LOV - iskwêw (ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ)
- Samuel Stevens
- Jun 10
- 4 min read
For an artist whose music has already resonated with millions through streaming platforms and social media, LOV's debut full-length album iskwêw (ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ) arrives not as an introduction, but as a declaration. iskwêw, meaning "woman" in Cree, the eight-track project is an intimate exploration of identity, healing, resilience, and matriarchal power that firmly establishes the Poundmaker Cree Nation artist as one of the most compelling emerging voices in Canadian music today.
Produced alongside Montreal-based producer Connor Seidel, whose work with other Canadian artists such as Charlotte Cardin, Half Moon Run, and Katie Tupper has earned widespread acclaim, iskwêw finds LOV seamlessly blending contemporary soul, neo-R&B, Indigenous storytelling, and cultural pride into a body of work that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. Throughout its concise runtime, the album navigates the complexities of womanhood through a modern Indigenous lens, balancing softness and strength with remarkable grace.
The album opens with "Mama," one of LOV's breakthrough singles and arguably the emotional foundation upon which much of iskwêw is built. While its groove is infectious and uplifting, the song's message carries significant weight. LOV reframes ambition not as a pursuit of individual success, but as an act of service to family, community, and future generations. Her reflections on remaining grounded in one's roots while forging a path forward transform what could have been a standard empowerment anthem into something much richer and more culturally resonant.
That theme of feminine strength continues on the following track, "Matriarch," a powerful celebration of womanhood, motherhood, and generational wisdom. LOV delivers the track with unwavering confidence, emphasizing the power women hold as creators, nurturers, and leaders. Rather than presenting strength as something hardened or defensive, she portrays it as an inherent force deserving of respect, boundaries, and recognition. It's a song that feels equally suited for personal reflection and communal celebration.
One of the album's most spiritually moving moments arrives with "G.O.S." The soulful ballad strips away distractions and allows LOV's rich, smoky vocals to take center stage. Exploring faith, self-worth, and perseverance, the song offers comfort without becoming overly sentimental. There is a quiet resilience woven throughout its lyrics, acknowledging hardship while refusing to surrender to any of it. The emotional sincerity is impossible to ignore, making it one of the record's most impactful performances.
LOV shifts gears with "Can I?," perhaps the album's most playful and sonically nostalgic offering. Drawing inspiration from early 2000s R&B icons such as Aaliyah, Alicia Keys, and Destiny's Child, the track radiates confidence and charm. The minimalist production allows LOV's effortless vocal delivery to shine as she explores the uncertainty and excitement of a budding relationship. What makes the song particularly refreshing is its perspective: rather than questioning her own worth, she evaluates whether a potential partner deserves access to her life. It's flirtatious, self-assured, and undeniably catchy.
That emotional maturity carries into "Relate," one of the album's strongest lyrical statements. Here, LOV examines vulnerability and self-worth with remarkable clarity, exploring the shift from seeking validation to evaluating whether relationships and situations truly align with one's growth. The track feels like a pivotal moment within the album's overarching narrative, reflecting the self-awareness that comes from healing and personal evolution.
If iskwêw has a pure moment of joy, it arrives in the form of "Sister Era." Described by LOV as a dance between girlhood and womanhood, the track embodies exactly that. Its vibrant energy encourages listeners to release burdens, embrace freedom, and celebrate themselves. Beneath its danceable surface lies an important reminder that rest, laughter, and joy are not luxuries but necessities.
The album's cultural heart beats strongest on "Mâci Nîmihtow," a song performed entirely in Cree. While the project consistently incorporates Indigenous identity throughout its themes and perspective, this track stands as a powerful affirmation of language preservation and cultural continuity. Its inclusion feels completely organic within the album's framework, reinforcing LOV's commitment to authenticity while highlighting the beauty and importance of the Cree language and storytelling.
The album's closing track, "Tell Him," brings the album completely full circle. Wrapped in warm neo-soul production and understated instrumentation, LOV leans fully into vulnerability while maintaining the sense of self that defines the record. The song captures the tension between intimacy and independence, wanting connection without sacrificing individuality. It's a fitting conclusion for an album centred on womanhood in all its complexities.
What makes iskwêw particularly remarkable is how cohesive it feels despite its varied emotional terrain. Every song contributes to a larger narrative about self-discovery, cultural pride, healing, and empowerment. LOV never presents womanhood as a singular experience. Instead, she embraces its contradictions: strength and softness, independence and connection, responsibility and joy, vulnerability and resilience.
Vocally, LOV is consistently captivating. Her soulful delivery carries emotional depth without ever feeling forced, while Connor Seidel's production provides the perfect backdrop for it. It's modern and polished yet intimate enough to allow every lyric to breathe with an immense ease. Together, they create a sonic landscape that feels timeless while remaining firmly rooted in contemporary soul and R&B traditions.
For a debut album, iskwêw displays remarkable confidence and artistic clarity. More importantly, it feels necessary. In celebrating Indigenous womanhood while inviting listeners into deeply personal moments of reflection and growth, LOV has created a project that is both culturally significant and emotionally universal.
iskwêw is more than an introduction to a promising new artist; it is the arrival of a powerful voice with something meaningful to say. Through honesty, soul, and unwavering authenticity, LOV delivers a debut record that feels destined to resonate long after its final note fades.
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