or (feat. Melaine Dalibert) by Sylvain Chauveau - flau [FLAU84B]

or (feat. Melaine Dalibert)

Sylvain Chauveau

A 1 track neo classical single (1m 26s) — released March 23rd 2020 on flau

#classical #neo-classical

French composer Sylvain Chauveau's new album 'Life Without Machines', a set of short compositions using Barnett Newman's series of abstract painting The Stations of the Cross as visual scores, is set for release on 17th April 2020 through Japanese label FLAU.

Known for very minimal compositions for acoustic instruments, electronics and sometimes vocals, with a focus on quietness and slowness; Sylvain has released records on labels such as FatCat, Sub Rosa, Type, Les Disques du Soleil et de l'Acier, Brocoli and performed live across Europe, Canada and USA, Russia and Asia.

The title of his new album, 'Life Without Machines', expresses the fact that our lives are entirely assisted by machines (for everything we eat, wear, transport, build, watch, listen...) which require a permanent, colossal use of energy - mostly fossil fuels, whose combustion constantly sends CO₂ to the atmosphere. The title suggests that this can't last forever: living with less (and finally without) machines may have to become a collective decision in the future or (more probably) a consequence of a combination of crisis (both energetic, economical and ecological).

Composed by Sylvain and performed by french pianist Melaine Dalibert, there are a total of 15 pieces, yet only 14 will appear on the tracklist (one hidden track is hearable after a period of silence at the end of track 14). This mirrors the stone garden of Ryoanji in Kyoto, where there are 15 stones but from any point of view one can only see a maximum of 14 at the same time.

For the album's liner notes, American poet and critic Kenneth Goldsmith (UbuWeb) has penned Five Thoughts Inspired by Life Without Machines:

Toe-dipping in the paradigms of rock & pop music while being further removed from genre norms - Pitchfork

His music is sparing, unassuming and accordingly effective - Wire

Eliminating any sound deemed unnecessary to convey the essential emotion - The Washington Post

One of the most brilliant minds of french music - Les Inrocks

Interleaved with subtle electronics, these impressionistic tracks are nothing short of beautiful - Mojo

Reflective, peaceful, each note contemplated with care, each chord tied just so. Fragments of melody articulated as musical thoughts - BBC online

The effect is mesmerizing - All Music Guide

Truly beautiful and deep - Boomkat

His rainy chamber music makes a beautiful, meditative record - Libération

Chauveau’s musical signature has its own character, and the range of his work is certainly impressive - The Life Of Best Fit

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