Written by Madeline Merlo, Emma-Lee, and Lindsay Rimes, “Cheap Sunglasses” is the featured single on her recently released debut EP, “Don’t Ask Me to Dance”, and was produced in Nashville by Grammy-nominated Danick Dupelle (Tebey, Tyler Joe Miller, Matt Lang).
Justine Blanchet says, “The song is about using cheap sunglasses – a metaphor for superficial relationships – after one heartbreak too many makes you give up on finding a real connection. For the video, I wore many different pairs of sunglasses as our main prop and drove a beautiful blue Jeep through the countryside of Sewanee, Tennessee. Overall, the vibe of the video reinforces the song’s themes of self-imposed isolation and hidden pain.”
Like “Cheap Sunglasses”, the other tracks on “Don’t Ask Me to Dance” represent unique aspects and experiences that are part of a broader musical exploration of modern dating.
Previously-released singles “Hard to Love” (which explores the challenges of emotional unavailability) and “Heart Less” (about using your head instead of your heart) are included, as well as “Waste the Weekend” (about living carefree and letting loose) and the title track “Don’t Ask Me to Dance” (about recognizing boundaries and knowing your worth).
The EP features the talents of 14 formidable songwriters, including MacKenzie Porter, Laci Kaye Booth, Kelly Archer, Jason Nix, and Derrick Southerland.
Originally from the Montreal area, Blanchet has been spending much of her recent time living in Nashville. Leading into this EP, she has amassed over 1 million combined Spotify streams and YouTube views across an impressive catalogue of ten previous singles – including 2019’s “Strong” (175K Spotify streams), 2021’s “Get Out of the Mud” (#4 on CBC Country/Sirius XM), 2022’s “Hard to Love” (75K Spotify streams and 150K YouTube views), and 2023’s “Heart Less” (150K YouTube views, featured by CMT.com and CMT Australia, and performed on “Today in Nashville”). Known to perform in English and French, she has matched her release output on stage at the Festival Country Lotbinière, the Gatlingburg Songwriter’s Festival, Big Valley Jamboree, the Bluebird Café in Nashville, the Festival Western de St-Tite, and three Diamonds in the Rough showcases during Canadian Country Music Week.
To follow Justine
Instagram:@JustineBlanchetMusic
Facebook:@JustineBlanchetMusic
TikTok:@JustineBlanchetMusic
Twitter:@JustineBlMusic
Spotify:tinyurl.com/justineblanchetspotify
YouTube:@JustineBlanchet
