Hilary Weaver, a 21-year-old Toronto singer, unveils Heart Breakout, a seven-track collection that threads bright romance with candid heartbreak. The songs range from buoyant love anthems to sharper, more furious breakup tunes, including the defiant anthem Shame On You. Across the set, listeners hear a voice that feels confident yet curious, as if the artist is inviting fans to come along on a personal journey. The energy is upbeat on tracks that celebrate new love, and unflinchingly honest on moments when trust is broken. Heart Breakout marks a clear step forward in her artistry.
During a lively night at Revival Bar in Toronto, Hilary offered a curated slice of her catalog, weaving in songs from her 2010 Tell The Next Girl EP with material from the new full length. The performance showcased her evolving stage presence and songwriting, with the crowd responding to the honesty and sparkle in her delivery. This year she earned a place among Akon’s Emerging Artist Grammy Contest Top 10 Finalists and was named a Semi-Finalist in the 2012 Unsigned Music Competition in the Vocal Performance category for Heart Breakout.
The Magazine spoke with Hilary during the Heart Breakout album release show in Toronto, a moment that allowed questions about the album to surface amid the excitement of the crowd. The discussion touched on how Heart Breakout compares with the earlier EP and how studio life shapes an artist. The interview reveals how the songs connect to personal growth, as well as the anticipation surrounding performances and live arrangements that bring the recordings to life on stage.
Recording Heart Breakout was a different experience than Tell The Next Girl, with the majority tracked in Los Angeles. The project was laid down in a historic room converted into The Ballroom Studio, a space with a vocal booth that offered privacy and comfort. Weaver describes loving the booth because she could sing freely without being watched. She enjoyed the LA atmosphere, calling it a dream to work there, and she feels the album shows growth in her voice and artistry since the 2010 release.
While the recording process was creative, the personnel helped shape the sound. The engineer on Heart Breakout was Mark Needham, a respected figure who has worked with artists across pop and rock. The producer Robin DiMaggio, renowned for his drumming and percussion prowess, guided the rhythm section and brought in a roster of guest players, including Michael Bearden, who has served as Michael Jackson’s music director for his late career tours. The collaboration yielded a blend of polished production and musical depth that supports the album’s themes.
The title Heart Breakout comes from the opening lyric of a new song that examines heartbreak as a doorway rather than an end. The narrative follows a young person learning to trust again after betrayal, discovering that reclaiming self-worth is the first step toward opening to love. The album presents a hopeful arc: facing fear, rebuilding confidence, and letting the heart breakout into life again.
Fans often ask which track stands out. For Hilary, the title track Heart Breakout is a defining moment, representing a new chapter she feels ready to explore. Another track with a special place is Never Made It Home, which she says holds a personal meaning connected to her grandfather. He loved to sing and encouraged her, and his memory anchors the emotional core of that song even as the music moves forward.
When she writes, she draws inspiration from artists known for powerhouse voices and fearless storytelling. Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Demi Lovato are the singers she admires most, and she cites their vocal strength and stage presence as daily motivation. The influence shapes her approach to melody, phrasing, and performance, pushing her to balance vulnerability with conviction.
If given a chance to work with any artist, Hilary would pick Celine Dion. The Canadian icon has a rare gift for timing and tone, and Weaver recalls watching her assertive command of a room in Toronto. A collaboration with Dion would be a dream and a remarkable honor, blending pop sensibility with a classical sense of phrasing.
People looking to own Heart Breakout can find it through major digital stores and streaming platforms, ensuring easy access for listeners on both sides of the border. The collection is also available at select retailers, and fans can expect a blend of radio-friendly tracks and more intimate ballads that fit both casual listening and attentive listening. The album invites repeated listening as new details surface with each listen.
With Heart Breakout, Hilary Weaver signals a clear trajectory for her career. The music blends accessible pop hooks with a storytelling honesty that resonates with contemporary listeners. As she continues to perform and write, her voice and confidence seem destined to expand, inviting fans to join her on a journey from heartbreak to breakout moments.