Burgundy on Sunbleach, Summer, and Honest Songs

The Montreal artist reflects on trusting instinct, finding warmth in the creative process, and the story behind his latest single, Sunbleach.

Before Sunbleach became the song it is today, it spent a long time waiting.

Not for the right melody or production, but for the right moment. Burgundy knew what he wanted the song to explore long before he knew how to say it. Rather than rushing the process, he let life fill in the spaces until the lyrics felt honest enough to write.

The result is one of his most immersive releases yet. Floating somewhere between alternative, indie pop, and R&B, Sunbleach feels effortless in the way only carefully lived-in songs can. Warm production, intimate songwriting, and subtle details pull you into its world without ever asking for your attention.

We recently caught up with Burgundy to talk about writing from experience, building songs around feeling instead of perfection, and why Sunbleach was worth waiting for.

Waiting for the right moment

While Sunbleach sounds effortless, Burgundy admits it was one of the longest songs he's worked on.

"Honestly, it took me way too long to write this song. I had an idea of what I wanted it to be about, but I kinda had to wait for that specific situation to happen to write lyrics that felt honest and true."

That patience is exactly what gives the song its emotional pull. Nothing feels over explained or rushed. Instead, every lyric lands naturally, making the song feel less like a diary entry and more like a memory that's finally ready to be shared.

Chasing the feeling

Before a single lyric appears, Sunbleach already places you somewhere.

There's a warmth woven throughout the production that feels unmistakably seasonal, creating the kind of atmosphere that immediately slows everything down.

For Burgundy, that feeling became the foundation for the entire record.

"I wanted it to feel like a warm summer day, the ones where it's too hot to do much of anything but bake in the sun."

That image lives inside every corner of the song. The production never overwhelms the writing. Instead, it quietly creates space for the emotion to exist, allowing the listener to settle into the moment rather than rush through it.

Letting the music evolve

One of Burgundy's greatest strengths is refusing to stay inside a single genre. His music naturally blends alternative, indie pop, and R&B without sounding like it's trying to fit into any one category.

That freedom comes from allowing his music to evolve alongside him.

"We've done a lot of musical exploration in the past few years. I think it's a never ending process. As I evolve in different ways, I want my music to do the same."

It's an approach that makes every release feel familiar while still offering something new. Rather than chasing trends, Burgundy continues to trust his instincts, letting each song become whatever it needs to be.

Keeping the moments that matter

Like many songs that spend years taking shape, Sunbleach went through countless versions before reaching its final form.

Ironically, one of Burgundy's favorite moments came from the earliest recording.

"This song in particular has had so many different versions, but there was something in the first recording of the vocals that I've never been able to recreate exactly, so I wrote the lyrics around the random words I was singing during that recording and chopped it in there."

It's a small production decision that perfectly reflects his creative philosophy. Instead of polishing every rough edge away, he chose to preserve the emotion that made the recording feel alive in the first place.

Writing with people in mind

As Burgundy's audience has grown, performing has naturally changed the way he thinks about songwriting.

He's begun paying closer attention to the moments that listeners might carry with them long after the music stops.

"Since I've started performing more regularly, I've noticed that people will sing repetitive sections of the songs, and having people sing your lyrics back to you might be one of the best feelings on earth, so I keep that in mind as I'm writing."

It's easy to understand why his community continues to grow. Whether it's intimate listening parties, packed live shows, or the conversations happening after the music ends, Burgundy creates songs that invite people into them.

Looking ahead

Outside of music, Burgundy says journaling has become one of his biggest creative outlets, helping him organize thoughts and emotions into something he can eventually write from. He's also found inspiration in spending more time alone, giving himself room to experience life without constantly searching for the next idea.

When we asked what he hopes listeners take with them after hearing Sunbleach, his answer perfectly captured the spirit of the record.

"I hope they carry the energy of the song with them, whether it's on a roadtrip, by the beachside, on a walk."

That may be the best way to describe Sunbleach. It doesn't demand your attention. It simply finds its place beside you, whether you're driving with the windows down, watching the sun disappear, or sitting quietly with your own thoughts.

Stream Sunbleach by Burgundy out now.

Photography: @nounouu.jpg