REVIEW

2nd album from Ghostly Kisses, the dream-pop duo of Canadian musicians Margaux Sauvé and Louis-Étienne Santais. Following their debut album Heaven, Wait, they launched a feature on their website called Box of Secrets, allowing fans to send anonymous messages. The personal stories shared there became a key source of inspiration for this release.

The result is a sound that is richer and more layered, with dark atmospheres shimmering like a kaleidoscope. There are slightly more bright and pop-leaning tracks this time, which I find acceptable, though the more pronounced rhythm tracks stand out compared to the previous album. Given that more minimal arrangements suited Margaux Sauvé’s vocals so well before, this is a minor disappointment.

Still, her voice remains stunning, particularly on the mellow #7 "On & Off", where its beauty truly shines—this is classic Ghostly Kisses at its finest. The use of Gregorian-style choruses on #3 "Golden Eyes" is also a compelling touch, though it does give a nod to influences like Delerium and Gregorian, which is part of the charm.

Following last year’s success, Ghostly Kisses are returning to Japan, with performances at Asagiri JAM and a solo show—a huge step forward. Their previous visit impressed fans with arrangements featuring Margaux Sauvé’s violin, delivering an experience even more moving than the recordings. Fans should not miss this.