Canadian alt-pop innovator Christian Sean shares debut single ‘Cold Water’.
Montreal’s rising talent, Christian Sean, is making waves in the pop landscape with his inventive fusion of melodic hooks and avant-garde experimentation. Drawing from his indie rock roots and a passion for leftfield electronics, the newcomer is quickly establishing himself as a bold, boundary-pushing artist. His dedication to crafting transformative soundscapes marks him as a fresh force in modern music, poised to captivate global audiences.
Photo by JF Sauve
Christian Sean’s debut single 'Cold Water’ is a high-octane burst of progressive pop energy. Pulsating synthetic basslines drive the track beneath a relentless drum loop, while an eclectic collage of warped handclaps and frenetic synthesizers race through the mix. Hypnotic and circular, the song’s haunting topline delivers raw, emotional intensity, exploring the turbulent rush of feelings that surface when a relationship unravels.
Music is woven into Christian Sean's very being. His early years were marked by a nomadic lifestyle—born in Switzerland to American parents involved in a Christian cult, his family travelled throughout Europe and the southern U.S. until his mother eventually escaped and settled with him in Montreal. Free from religious constraints, he embraced the independence that would later resonate through his art.
At just 10, Christian began playing the guitar, and by 14, he had his first taste of production with a Roland SP-404 sampler. Obsessed with crafting intricate sounds, he immersed himself in Animal Collective records, dissecting their sample-rich style. “It set me on this path,” he recalls with a smile.
Immersed in Montreal's indie scene, Christian Sean began his musical journey by forming a band with teenage friends, performing DIY shows in warehouse spaces and house parties. Inspired by acts like Dirty Projectors, TV On The Radio, and Grizzly Bear, he found himself in a scene where local talents such as Grimes and Mac DeMarco were only a few years ahead of him. "It was an exciting time to come of age," he recalls.
Like many teenage bands, his group didn’t last long. After they disbanded, Christian moved to São Paulo, Brazil, with his then-partner. For six months, he lived in student dorms and focused intensely on his music, working solely with a laptop and a MIDI controller. "It was the first time I’d been without a band," he reflects. "Brazil is where my music really came together."
Energized and determined, Christian Sean returned to Montreal, diving headfirst into the local music scene. Whether he was touring arenas as part of a pop star’s backing band or performing experimental electronic sets in art galleries, he approached each gig with unwavering dedication. Yet, even as his own music began to take shape, something felt incomplete. "I was still figuring myself out, finding my footing," he reflects.
When the pandemic hit, it offered a fresh start. Christian began writing again, free from the pressures of external expectations. "I was overwhelmed with self-doubt, unsure of my direction," he admits. "But as I started creating these songs, almost as a form of therapy, I slowly realized there was something powerful in them—something that felt authentic."
You can listen to ‘Cold Water’ here: