POSTS TAGGED : Melody’s Echo Chamber

Melody’s Echo Chamber Announces New Album; Shares ‘Breathe In, Breathe Out’

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Melody’s Echo Chamber aka Melody Prochet has announced that her long-awaited second album, follow up to her sublime, self-titled 2012 debut, will be released in June.

The first sampling of the new material is ‘Breathe In, Breathe Out’, and it all that we would have hoped for and some. Losing none of it’s predecessors preference for dreamy and psychedelic sounds, ‘Breathe In, Breathe Out’ is an imaginative and colourful psychedelic pop song with layers of shimmering synth, frazzled electronics, fuzzed-up guitar and gritty bass tones. Echoing much of Prochet’s previous work, it is a song as joyous as a summery breeze as her recognisable soft but euphoric vocals flutter above the glittering floods of surging psychedelia which veer off into a cascading mesh of experimental, spaced-out sounds. A tremendous return which lives up to all that came before while promising much, much more.

‘Breathe In, Breathe Out’ comes with an animated video from Daniel Foothead. Watch and listen below.

New album Bon Voyage will be released on June 15 via Domino / Fat Possum Records.

Melody’s Echo Chamber Shares Previously Unreleased Tracks

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                                                                                                                                                                                                    Photo: Diane Sagnier

Unfortunately haven’t heard from Melody’s Echo Chamber in a while, far too long in fact. It has been four long years since Paris’ Melody Prochet endeared herself to the world with her sublime debut LP. Sadly since then, all we’ve had in the way of new material is dreamy 2014 single ‘Shirim‘.

Last week however, Ms. Prochet kindly uploaded four previously unreleased Melody’s Echo Chamber demos to SoundCloud, and judging by the tags, they would seem to have been recorded in 2013 with, and feature Tame Impala‘s Kevin Parker. The pick of the bunch are ‘Pêcheuse De Lune’ and ‘From Pink They Fell Into Blue’, which like her debut, maintain those hazy, psychedelic vibes. At times everything is covered with a lovely blanket of reverb and fuzz, with only Prochet’s honeyed, inviting vocals cutting through the haze. Shimmering psychedelic dream-pop of the finest variety, that finds the sweet spot between between the two, perfectly. Nice as it is to hear these tracks, hopefully we get a new Melody’s Echo Chamber record in the not so distant future. Here’s hoping anyway.

You can enjoy ‘Pêcheuse De Lune’ & ‘From Pink They Fell Into Blue’ below now or head over here, for all four.

Melody’s Echo Chamber – ‘Shirim’

 

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French pop singer Melody Prochet, aka Melody’s Echo Chamber, is currently working on a follow-up to her sublime self-titled 2012 debut LP.

Where her debut album was made with Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, the as-yet-untitled new album which will be out later this year, will be self-released and written and recorded by Prochet on her own. Ahead of the new album we’ve been treated to a new(ish) single in the shape of ‘Shirim’. Released late last year, ‘Shirim’ retains those hazy, psychedelic aesthetics of her debut while embracing a slightly more pop sound with some glittery textures mingling with fuzzy bass and funky riffs as Prochet’s light, inviting vocals are sublime as ever. With her debut LP Prochet struck a perfect balance between pop and the psychedelic, on the evidence of ‘Shirim’ at least, she would appear to be destined to repeat the trick once more.

There’s no date or title as yet for the second record but for now there’s ‘Shirim’. Stream it below.

(Video) Moodoïd – ‘Je suis la Montagne’

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Moodoïd is the solo project of Parisian multi-instrumentalist Pablo Padovani from Melody’s Echo Chamber and  ‘Je suis la Montagne’ is the first single to emerge from the project. 

‘Je suis la Montagne’ or ‘I am The Mountain’ in English, bares a certain similarity to his day job with Melody’s Echo Chamber. It’s hardly surprising given his role in the band, and it’s mixed by Kevin Parker from Tame Impala, who producer MEC’s debut record last year. Padovani’s psychedelic terrain is one of exhilarating experimentation, as ‘Je suis la Montagne’ wanders through a blissed-out and warped plain of swirling guitar-pop, limber harmonies and an insatiable laid-back bass groove. It’s a rather stunning debut track, hopefully there’s much more to follow this early promise.

