La Force

In celebration of the one-year anniversary of her 2023 LP XO SKELETON, Montreal’s La Force today digitally released XO SKELETON +, an expanded deluxe version of the critically acclaimed album. The new two-“disc” edition features three alluring B-Side tracks: lead single “protection,” “risk,” and “ouroboros original version”—a fast-paced, pulsing alternative to the song found on the first LP. Of “protection,” which unfolds in warm, scintillating tones, La Force’s Ariel Engle says: “Protection is the fruit of vigilance. Protection is laughing when it’s not the right time. Protection is the heat in your palm. Protection is less fear, more calm.” XO SKELETON + is available to stream HERE and watch the lyric videos for all songs HERE.

La Force is confirmed to support The Barr Brothers on select upcoming U.S. tour dates, including New York’s Mercury Lounge on November 14th and Baby’s All Right on November 15th. A full itinerary of current dates is below. La Force previously shared the stage with Caroline Rose, Patrick Watson, and Michael Kiwanuka while touring in support of XO SKELETON.

XO SKELETON was featured on the Polaris Music Prize Long List 2024 and earned fantastic press and radio support from NYLON, The FADER, WNYC New Sounds, Comedy Bang Bang-FM, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone Germany & France, BBC6, Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, MOJO, CLASH, Exclaim!, and more. Supple, steady and uncanny, the album is a mixture of haunted pop and hot-blooded R&B that glistens at the meeting point between life, death and love. La Force’s voice is stunning—luscious and wise—but so is her point of view—steady, sensitive, physical. 

In addition to her work as La Force, Engle has collaborated with Broken Social Scene, Big Red Machine, Efrim Menuck, Safia Nolin, and AroarA, her duo with her husband Andrew Whiteman.

XO SKELETON + Tracklist:

DISC ONE

1. condition of us

2. how do you love a man

3. october

4. empathy sympathy 

5. rock song

6. xo skeleton

7. ouroboros

8. zipolite

9. outrun the sun

DISC TWO

1. protection

2. risk

3. ouroboros original version

Praise for XO SKELETON:

“the sound of an artist moving deliberately towards evolution” – Clash Magazine (UK

“accomplished, passionate and slick” – BBC6 Music (UK)

“Engle delivers a singular and spectral version of R&B, laced with the sparseness of Young Marble Giants with catharsis and yearning bursting from every note of her immaculate vocals.”  – The FADER (US)

"lush pop and R&B tunes where warm tones swaddle heavy thoughts" – The Washington Post

 “Over nimbly plucked guitar and jazzy horns, her rich voice sounds like pulling over an old knit sweater…” – NYLON Magazine (US)

“[…] we discover a vibrant, powerful world, which lifts us up and comforts us, while also including surprises and getting heavier at times. It’s a lot for one album, but that is the strength of La Force.”– La Presse 7.5/10 (CA)

“While the songs on XO Skeleton are intimate and sometimes gutting, there’s so much life in them that together the pop and R&B tracks make a dance record anyway — just one that might make you cry while shaking all the feelings out.” – CBC Music (CA)

“La Force gives us magnificent pop and R&B songs shot through with melancholy and introspection, which focus on the universal themes of life, death and love.” – Journal de Montréal (CA)

"XO Skeleton stands out […] by showcasing the singer’s gorgeous voice, effortlessly combining indie pop and soul.” – Le Devoir ★★★ ½ (CA)

“[…] Engle is such an evocative singer that she imbues these songs with a gravitas that belies their fragility […] Engle has such a confident melodic sensibility […] her vocals transcend everything that is happening around them. Ariel Engle is a talent to be appreciated on her own, not just as a member of another project.” – Northern Transmission (CA)

“La Force’s Ariel Engle creates ruminative, unclassifiable pop music as haunting as its subject matter” – Exclaim! ★★★★ (CA)

“Mesmerizing… Engle’s new album is a treasure trove of delights, taking in everything from spectral R&B to haunted pop. It also has a rare kind of intimacy which pulls you further into her world.” – Crack Magazine (UK) 

“Rebirth of folk from the spirit of dance-pop… ‘XO Skeleton’ is full of finely woven textures” – Rolling Stone Germany ★★★★