Nocturne Impalpable

text

Sylvain Chauveau is one half of two duos, ambient rockers (a contradiction in terms?) Micro:Mego and Arca, whose electronica draws heavily on a broad range of sound sources. 'Nocturne Impalpable' is his second solo album. The present reviewer has not heard the first, 'Le livre noir du capitalisme' (Noise Museum) and therefore cannot characterize his style of composition as having evolved or changed since then. Be that as it may, on this album we find Chauveau in a Holy Minimalist kind of mood, creating twenty pieces swelling with piano, cello, viola and small, unobtrusive electronic interventions and samplings. And silences; some of the tracks are actually named "-----" and allow for moments of quiet reflection. Debussy and Satie are obvious points of reference, but Chauveau manages quite nicely on his own without imitating. The result is staid but beautiful. A gentle work that is suitable for nocturnal listening, indeed, but also provides round the clock enjoyment.

responses