After sharing a slew of singles and visuals, Montreal-based multi-faceted artist Hua Li 化力 returns with her highly anticipated LP ripe fruit falls but not in your mouth via Next Door Records. The 10-track body of work explores themes of healing, self-discovery and coming to terms with past traumatic experiences. Bolstered by atmospheric, surreal and genre-bending soundscapes, the project creates an infectious ambient world that audiences are drawn into by her emotion-stirring songwriting and distinct sultry vocal runs. The release is followed by a focus track “Whip Around” which sees Hua Li 化力 allying with fellow Montreal indie rapper Darkus Millon for a deep dive into the tug and pull of turbulent relationships and being self-aware. Over the mid-tempo melancholy piano arrangements and smooth boom-bap drum grooves, Hua Li 化力 pontificates on the whys, what-ifs and what should be with lines like “Still wonder if we could have made it work/but for my capacity to put my honour first.”. Darkus joins the conversation from the other side of the coin, stating he is some sort of bedrock even though the evidence of complacency is glaring. In the end, it’s another case of two cities that will forever be joined by an unbreakable arbitrary link.

Accompanying the single is a self-directed Video8 music video shot by Simona Lepadatu inspired by vintage VHS instructional films and nature documentaries. Captured in the woods of Parc de la Visitation, Hua Li and Millon embody creatures in their natural habitat, blasting their verses to the camera in the spirit of the pre-language communication of our natural world.

Listen to the project below

Stream ripe fruit falls but not in your mouth on all streaming platforms.

Accompanying the album release, Hua Li will be embarking on a tour in support of Land of Talk, sharing her mesmerizing live performances across various cities. The announced tour dates are as follows:

Apr 4 – Ottawa, ON – NAC

Apr 5 – Montreal, QC – Sotterenea

Apr 5 – Montreal, QC – Systeme (Album Release After Party with Shash’U and Cindy AO)

Apr 6 – Boston, MA – Rockwood Music Hall

Apr 8 – Brooklyn, NY – Elsewhere (Zone One)

Apr 9 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brendas

Apr 11 – Washington, DC – DC9

Apr 12 – Durham, NC – Motorco Musical Hall

Apr 13 – Atlanta, GA – Vinyl

Apr 25 – Kingston, ON – Broom Factory

Apr 26 – Hamilton, ON – Bridgeworks

Apr 27 – Toronto, ON – The Great Hall

Apr 29 – Chicago, IL – Schubas

Apr 30 – Minneapolis, MN – Icehouse

May 5 – Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu – Festival Seve

Keep Up with  Hua Li : Website |Soundcloud |Facebook |Twitter |Bandcamp| Instagram