‘Je suis la Montagne’ is taken from Moodoïd’s forthcoming debut EP, released September 2nd via French label Les Disques Enterprise. Have a wee peek at it up above.

(Video) Melody’s Echo Chamber – ‘Crystallized’

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Melody’s Echo Chamber‘s self-titled debut (of Melody Prochet & produced by Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker) released last year, proved rather special and is still on rotation around these parts.  

Hardy a surprise then, that any excuse to share this infatuation is grabbed with both hands. Say hello to ‘Crystallized’, the latest single and arguably, the standout track from the Parisian’s debut album. ‘Crystallized’ is beguiling example of Prochet’s flair for dreamy pop being pushed into more experimental, spaced-out zones of bleary psych. Prochet’s light, inviting vocals float above a blanket of reverb and fuzz as the track meanders for a full two and a half minutes, until the breakdown that is. Enter the frazzled electronics and full on fuzz rock.

Yet another superb single from an equally stunning debut. I really hope Melody’s Echo Chamber make an appearance on our shores this year. 

Melody’s Echo Chamber – ‘Je Me Perds de Vue’

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Melody’s Echo Chamber has announced the release of ‘Crystallized’, the next single to be taken from Parisian Melody Prochet’s eponymous debut album.

Released late last year, my infatuation with Melody’s Echo Chamber is well documented, so it’s no real surprise to find I’m gleefully lapping up news of a solitary new track, b-side ‘Je Me Perds de Vue’. Originally appearing reversed and warped on the aforementioned debut as the spiraling  instrumental ‘IsThatWhatYouSaid.’ Now stripped to its former glory, Prochet’s vocal remains exquisitely beautiful as ‘Je Me Perds de Vue’ reveals itself as another lush ear-worm, psych tinged tune.

‘Crystallized’ along with ‘Je Me Perds de Vue’ is released on the 18th of March. Also, someone please bring  Melody’s Echo Chamber to Ireland.  Thank you.

BarryGruff’s Albums of the Year 2012

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So, yeah, this is pretty self-explanatory. It’s end of year list time and every website, blog and magazine are busy compiling them. So not to be left out, here are my favourite 25 albums from 2012. Feel free to leave your few cents worth in the comments section, if you  feel the need that is.

25. Dark Horses – ‘Black Music’

24. The Egg – Something To Do’

23. Attaque – ‘When Light Falls’

22. Stealing Sheep – ‘Into The Diamond Sun’

21. Gaz Coombes Presents – ‘Here Come The Bombs’

20. Session Victim – ‘The Haunted House of House’

19. Ghost Estates – ‘Ghost Estates’

18. Cian Ciaran – ‘Outside In’

17. Graham Coxon – ‘A+E’

16. The Futureheads – ‘Rant’

15. Mystery Jets – ‘Radlands’

Radlands saw Mystery Jets rediscover their sparkle following the mediocre Serotonin. Decamping to Texas to record the album, it sees them embrace a whole series of sweet Americana sounds. They haven’t lost sight of what made them such a great band in the first place; a blitz of wonderful indie, quirky eccentricity and a supreme ability to produce perfect pop songs. A thoroughly enjoyable and likeable record.

14. Eugene McGuinness – ‘Invitation To The Voyage’

Eugene McGuinness‘ second album Invitation To The Voyage was one of the more enjoyable of 2012. Nothing startling or groundbreaking but an enjoyable blend of quirky, left-of-centre indie with a glossy pop sheen. With bursts of brass, surf/’60s pop guitar, clever lyrical wordplay and a confident swagger; McGuinness found a perfect balance between catchy pop and exhilarating indie.

