Alcest, composed by the French duo Neige (who did all the song writing) and Winterhalter (drums and percussion), can fuse melody, post rock, shoegaze, and some dirty riffs, in a unique formula that can captivate even the most serious listener who is reluctant in giving this band a chance.
“Kodama” (Japanese word for both “tree spirit” and “echo”), their 5th album, might change that paradigm, as they for the first time included in their sound some folk elements, along with the usual ethereal chorus, so well-known by the fans. Opening with the brilliant “Kodama”, the listener starts this journey through the deeps of the soul with maybe, the most defying and well composed song the band ever written.
Following it there’s also great moments like “Eclosion”, and “Je suisd’ailleurs”, full of melancholic melodies, that surrounds the listener with an ambient only a band like Alcest can do, and these efforts shows that Neige elevated his song writing process to a whole new level. Then the album falls into a more introspective side, a dark instrumental momentum, which gives the band space to explore their progressive side, and the listener to return to earth, like for example in the last song “Notre Sang et Nos Pensées”.
It’s a very diverse record, no doubt about that, but it tends to be too melodic and atmospheric at times, although it is very interesting to put it on if you’re going to grab a book, drink coffee bythe window while it rains outside, or just to take on your stereo while driving your car into a desert beach, to name a few. You pick what suits you the most, as this is wonder music for free spirits.
