The Canadian band's frontman, Win Butler, says in an interview that his and his bandmates' fourth studio album is inspired by his 'life-changing' trip to Haiti.
- Oct 28, 2013
AceShowbiz - Arcade Fire came to prominence in 2004 with the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, "Funeral". The Montreal-based band is set to repeat the success with "Reflektor", their new album that will be released on October 28.
"Reflektor", which is available for free streaming on YouTube, has been receiving rave reviews. Some critics even said that the band's fourth studio effort, which was produced by James Murphy and Markus Dravs, was going to be their best album.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, frontman Win Butler discussed the new record and some of the experiences and influences behind it. "Reflektor" was recorded over three years, during which Butler traveled to Haiti for the first time. "Well, going to Haiti for the first time with [wife Regine Chassagne] was the beginning of a major change in the way that I thought about the world," Butler told the magazine.
"There was a band I felt like changed me musically [in Haiti], just really opened me up to this huge, vast amount of culture and influence I hadn't been exposed to before, which was really life-changing," he continued.
Of the dance-music textures that inform a few songs, Butler explained, "It really goes back to playing in Haiti. You're playing for people who have never heard The Beatles before. In rural Haiti, they've never heard 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand' ... they've never heard [Elvis Presley]."
"So if you don't have any of this kind of context of rock and roll, if you just play a song, what makes it connect? There's the rhythmic elements of the songs and the emotion in the vocal - you're able to really connect with people that you don't share language or a common culture with," he added.
