On March 16, 2025, Marie-Annick Lépine graced the set of Tout le monde en parle to introduce her new album, Le cœur est un rêveur, which poignantly reflects her grief after the passing of her partner Karl Tremblay. The Cowboys Fringants' beloved singer lost his battle with cancer in November 2023, leaving behind not just countless memories but also two young daughters.
With tears still shining from the surface of her heart, Lépine revealed, "J’ai ma propre peine. Mais ce qui me fait le plus de peine, c’est que quand Karl est décédé, les filles étaient en bas âge. Alors le papa va leur manquer à diverses étapes dans leur vie. Tsé le regard du papa [en grandissant], le premier chum, quand elles se demanderont ce qu’elles veulent faire dans la vie..." These powerful words encapsulate the pain of not only her own loss but the impending void their daughters face as they grow up without their father.
One of the standout tracks on Le cœur est un rêveur is intriguingly written from the perspective of a child coping with loss, addressing the raw emotions associated with such experiences—something Lépine noted is seldom explored within music. The depth of her creation is underscored by her experiences during the last years of Tremblay’s life as she faced the grim reality of caring for him and their family.
Born from her grief, Lépine's album is both tribute and therapy, granting her solace as she navigates the complex dynamics of single parenthood. "Ce ne fut pas un deuil familial. Ce fut un deuil ben plus gros que ça... un deuil national[...] je voulais dire que même s’il est disparu, il est encore là quelque part," she stated, emphasizing how Tremblay's legacy continues to live on through their daughters and the support of fans.
Before embarking on this promotional tour, Lépine chose to step back and heal. The decision was made early on, as she felt it was necessary to grieve privately; she refused media requests post-death to focus on her family. The public's response to her sincerity and grief has been nothing short of heartwarming, offering unyielding support as she re-establishes herself within the artistic community.
Reflecting on their battle against cancer, Lépine shared intimate insights during her first interview since Tremblay's passing with 7 Jours. After his diagnosis in 2020, Karl hid his illness for two and a half years, striving to maintain normalcy within their lives. "À partir de ce moment-là, tu ne vis plus de la même façon," she recounted, highlighting the emotional toll the disease took not only on Tremblay but on the entire family.
Her recollections of Karl’s strength and determination during his illness only serve to amplify the emotional weight of their story. She noted, "Il a fait un discours super bon. Moi, j’arrêtais pas de pleurer en cachette" when reflecting on the night of February 4, 2020—the evening he made a moving speech at the opening of Pub Randolph Repentigny, one of his ventures.
Lépine's commitment to honoring Tremblay's memory extends beyond her music. She stands as a pillar of strength for their daughters, ensuring they remain connected to their father's spirit through stories, love, and of course, music. Her upcoming performance at the Francos de Montréal promises to be another touchstone of her continuing homage to Tremblay’s legacy.
With her album now on sale, listeners will find within it not only the echoes of loss but also the chords of love and resilience. Lépine’s emotional honesty is not just her gift to herself but to anyone who has ever experienced such heart-wrenching grief. Their story is one of love triumphing over heartache, reminding the world through her artistry and voice of the powerful bonds we hold with those we lose.