13. Cloud Nothings – ‘Attack On Memory’

Attack On Memory is a heavyweight and rather muscular record. A short, sharp shock to the system, a proverbial kick in the bollocks if you like, taking in post-rock, indie, post-punk and pure unadulterated noise. Interspersed with bursts of scuzzy powerful indie we are exposed to a barreling barrage of loud, pounding drums, raw guitars and a Dylan Baldi sounding like a young Jake Burns. It is in no way subtle, a terrific album nonetheless.

12. Nathan Conway & The River Valley Band – Nathan Conway & The River Valley Band

Nathan Conway & The River Valley Band certainly borrow from the past to create a timeless soulful country sound, and have found their niche. The tone is soulful country, set to overarching themes of demise and redemption, draped in Conway’s intuitive storytelling which paints vivid pictures with his words. Mostly you feel they are working together, from the swinging uptempo tracks to the less blustery, slower numbers. They have a rapport with one another; brass, percussion strings and Conway’s deep bellowed croon, all work in perfect tandem. Sonny Boy requires a degree of patience, but it is worth it. A beautiful, timeless and assured album.

11. Tennis – ‘Young and Old’

Young & Old is Denver-based husband-and-wife duo, Tennis’, second LP. The album is swathed in soothing ’60s sounds, syrupy melodies and smart, soulful pop songs with captivating, richly melodic purr of singer Alaina Moore’s stunning voice at the fore. There is a very real retro vibe, yet not at one time does it feel old, stale or tired. It is bright, breezy, charming and uncomplicated, most importantly, it is damn fine record.

10. By The Sea – ‘By The Sea’

The banks of the Mersey has given rise to many great bands over the years, the latest to emerge from the production line are  By The Sea. Their self-titled debut album, produced by Bill Ryder Jones, hints at this Scouse heritage but this six-piece are very much their own band, with their own sound. The song titles like ‘Dream Waters’, ‘A Sail Floats and ‘Waltz Away’ set the tone, the album offers an elegant blend of dreamy, psychedelic and pastoral jams, this is music to get lost in. Liam Power’s voice, which has an uncanny resemblance to Shack’s Mick Head proves soothing and stirring as they waft across a hazy canvas of breezy, washed-out sounds.

09.The Heavy – ‘The Glorious Dead’

Wandering a retro path in the modern world can be tricky, there is little room for error. ‘Soul Rock’ is a minefield in itself. The Heavy have proven with two previous albums, while they do wear their influences on their sleeves, they make damn fine records. The Glorious Dead continues this trend. Meshing a clutch of hip hop breakbeats, slices of ’60s R&B, horns, riffs, zombie movie snippets, and soulful vocals into quality soulful, funk rock, of the highest order. What makes it so good? The wonderful execution, and it is oh so much fun, sometimes that really is quite enough.

08. Melody’s Echo Chamber – ‘Melody’s Echo Chamber’

Melody’s Echo Chamber is Parisian mullti-instrumentalist Melody Prochet. Teaming up with Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker on production, her self-titled debut pushes her flair for dreamy pop into more experimental, spaced-out zones of hazy psych-pop. The album has Parker’s stamp all over it. Prochet’s light, inviting vocals are cast into a shifting series of settings, with beguiling results. At times everything is covered with a heavy blanket of reverb and fuzz, while others are a gentle whirlpool of shimmering psychedelic dream-pop. It is the combination of Parker’s inspired production and Prochet’s evocative voice which strike a perfect balance between pop and the psychedelic. A rather inspired and stunning debut.

07. Conor Mason – ‘Standstill’

Standstill continues where 2009’s When It’s Over left off, flowing gently by, amid a sea of soft lilting vocals, whispering lyrical poeticisms and subtle instrumentation. It is permeated by an air of richness, comforting tranquillity and shrouded in melancholy. Standstill is a slow burner and requires patience, understanding and repeated listens to be fully appreciated. Standstill is a beautiful, simplistic and assured album and sometimes that is quite enough.

