Eight years after releasing her debut album Scavenger, KROY, the moniker of Montreal-based singer-songwriter Camille Poliquin, is back with her sophomore effort, Militia. The album, which took nearly a decade to piece together, captures the tumultuous journey of her twenties, offering a window into her evolving sense of self.
Militia presents a collection of tracks that were initially conceived as voice memos and fragmented notes, now fully realized as a cohesive body of work. The album dives deep into themes of depression and hypomania, balanced by a melodic lightness that offers a stark contrast to the dark lyrics. While KROY’s earlier work leaned heavily into trip-hop influences, Militia sees her branching out, experimenting with more direct and piercing sounds, occasionally flirting with hyperpop elements in tracks like “Defender” and “Saltwater.”
The first glimpse into this new chapter came with the release of the single “Bloodmoon,” setting the tone for an album that explores emotional extremes. The record is marked by its contrasts, such as in “Satin Satan,” where upbeat, bubblegum-pop melodies are juxtaposed with the heavy subject matter of toxic relationships. The opening track, “Killswitch,” sets the stage with an inviting melody, drawing listeners into the album’s introspective narrative.
KROY continues to explore her longstanding fascination with themes of death, technology, and the mechanical, which is evident throughout Militia. This exploration is not just confined to her music—since Scavenger, Poliquin has expanded her artistic practice into multidisciplinary realms, notably through her collaboration with Jonathon Anderson and the creation of her robotic arm installation, ANIMACHINA, presented at the PHI Centre in 2021.
In addition to her solo work, KROY remains an integral part of the electro-minimalist duo Milk & Bone alongside Laurence Lafond-Beaulne. Together, they have released several acclaimed albums and contributed to multiple film scores, further cementing their influence in the Canadian music scene.
KROY’s return with Militia comes as she prepares for a headlining tour this fall, including a performance at POP Montreal. This tour will mark her first major solo outing since touring with Ghostly Kisses and her appearance on the Montreal Jazz Festival’s main stage.
September 28, 2024 | Fairmount Theatre, Pop Montreal
October 12, 2024 | Le Zaricot, Saint-Hyacinthe
October 19, 2024 | Minotaure, Gatineau
November 20, 2024 | M for Montreal
December 7, 2024 | La Petite Boite Noire, Sherbrooke
