Rosie Valland
I kicked-off last year with a "some that got away feature", a quick look back at albums that I hadn't gotten around to reviewing or - to be honest - had totally passed me by. This time around I'd like to think of these posts as more of a featurette on artists and bands that I'm looking forward to hearing (and in some cases, seeing) more of in 2015...
To say that the debut EP from the young Québec singer-songwriter Rosie Valland is incredibly atmospheric would be a bit of an understatement; across the 4-songs showcased here she masterfully creates an intense and mesmerising series of monochromatic landscapes.
"Mon parfum" is arguably the most intense of the quartet; dark and melancholy, plaintive cello and imploring vocals heighten the mood of unease. I've often remarked that I like opening tracks that make a statement and with this song Rosie certainly ensures a lasting impression.
The sentiment of the EP's opening song feels very personal and the two folk-tinged numbers "Apprendre à tomber" and the "Demande-moi pas" continue in this similar autobiographical vein. Rosie's captivating vocals and haunting cello heighten the mood of the former; the latter is lifted by the most gorgeous chorus and refrain.
"Mets des pierres" is arguably the most straight-forward pop-song of the four; in keeping with the overall tone the song has a definite melancholy feel, the arrangement - subtle reverbed guitar, synth and percussion - all wedded to yet another tuneful refrain - reminds me of the effortless style of Tracy Thorn's "A Distant Shore."
This cover artwork - American soldiers recovering looted artwork - is a nod to the French resistance fighter and Rosie's namesake Rose Valland, who towards the end of the Second World War helped save many of the paintings that Hitler had ordered destroyed. (Apparently Cate Blanchett's character, Claire Simone, in Hollywood's reinvention of history that is "The Monuments Men", is based on her.)
The EP - expertly produced by Montréal artist Jesse Mac Cormack - conveniently serves as a taster for Rosie's debut album, due later this year.
Rosie Valland - not so much an artist whom I missed first time around - more one that I eagerly await to hear more of...
Rosie Valland (Bandcamp)
To say that the debut EP from the young Québec singer-songwriter Rosie Valland is incredibly atmospheric would be a bit of an understatement; across the 4-songs showcased here she masterfully creates an intense and mesmerising series of monochromatic landscapes.
"Mon parfum" is arguably the most intense of the quartet; dark and melancholy, plaintive cello and imploring vocals heighten the mood of unease. I've often remarked that I like opening tracks that make a statement and with this song Rosie certainly ensures a lasting impression.
The sentiment of the EP's opening song feels very personal and the two folk-tinged numbers "Apprendre à tomber" and the "Demande-moi pas" continue in this similar autobiographical vein. Rosie's captivating vocals and haunting cello heighten the mood of the former; the latter is lifted by the most gorgeous chorus and refrain.
"Mets des pierres" is arguably the most straight-forward pop-song of the four; in keeping with the overall tone the song has a definite melancholy feel, the arrangement - subtle reverbed guitar, synth and percussion - all wedded to yet another tuneful refrain - reminds me of the effortless style of Tracy Thorn's "A Distant Shore."
This cover artwork - American soldiers recovering looted artwork - is a nod to the French resistance fighter and Rosie's namesake Rose Valland, who towards the end of the Second World War helped save many of the paintings that Hitler had ordered destroyed. (Apparently Cate Blanchett's character, Claire Simone, in Hollywood's reinvention of history that is "The Monuments Men", is based on her.)
The EP - expertly produced by Montréal artist Jesse Mac Cormack - conveniently serves as a taster for Rosie's debut album, due later this year.
Rosie Valland - not so much an artist whom I missed first time around - more one that I eagerly await to hear more of...
Rosie Valland (Bandcamp)
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