Review Summary: Neige takes the listener on a musical journey of elegance and beauty.
Character, charm and personality are to me some very important factors to good musicianship and those elements can be found in most bands with strong integrity, regardless of which genre. Those rules does not apply to Alcest though, after hearing this album I can with ease say that the rules of Alcest applies to those rules. This French shoegaze (with elements of post and black metal) act driven by only consistent member and driving force, Neige is truly showing off his capacity with Écailles De Lune, a musically original and gorgeous journey to the depths of his imagination. I always found the “dream world” that he supposedly saw as a child that he mentions in every interview somewhat childish perhaps, but it’s sure something to dream yourself into while listening to his music and it makes it a bit more special. I wasn’t much into Souvenirs D’un Autre Monte because I thought it was lacking, but as soon as I heard the first track of this album I knew there was something different going on musically. The somewhat dull elements of the previous album have been replaced by a rather uplifting sound, setting you in a good mood and made me pleasantly surprised by the musical change of direction.
I live by a lake which I visit from time to time and as I was staring into the raging water turning calm, listening to the album trying to think of the best way to define the music I came to realize how the elements of the album is similar to the act of the water – serene and quiet as well as raging and chaotic but always keeping that elegant touch. Speaking of which, the artwork is gorgeous, what appears to be portraying a mermaid giving rest to a human at the bottom of an ocean. This is tied in with the concept of the album, (yes, it is also a concept album!) which tells of a man that has lost the will to live and chooses to sink into the ocean to be set free from this world, moving onto another. I guess Neige has somewhat of an interest for other dimensions, don’t you think?
Proceeding from the slow, uplifting opening title track, part II is introduced by a mellow, clean intro accompanied by the sounds of waves moving into shore, leading into an organized chaos with blast beats and a screaming vocal performance in the style of Vikernes and I must say that I strongly like it, Neige has a wonderful voice. The track eventually leads into a sort of degrading structure, ending with the mellow intro that opened it. Percées De Lumière mixes the elements of the previous tracks, presenting uplifting shoegaze with both clean and harsh vocals, showing off Neige’s beautiful ways of singing. Abysses is nothing more than ambient elements; haunting sounds of the oceans. Nothing special here, but I wouldn’t want it to be taken away because it ties in with the concept of the story. Solar Song is the weakest track on the album (not counting Abysses) because if the fact that it’s just quite simply lacking. The final track is a harmonic closure and though you may disagree, I find it to be the most beautiful track of the album as it’s so emotionally honest, portraying the man of the concept is finally joined with the bottom of the ocean.
I think this album is by far the most interesting release of the year this far; it’s exciting and diverse, portraying excellent musicianship, songwriting and atmosphere. Not quite worth highest score, but pretty damn close – this is a must for people that aren’t afraid to look outside their respective genre to find good music and I hope Neige keeps writing in this vein and I’ll be longingly awaiting a new release.