06. Richard Hawley – ‘Standing at the Sky’s Edge’

The seventh studio album from Richard Hawley saw an interesting change of direction toward hazy psychedelia, something Hawley proves masterful at it. With only one track clocking in under five minutes, the songs are suffused with snarling, meandering guitars solos and Hawley’s distinctive vocals. The title track is a masterpiece telling tales of a man who kills his wife and kids, a hard-up prostitute who ends up in jail and a young man involved in inner city violence respectively. It’s the rockier material here that really stands out, like the excellent ‘Before’ and ‘Down in the Woods’. The latter is a real rocker with a venomous Hawley sounding not unlike Mark Lanegan. There are moments of real beauty here too, one wonders where Hawley will go next but it will certainly be interesting to find out. (Words edited from Johnny Feeney | Because I’m lazy)

05. Miaoux Miaoux – ‘Light of the North’

Light of the North is the debut record proper from 26-year-old Glasgow based producer, Miaoux Miaoux. Fluid and uplifting, these sounds evoke moods a million miles from dreary rain soaked city of its birth as he hops from genre to genre. It is a stunning record which delicately pieces together beats, electronics, synths and acoustic guitars, with his pristine vocals gliding through a heavenly mist of lush harmonies, melodies, beats and electronics. One for fans of Caribou, Hot Chip and Jape. An irresistible debut record, a bright future lies ahead.

04. The 2 Bears – ‘Be Strong’

The 2 Bears debut LP, Be Strong is a scatter shot across the entire scope of electronic music which feels like foraging through a fine record collection. It is a cheery, cheeky and joyous amalgam of sounds and a massive injection of positivity amidst a time of dreariness and uncertainty. It is a worthy ode to the past two decades of dance music, a fine soundtrack to any weekend and most importantly, a bloody excellent dance record.

03. Sam Willis – ‘Winterval’

Winterval is the debut solo album from Sam Willis, one half of London-based Walls. Taking a host of house, techno, minimal and Balearic influences, Willis assimilates these familiar traits into otherworldly electronic music that gracefully hovers in an ambiguous hinterland, between subtly euphoric and vaguely ambient. Chiming notes resonate through every track and the beats are delivered with pin point accuracy. Willis has mixed the warm sounds with a crisp frosty elegance, creating a hypnotic, comforting sound collage. It is no way an exaggeration to say Winterval is one of the most aesthetically complete electronic albums for quite some time.

02. Tame Impala – ‘Lonerism’

Where to begin with this one? Lonerism is a simply brilliant album. Their 2010 debut Innerspeaker set the standard for warped retro, yet futurist psychedelia. The follow-up is leaner, more confident as it sprawls into further exploratory psychedelic territories. It kind of goes everywhere while remaining fluid and cohesive throughout. From the rocking stomp of ‘Elephant’, to dazzling epics of ‘Apocalypse Dreams’ or Lennon/McCartney-esque ‘Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’, Lonerism remains cohesive. It is an album which increasingly fascinates with every listen. Give it the time it deserves, it’s guaranteed not to disappoint. Truly stunning!

01. Django Django – ‘Django Django’

While Django Django’s debut album contains undeniable similarities with The Beta Band, they have far from copied or imitated. Part of the appeal is an ability to seamlessly blend genres and sounds from a melting pot of influences into a striking blend of understated indie, with an electro groove at its heart. Anchored by alluring harmonies and an undeniable groove which permeates the very core of this record, this is indie music to dance to. An inspired and wholly irresistible debut, and my album of 2012. Thank you!

Introducing: Melody’s Echo Chamber

Melody’s Echo Chamber is the solo project of Parisian artist Melody Prochet, formerly of The Narcoleptic Dancers who, has teamed up with Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker. That connection, it must be said, is fairly obvious when you hear the songs.

Melody pushes her flair for dreamy pop and lush harmonies into more experimental, spaced-out zones of hazy psych-pop. Sun-drenched syrupy sweet melodies and meandering guitars combine to create fuzzy, joy-filled songs which in turn veer off into a hazy  psychedelic swirl. Numbers like ‘Crystallized’, ‘I Follow You’ & ‘Endless Shore’ wash over you with ease, evoking something of a dream-like state.

All in all this is simply marvelous stuff and waiting till the self-titled debut is released on November 5th will be a tough job.

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