Since the duo’s inception, unrequited love has been the driving force in many Ghostly Kisses songs, not just their latest single, “On & Off,” off their upcoming sophomore album Darkroom. Initially starting as the solo project of French-Canadian musician Margaux Sauvé, the added presence of partner and fellow musician Louis-Étienne Santais ushered in a new era for the pop project. Now, they’re gearing up for a world tour in Europe and North America, including an LA date on June 15 at The Echo.
Before Santais joined Ghostly Kisses, Sauvé struck gold in 2017 with her What You See EP, which spawned their biggest track so far, “Empty Note.” Contrary to the title, the song is anything but empty, establishing their pulsating and often heartwrenching brand of pop music that manages to haunt without the intent to scare.
Less than a year after the deluxe release of their 2022 full-length debut, Heaven, Wait, “On & Off” is setting the tone for Ghostly Kisses’ follow-up album, Darkroom, out March 17 via Akira Records. While “On & Off” entrances you into a cosmic pop dimension, the songwriting couldn’t be more grounded, hitting a chord through the heartbreaking chorus that encapsulates the on-again-off-again relationship at the core.
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“Let me in without falling in love,” softly sings Sauvé, whose delicate, velvety voice gives credence to the band’s supernatural name. It’s a line that quietly shatters, not unlike the mellow instrumental that shies away from crashing into melodrama. Most Ghostly Kisses’ songs follow the same tried and true formula, cradling the listener through soft serenades rather than abrasive anthems. But “On & Off” finds them at their somber best.
In 2022, months after their debut album Heaven, Wait, Sauvé and Santais started the Box Of Secrets, a safe space where fans could talk about their passions, backgrounds, and the most difficult moments of their lives. Some of their answers would become major inspirations for what would become Darkroom, including “On & Off.”
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According to Sauvé, “On & Off” “depicts a complex and tumultuous cyclical relationship where two people constantly break off and get back together.” The lyrics alone would be enough to get Ghostly Kisses’ message across, but the combination of Sauvé’s vocals and the gentle production find a home for the wandering ghosts on “On & Off” and the rest of their catalog.
Words: David Sosa
“On & Off” by Ghostly Kisses is out on streaming services. For more on their upcoming album and LA date at The Echo on June 15, with pre-sale tickets going up Jan. 31 and ending Feb. 2, follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and their website.
Ghostly Kisses North America Tour
May 23 – Montreal, QC @ Church of the Gesu
May 24 – Ottawa, ON @ Club SAW
May 25 – Quebec City, QC @ Imperial Bell
May 29 – Boston, MA @ Cafe 939
May 30 – Washington, DC @ Songbyrd
May 31 – Brooklyn, NY @ National Sawdust
June 01 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
June 04 – Chicago, IL @ Sleeping Village
June 05 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
June 07 – Denver, CO @ Globe Hall
June 08 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
June 11 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza
June 12 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
June 14 – San Francisco, CA @ Brick & Mortar
June 15 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
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