Here we have the second album from Lyon-based guitarist Gabriel Keller, who happily moves through genres of folk, rock, prog and even some metal, combining with the wonderful vocals of Emilie Béroule (Emi B), who sings lead on most of these songs, to create an album which is often bright and enjoyable even if the subject matter is not always so. It denounces the absurdity and horrors of war with the despair of a mother terrified by news from her son at the front (“The Letter Part 1” and “The Letter Part 2”) which are separated by “The Guns Are Approaching” where he shares his torments, describing how the war is turning him into a killer.
It never ceases to amaze me, even after more than 35 years of writing, that an artist can appear before my ears fully formed and with a professionalism and class which deserves far more notice from the musical world than is currently the state. There is something about this release which typifies that, whether it is the slightly distorted guitar solo here, the change in tone there, the subtleness of the layers, or the intensity of the vocals. At times there is a real Floydian influence, with some lovely Gilmour touches but at others it is more Hackett, with delicacy and passion. In Béroule he has found a singer who adds beauty to everything she touches and is seemingly very happy indeed to perform whatever style is being thrown at her, providing a swing and style all her own. The combination of the two, along with the rest of those involved, have made for a very modern and totally enthralling release which will be enjoyed by anyone into crossover prog which sometimes moves into other areas.
