Billianne - Modes of Transportation

For anyone familiar with Schitt’s Creek, the show’s stripped-back Tina Turner cover (and Patrick’s declaration of love for David) marked a wonderfully emotional moment - an opinion clearly shared by Canadian singer Billianne. What she likely didn’t expect, however, was that her tender 2022 take on that same ‘The Best’ would soon translate to over 70 million streams. Now, three years on from that huge turn, she’s taking that same delicate warmth and channelling it into a debut album that’s evocative and moving, dealing with the upheaval and changes that surround early interior lives. From the finger-picked opening vignette of ‘Modes I’ through to the more breezy indie-pop of ‘Baby Blue’ - via the harmony-drenched ‘Cassiopeia’ - her brand of unguarded storytelling is gorgeous throughout. ‘Future Emma’ sees the singer’s range reach new heights, lifting to an arms-aloft crescendo, before the flirty guitar pop of ‘Crush’ mirrors the addictive giddiness of new love. A relatable, engaging collection that showcases her evocative musical range perfectly, ‘Modes of Transportation’ is a fitting introduction to Billianne’s world.