Toronto-based rock ensemble Original Pairs return with ‘Surface Tension’, their fourth studio album and a charged exploration of personal longing, existential dread, and the human condition. Anchored by Andrew Frontini’s resonant baritone, the record unfolds across ten striking musical parables, blending twangy, reverb-soaked guitars, bluesy organ lines, and retro-leaning synth textures from keyboardist Jon Loewen. With Lynda Kraar’s melodic bass and Lisa Logan’s precise, orchestral drumming, the album balances moments of haunting introspection with bursts of raw rock intensity.
“Surface Tension taught us to experiment and improvise. To lean into our musical backgrounds, drawing upon a lifetime of playing and listening to music,” says Frontini. “It’s always intense, trying to get a lot done in a very compressed time period. The whole album was recorded, including overdubs in five days.” At the heart of the album is “Curiosity,” which Frontini describes as “a cautionary tale about the dangers of curiosity – art’s catalyst that can make you crazy.” Recorded live-off-the-floor with no click tracks or digital shortcuts, ‘Surface Tension’ leans into imperfection and emotional honesty, stretching the band into their most ambitious and unflinching work to date.