“Ravages” is a debut full-length release by Les Fantômes du jour, an outstanding French quartet. Still, don’t let this information fool you. These folks are experienced songwriters and musicians who know how to write, compose, arrange, record, and produce superb post-rock tracks. However, post-rock is not the only weapon in their sleeve. Quite the contrary, you’ll stumble upon many sonic ingredients borrowed from many different but complementary music genres like post-metal, post-hardcore, post-prog, progressive metal, progressive rock, math rock, alternative, etc. With an arsenal like this, you can expect nothing but brilliant ideas distilled into an impressive musicianship. They use all these additional elements as more than necessary enhancements, accentuations, decorations, and other details that uplift their compositions on an entirely new level, while they more or less remain loyal to the primary sonic direction. Therefore, these dabblings with many different but complementary music genres resulted in a magnificent display of their skills and talents.
As soon as you press play, you’ll notice that Les Fantômes du jour are not joking around with their music. Maybe their music might sound like an easy-listening experience, but those profoundly into all those genres will notice many layers of cleverly assembled, flawlessly performed, and superbly recorded instrumentations. These guys showcase all their abilities through astounding vocal, sonic, and rhythmic performances that could pair with even those renowned names in the genre. The best part about them is the fact you cannot pinpoint their ideas and sound to any other band. Even classifying their music into a singular genre would be a mistake, thanks to all the levitations from one style to another. These details make their music so fresh, unique, innovative, and enjoyable, making Les Fantômes du jour one of those modern post-rock bands who know how to entertain listening apparatus to the max. Of course, all those musicians into writing, composing, and performing music will probably agree that’s a difficult task to achieve, especially nowadays when excellent bands are popping from all the possible sides and corners. Les Fantômes du jour nailed that achievement to the max, thanks to all those ideas and orchestrations stacked in every song.
Every member plays a significant role in this sonic equation. You’ll notice how the impressive vocalist delivers cleverly constructed vocal harmonies, emphasizing all the segments and instrumentation. His outstanding balance between low, mid, and high notes commands attention and guides listeners from scratch to finish. In the meantime, guitars act as a backbone that immensely supports all those vocal articulations. The interplay between rhythm and lead will immediately enchant your ears. You’ll hear how the tastefully constructed chord progressions and riffs resonate on one side, while the other shines with excellent leads, themes, melodies, harmonies, and other sonic delicacies. Of course, the band thought about the rhythm section, so you’ll hear how equally intricate, vividly hearable, warm-sounding basslines roar right beneath all those luxurious guitar layers, providing more than necessary heaviness, clarity, and depth. The masterful drummer dictates groove and tempo with unpredictable, well-accentuated beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics. Each member plays a vital role here, as they together construct one of the best post-rock releases this year. “Ravages” is a must-listen if you’re into thoughtfully written and composed post-rock music. It’s one of those albums that contains so many impressive moments and marvelous orchestrations worth repeating so many times. The album is available directly from the band. Head to their Bandcamp page for more information about ordering.
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