Alanis Morissette leads us into the heartbreak season in new single ‘Diagnosis’. The Canadian singer-songwriter has chosen to deliver her epic comeback and fans have never been more excited.

It’s been precisely twenty-five years since her breakout album Jagged Little Pill, so it’s natural for audiences to reflect on Alanis’s incredible work over the decades. Words are not enough to describe how iconic ‘Jagged Little Pill’ remains till date; it wasn’t just a brilliant and dynamic show of ability and energy from the singer, it paved the way for a whole line of singers in the coming years, including Shakira, Katy Perry, and fellow Canadian Avril Lavigne. Alanis even went on a world tour this year to celebrate the 25th anniversary and you can bet that audiences turn up in droves. 

But enough about the past, especially when the present is just as electrifying. Alanis tones it down in her latest single but because of her raw, abrasive and frankly unmatched voice, her tunes are just as powerful and breathtaking. The composition is seemingly about sickness but it’s not an illness of the body; it’s the ailment of the heart. Alanis never directly refers to her lovesickness but the level of angst and resentment on display here will be relatable to any listener out there. 

The instrument is kept to a minimum, which affords plenty of room for Alanis to show off her vocal chops. However, there is an audible arrangement of piano and strings that keep the proceedings touching and calming. The melody is not too catchy, but it’s worth noting that this is not the type of song one might want to repeat over and over to themselves. It’s more about the physical experience of listening that will send you to a haunting reverie of nostalgia and regret. 

She couldn’t have picked a better year to make a comeback, and it’s going swimmingly so far. People might be craving positivity and hope but they’re also seeking sounds that perfectly encapsulate their innermost heartbreak. 

When asked how she brought the gang back together for her comeback, Alanis said;

It took us almost seven years to bring our group together, and I wasn’t even invested in it happening because I knew that the only way I would want to do it is if it was what we’re doing now. And what we’re doing now is beyond what I imagined in the best-case scenario, so it pays to wait.” 

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Author: Shaoni Das

Shaoni Das is a writer/editor currently based in Edmonton, Canada. She remains eager to inspect how the changing culture of music impacts upon the greater world.