Prophecy are fast becoming one of my favourite labels, simply because while their artists vary from harsh black metal to funeral doom to acoustic shoegaze the quality is consistent and their ethos of “eerie emotional music” shines through with the vast majority of their releases. With that in mind, I can’t imagine there being a more appropriate label for this “new” musical project from Fursy Teyssier (also of now-defunct Amesoeurs). The brains behind the band, he has a multi-presence in the music and art world having created artwork for Arctic Plateau, Peste Noire and the gorgeous new Alcest album cover (while he also hints at a hush-hush project with Agalloch on his website) and has directed a number of short animated films including one in relation to the Sophie Lancaster foundation.
One note on his website states, in relation to Les Discrets, “music helps to make pictures, pictures help to make music,” and I imagine it is well worth shelling out for the limited edition version of the album which comes with a 56 page booklet filled with original illustrations as well as lyrics and English translations and a DVD of his animated movie Tir Nan Og. For now, it is the music that is important and in itself it paints a rather beautiful picture that you’ll want to stand back and appreciate letting all the subtle shades and nuances come out gradually. An atmospheric intro sets the tone and prepares you for a reasonably calm, steady ride as it seamlessly segues into ‘L’ Échappée’ which sweeps up into a mid-paced rhythm as the elements envelop your senses completely. There’s a lone clean guitar melody that haunts the mix lending an air of dejection, building up in between the drifting verse lines really creating an ambience. In a way it’s like the calm before the storm as the tenderness leads way for the fierce crashing tide that comes in on ‘Les feuilles de l’ Olivier;’ the drums remain high in the mix awaiting all else to sweep back up on the chorus working out a subtle contrast from the more downcast verses.
The drums lead the way into ‘Sur les Quais;’ a real fragile acoustic moment and one that’s incredibly reflective. The vocals of Audrey Hadorn work beautifully here; her gossamer tones just about cracking through the gloomy clouds of grey, lending a splash of femininity to proceedings. There’s a very natural feel to this album; it is both tender and ethereal and close to the sounds of Alcest or Neun Welten while lacking the harsh black metal guitars that some may be in search of. ‘Effet de Nuit’ does have a harsher sound to it and I really like the shift in key around the middle as it adds a real sense of drama and mystery, especially with the strained guitar sound and the vocal reverb which gives the feel of being alone in the middle of a forest calling out, voice echoing around the trees when the birds begin ca-cawing in response, leading through the stormy ambience of ‘Septembre et ses dernières Pensées.’ It’s a terrible cliché but there is an air of romanticism about this one with the female spoken words in native French; they do say it is the language of love, and this fits in with Teyssier’s desire to portray through his work the feeling of love and his fear of death. It’s mellowed out and unhurried pace sounds truly untainted by the modern plagues of mankind and technology (never mind the fact that without which I wouldn’t be listening to the album on a PC and you would not be reading this!)
The gentle nature of this record doesn’t make it an instant pleasure, though its beauty is slowly and gradually revealed and after repeated listens I must say it’s most enjoyable. Perfect for those lazy Sunday afternoons when you want something mellow to ease the hangover.
http://lesdiscrets.com/
