Billie Ave.

Ever since she was a teen, Montreal singer Alicia Moffet had competed in TV talent competitions. But those early successes were always shaped on others’ terms. Years later, at the age of 21, she’s not only found herself artistically (while also cultivating a huge social media presence), but the release of her debut full-length—named after her baby daughter—is a proclamation of her newfound independence. Sung entirely in English, *Billie Ave.* is a set of personal, heartfelt soul-pop songs—including a few 2019 singles such as “Take Control” and “Open Up”—that serves as a window into her world. Soaring confidently above nocturnal synths and a gently propulsive beat, she recounts being overcome by a lover\'s presence on opener “Body High.” “Why” is a vocal spotlight that finds Moffet asking big questions over groove-heavy guitar arpeggios. And she laments a loss on \"Beautiful Scar,\" a tender piano ballad that\'s underpinned by a sense of hope.