Outside of being Canadian and early in his career, there is little we know about, Rick Christian. He spouts himself as a visual artist, as well as a musician, and when you hear his work, the former seems a faux accompli. Based out of Edmonton, notable for their hockey team, Christian experienced the doldrums of the pandemic, like all of the rest of us. The only difference is, he wrote an entire album about it. While it’s unlikely that Christian’s album will be the only one inspired by the pandemic and its subsequent fallout, it is emerging as one of the most relevant.
The New Normal is reactionary and observant. It’s a 7 song EP that unfolds, chronologically. You could certainly consider it a concept album, as it is entirely built around a central theme. Christian depicts and describes the melting pot of emotions and psychological processing of a global crisis. It’s quite a feat that he was able to provide such a thorough assessment in just 7 songs.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rickchristianmusic
“A Great Reset,” opens with an 80’s style synth groove that pulls you in, gradually. There are some really fine touches here in the final mix, that allude to Christian’s competency as a producer. They destroy small businesses/the plan to strengthen our divide. It’s somewhat risky to make such a bold decree in the modern landscape, but there are many who echo Christian’s views, here. This piece concludes just before wearing out its welcome, and not a moment too soon.
“Machine” is a somewhat icy industrial track. The machine keeps pumpin/I’m goin insane. There’s a sense of being chased by an invisible force of dread on this one. As The New Normal progresses, there is an increasing sense of unease and discomfort that looms, like a thick fog of uncertainty. It’s these little details that really shape Christian’s narrative and views of what has transpired, and more importantly, what is to come.
Following “Machine,” is the equally chilly, “Outside Looking In.” Both tracks evoke the same sort of mistrust and suspicion, over how the virus will be handled going forward, and more specifically, the integrity of those handling it. I wouldn’t call Rick Christian so much a conspiracy theorist, but more so a realist. Someone, who feels that they can no longer invest any faith in the information provided by the most accessible sources. The New Normal is his formal lament on what we have all learned, cannot be articulated and communicated in a more traditional manner, without inviting outright derision.
I-HEART RADIO: https://www.iheart.com/artist/rick-christian-349792/albums/the-new-normal-125186781/?autoplay=true
The music on, The New Normal, cannot be considered radio ready. Christian still seems unsure of himself as a singer, as he uses many effects to mask what he likely considers a lack of tonality and pitch. It works quite well, in completing the outfit of the material, and it’s important to remember his lack of experience. From an artistic standpoint he has captured something quite powerful, here, by remaining true to his beliefs and allowing them to guide his creativity. We may not know what the new normal is going to look like, just yet, but we now know that Rick Christian will be there, contributing to the soundtrack.
Jodi Marxbury