The Unseen
Klone
From Bandcamp, “Returning with their 10th full-length album, “The Unseen,” French art-rock band KLONE are pushing their already sumptuous sound to dizzying, magisterial heights. A bold new journey through a singular yet contrasting soundscape, “The Unseen” is an immersive, dreamlike experience that speaks to the significance of things that at first glance seem to lack it. With every member and every instrument pushed to its expressive limit, “The Unseen” has a might and intensity to it that, whilst sometimes abrasive, simultaneously feels natural, coherent, and unified as the band move from motif and melody as one.”
The album has seven songs, and “Interlaced” is first. It comes at you with a slow and steady sound, and I hear some Grunge influence in this song. The melodies are lovely, and the rise of energy in the chorus is rousing. Matthieu’s saxophone solo is also excellent, and it fits in the song perfectly. The title track has smoother and warmer sound, until you reach the chorus, where it gathers strength and pushes a kaleidoscope of colors as well as some darker tones. The subtlety of the power that the album wields is well hidden. “Magnetic” is shorter and brighter, relishing sweet and simple melodies. “I love you world, I love you all” he says, with real feeling and passion. “After the Sun” has a gentle sound with thick bass notes. One of the things that the band does so well in their music is using crescendos at just the right places to extract all the emotion that they can.
“Desire Line” has a sultry swing, and for me, it is like reliving a lazy summer day outside in my youth. I did not do a thing, except enjoy the day and enjoy being alive. “Slow Down” has darker tones and perhaps a deeper meaning. It reminds me of the one thing that I have trouble doing, turning off the noise in my mind. The more I am immersed in this song however, the quieter my mind gets. “Spring” is the lengthy song that closes the album, clocking in at 12 minutes. At first, the ride is smooth and passes without incident, but the skies begin to darken a bit as you approach the half-way mark. Suddenly, the sound drops, and then picks back up with the gentle thud of a heartbeat. From there, it’s an extended instrumental sound that speaks of renewal of your spirit.
To be “unseen” means to live outside of your perception. What strikes me most about the album’s gentle, synergistic sound is how well things are put together and how well the band plays in unison with each other. It seems to lean towards the fringe of your existence, in your dreams and in long passages of contemplation. Although the melodies are not complex, they are at times dark, reminding you of the dualistic nature of life.
9 / 10
Almost Perfect
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"The Unseen" Track-listing:
1. Interlaced
2. The Unseen
3. Magnetic
4. After the Sun
5. Desire Line
6. Slow Down
7. Spring
Klone Lineup:
Guillaume Bernard – Guitars
Matthieu Metzger – Samples, Wind Midi Controller, Keyboards, Saxophones
Yann Ligner – Vocals
Aldrick Guadagnino – Guitars
Enzo Alfano – Bass
Morgan Berthet – Drums
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