Surprise Barbue, duo piece of Kevin Valentin and Benjamin Moutte. Ode for synthesizers. Robots with a chlorophyll taste wearing neon pink wigs. They illustrate shaded cinematic frames.
They paint misty asteroid vignettes as a tapestry.
Cosmic patches, raw textures, arpeggiators either hypnotic or sharp. The character of each keyboards is expressed in a precise and careful mix, flowing into a synthetic stream in fluorescent hues.
With Kabukichō, their debut LP for Zamzamrec, the composition was based around the creation of mini landscapes with cosmic and mythological atmospheres. The sounds evoke Sci-fi universes, psychedelic ambiances as well as early music and repetitive music, not to mention the allusions to the pioneers of electronic music. Each influence takes place in the different scenes of the same story.
Like their first EP Super Barbu, released on cassette in 2019 (ZZ56), the recording creates a unique contemplative experience. Ascending phases and striking chords, frenzied and uplifting sections, for a both rhythmical and meditative effect. While the «live» matter and experiments are remodelled and transcended. The sound becomes denser, more melodic and more balanced. The whole album is shaping by the coherence of a narrative work.
Concept album, astral travel, hallucinatory and luminous. We enter Kabukichō, as we enter in a Philip K. Dick novel : altered state of consciousness, parallel universes and Suddenly the void...