Elisapie’s newest release “Uummati Attanarsimat (Heart of Glass)” is a captivating and emotional rendition of Blondie’s 1979 hit song, sung entirely in Inuktitut. The song is translated from English by Elisapie herself, and produced by her long-time collaborator Joe Grass.
Inspired by a childhood memory, Elisapie reflects on a time when she was just a young girl, visiting her adoptive mother’s family in the small village of Ivujivik. Her parents would often go gambling, leaving her free to play with her older cousins, who would take her to dance halls where they would listen to music and dance the night away. One particular night stands out to Elisapie, when the song “Heart of Glass” by Blondie came on and her cousins danced like crazy. The feeling of joy and love that she experienced during that night has stayed with her, and it is the inspiration behind her version of the song.
The accompanying video, directed by Philippe Léonard, features archival footage shot on Super 8 film in the Far North of Quebec. The breathtaking landscapes and everyday scenes of Inuit winter lifestyle were obtained from the Avataq Cultural Institute and the Mary & Bill Cowley Collection. The video complements the song perfectly, as it showcases the beauty of the land and people of the North. Elisapie’s love for her territory and language, Inuktitut, is evident in the video, and it remains at the core of her creative journey. Born and raised in Salluit, a small village in Nunavik that is only accessible by plane, Elisapie has become an emblematic Canadian Inuk singer-songwriter.
Elisapie’s voice is both haunting and beautiful in her rendition of “Uummati Attanarsimat (Heart of Glass)”. The song has a slow, melodic quality that emphasizes the emotion behind the lyrics. Elisapie’s use of Inuktitut gives the song a new, unique quality, and it showcases the beauty of the language. The melody and vocals are accompanied by a simple acoustic guitar, which allows Elisapie’s voice to shine.
“Uummati Attanarsimat (Heart of Glass)” is a beautiful and emotional song that showcases Elisapie’s incredible talent as a singer-songwriter. Her love for her territory and language is evident in the song and video, and it adds a unique quality to the song. The video perfectly complements the song, as it showcases the beauty of the North and the people who call it home. Elisapie’s love for her culture and her music is evident in everything she does, and “Uummati Attanarsimat (Heart of Glass)” is a beautiful example of this.
