For her debut album Bloom in the Break, Canadian singer-songwriter Chloe Stroll wrote over 70 songs in multiple studios around the world. She had more than enough to talk about.

After graduating from business school and pursuing her career, she began to work on music again in March of 2020 just when COVID was starting to make its impact. While Stroll experienced lockdown in Australia for six months with her now-husband, Olympic snowboarder Scotty James, she started to think seriously about music.

She never stopped singing, but put music as a career to the side after a record deal fell through during her teenage years. “It never really went away. I just needed some space to return to it with a fresh perspective,” she explains.

Inspired by past struggles but also the joy from her recent marriage, Stroll wanted the LP to represent healing and comfort despite life’s obstacles.

“I wanted people to be able to relate to it in their own ways, and in their own struggles,” she explains. “Your problem is your problem, but when you’re standing up against a wall, we’re all facing that same wall. That was my North Star.”

For her interview with Culture Flux, Stroll talks about her childhood adoration for singing and returning to her dream with Bloom in the Break.

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Culture Flux: Did you want to be a singer as a child?
Chloe Stroll: Absolutely! Singing has been a dream of mine since I was three years old. I started singing for fun at family dinners and events. By the time I was 7 or 8, I had fallen in love with literature and English and became obsessed with writing. Whether it was stories or poems that later evolved into songs, I just wanted to write.

What came first: your love for piano or your love for singing?
My love for singing came first, but piano followed very closely.

How has piano influenced your songwriting?
The piano naturally draws me toward writing softer ballads. I love the emotional depth it brings – songs like “Home” really came alive because of the way piano shapes the sound.

You’ve always enjoyed singing, but began pursuing it professionally five years ago. Did you have any trepidations? What made you return to it?
Definitely- I had my doubts. But I realized I’d regret it forever if I didn’t give it another shot. I didn’t want to wake up one day wishing I had tried, so I jumped back in wholeheartedly, leaving no stone unturned.

Since the songs on Bloom in the Break were written at different times, did you revisit your headspace while recording them?
Absolutely. I wanted them to share a common message and emotional thread. I even re-recorded a few tracks to reconnect with the feelings I had when I first wrote them.

Was the album’s title inspired by your return to music in a deeper way?
Not exactly. The title is really about loving yourself- scars and all. The challenges we face shape who we are, giving us unique perspectives. I hope listeners feel less alone in their struggles when they hear this album. Of course, betting on myself musically is part of my story, but it wasn’t the direct inspiration behind the title.

Is there a particular song that you were excited for fans to hear?
Yes – “Prisoner” and “A Lot to Give.”

How did working with different producers shape Bloom in the Break?
Each producer brought a unique perspective and sound. Unexpectedly, all those different influences blended into something that felt cohesive and beautiful.

What did you learn about yourself, personally or musically, through making Bloom in the Break?
So much. I learned a lot about my emotions, about the words I wish someone had said to me during moments of doubt, fear, or sadness. Musically, the album pushed me in new directions and opened my eyes to parts of my artistry I hadn’t fully explored before.