‘Expensive Sounds for Nice People’ is officially out! How are you feeling?
I’m excited and relieved at the same time — and slightly anxious because putting new stuff out is always a little bit stressful. But ultimately I’m happy it’s out in the world and I can enjoy it and also move on!
This album has been three years in the making. Was there any point where you wanted to scrap everything and change direction, or did that mix of stories and emotions shape the final tracklisting?
I have written and scrapped an entire album, so I’m trying not to do that ever again because that was insane. I had the bulk of this done in the first two years and then as the pandemic happened I had extra time to refine things. For me, I mostly just care about consistency because growing up in the late ‘90s, early 2000s musical climate, I didn’t like albums where one song was ‘the song’ and then the rest of it felt thrown together. Hopefully when people listen to my music from front to back they can hear that I thought about these songs being in this order and it’s enjoyable for them.
What inspired the album title and what makes an “expensive sound”?
I feel very fortunate that I get to do music as my job and I’ve gotten to do it since almost 2007, which blows my mind to this day. And to me that’s like, okay, so what allows me to do that? I think it’s so much the people that share my music and are cheerleaders for it. That means so much to me, so I think those are the Nice People and they’re the ones that make my music feel expensive and give it value. This album is definitely a thank you to the people who like my stuff — and the title also just sounds kind of cheeky.
When ‘Next Season’ came out, I asked you this same question. Is there a line on ‘Expensive Sounds for Nice People’ that stands out to you?
I love working with Ofelia K and I think she is one of the most underrated lyricists in the industry. I kind of work with her once in every chapter of my life and I love all the lyrics in the song we did this time, “Old Self.” I especially like the line, “If I told my old self it’ll be okay, would I be better?” I think it’s a really interesting way to think about enjoying the journey a bit more, not always being so stressed about what the next step is and just kind of going along with it, and I think it’s an interesting take on telling your younger self about this.
You seem to have found a new creative outlet in TikTok, especially with your now viral “Banned from the Gucci Store” remix. How has your experience been?
I kind of approach it the way I would make a song. I don’t have a plan; I’m just treating it like the spontaneous, of the moment thing that I think TikTok should be. I also definitely have noticed people going from TikTok to my Instagram or Twitch. On TikTok especially, there’s such a weird mix of people who really know my stuff and then some people who see it and are like, “Who are you?” And I don’t expect people to know who I am, but it’s nice that people will defend me to those people and say, “He makes really good music!”
Speaking of collabs, this album features your JUNO Award-winning single with Lights, “Love Me.” Can fans expect another collab in the future?
We’re always talking about stuff and we both want to do another song at some point, but we’re not going in with anything lined up yet. It would be insane for me if we didn’t do another thing — or even more than one other thing because we have a good friendship going now. I have the utmost respect for her as an artist and we have similar lengths of careers and we’re the same age, so that’s what we’ve gelled over a lot — just knowing the industry and some of its bullshit that we’ve been fighting through for a while. That’s why I love working with her and hanging out with her.
I expect songs from ‘Expensive Sounds for Nice People’ will be on a lot of summer playlists! What new summer singles have you been loving at first listen?
I love the new Gorgon City album that also came out on Friday. I actually toured with one of the guys from Gorgon City way back in the day when he had another project. I love seeing people that have been in the industry for a while or who are my friends win like that, so shout out to Gorgon City. My other artist who I love from a pop side of things is BENEE. I just want to have “Find An Island” on a constant loop every day when it’s hot out.
Thank you, Felix! ‘Expensive Sounds for Nice People’ is available now on your favourite streaming services. Make sure to follow Felix on Instagram and Twitter.
See you back here soon with another artist and song for you to love at first listen! Have a suggestion or pitch? You know where to find me!
Happy listening xx
Photography credit: Trevor Brady
