On September 12th, Montreal musician Justin Karas released his album “Flowers Wild Abound.” Months later, this album still resonates with me as the theme of nature is evergreen. The harp is a core instrument of this record, enhancing the mystical and meditative mood.
I caught up with Karas after the album dropped. Karas discussed the theme of this album, his connection and appreciation for both physical and human nature. As well as the way that they intersect. In the record, Karas ponders the question of “why we are here? What are we supposed to do, and how can we feel aligned with nature?”
He reflects, “the central theme is the world of flowers, the natural world, and how we fit in it.”
To Karas, the metaphor of flowers also symbolizes the songwriting process. Creating music is similar to how flowers grow. Music turns a difficult, dark, and painful experience into something that is beautiful. There is a natural energy that enables the song to “Grow.”
The track “Nature Nature” (used twice in the title to differentiate it from human nature) is a gentle breeze on a Spring day. This feeling is conveyed through the warm harp arrangement. The song demonstrates Karas’s love for nature, while also illustrating our culture’s misguided belief that if we own something, it is ours.
On the other hand, the Indigenous cultures’ approach to nature is that we belong to the earth and the earth gives us the gift of life. Karas resonates with this approach as it is reciprocal rather than claiming nature for ourselves.
Karas says, “ultimately, we can only live in a linear timeframe. We all know we are going to die, so nature, no matter how hard we try to own it, it’s going to take us and turn us back into what we should be.”
Throughout the record, there are songs that contain double meanings, exploring the intersection between the personal and natural world. According to Karas, the track “Borders” is about the personal boundaries we set for ourselves. However, it is also about the borders placed on land.
In conclusion, Karas’s album is 10/10, as I love the thought-provoking lyrics, which enable meaningful conversations about who we are and our connection with nature. I also enjoyed the detail in the instrumentation and vocals, as these soaring and soothing melodies are similar to peaceful sunsets.