The word intimate is often used to describe the sensual and delicate music that Alejandra Ribera creates, so inviting Ribera and her band to do a First Play Live session for CBC Music seemed obvious. It doesn't get more intimate than performing in a dark and cozy setting like CBC Studio 211, surrounded by some of your closest friends and fans.

Ribera's new album, This Island, is a warm, stripped-down affair and the songs contained in this album feel like old friends. It's as if you've heard them before, like they've been around for a century or more.

Ribera takes this stripped-down approach one step further. Our First Play Live concert features a sparse trio of musicians: Ribera on vocals and guitar, Jean-Sébastien Williams on guitar and Cédric Dind-Lavoie on bass and piano.The end result is that the focus is clearly placed on these well-crafted and beautiful songs.

Ribera is set to release her sophomore album, This Island, on Friday, Jan. 27, but you can watch the First Play Live performance of the album now: