Alcest – Les Chants de l’Aurore (Review)

This is the seventh album from French post-black metallers Alcest.

Les Chants de l’Aurore contains 44 minutes of new music from the legendary Alcest. This is a band that many people hold a special place in their heart for, and a new album is a big deal in certain circles. So the question is, have Alcest delivered or disappointed?

For me the answer is a firm yes, but if you prefer their more blackened work, then Les Chants de l’Aurore may take a little more work for you to completely appreciate, (it’s worth the time though, in my humble opinion).

I’m not the biggest fan of shoegaze, and blackgaze can easily leave me cold. Alcest, however, know what they’re doing with this sort of style, (as they should, given they originated it), so I can’t help but be captivated by their immersive worldbuilding. Arising from black metal, giving birth to blackgaze, and embracing shoegaze and post-rock, Alcest have done a lot over the years, and achieved a great deal.

Les Chants de l’Aurore is closest in form and style to 2014’s Shelter, while still having a voice and presence all of its own. Manifesting as a shining amalgamation of its influences and component parts, Les Chants de l’Aurore, is an album of resplendent beauty and radiant atmosphere.

Alcest are one of the few bands that can sound uplifting, hopeful, and bright, and still hold my attention. This is ultimately because there’s a melancholy here too, which allows the music to have the depth of emotion that it does. Overall though, it is rare for a band playing this sort of thing to hit as hard as Alcest do. Les Chants de l’Aurore exemplifies this emotive approach, with a collection of songs that showcases Alcest’s music in a potent, well-rounded light.

The music is a transcendent journey into vibrant melody and textured colour. It’s a rich and sumptuous path that Alcest follow, one that’s heavily atmospheric and often astonishingly beautiful. It’s a warm, relaxed, and calming record; the songs cover a range of feelings, yet all exist within a framework that emphasises emotional weight, distorted peaceful serenity, and a restorative nature that’s absorbing. There is a dreamlike quality to the music that imbues it with an unusual air that’s enthralling.

The vocals are primarily cleanly sung, ethereal, and dripping with emotive depth. Frequently taking a layered approach, they are as affecting as the music itself is. Harsh screams do appear in places. Although not common, these work wonderfully where they appear, delivering a passionate shot of aggressive punctuation that’s invigorating.

Les Chants de l’Aurore is an extremely strong album from a band with an enviable discography. Gorgeously atmospheric, the music is hopeful and positive, yet tinged with just the right amount of sadness to make for music that is potently received.

Essential listening.