Keeping her distance from current pop, the singer-songwriter continues to draw most of her musical inspiration from the past. Here, it is the R&B of the 1960s that we feel pulsating behind music with willingly retro sounds, which also borrow from the style of progressive rock and, sometimes, techno.
In short: she lets herself go, visibly following only one guide, her instinct. Which is a very good thing.
Marie-Pierre Arthur is a musician capable of much, if not everything. Above all, she is one of those rare species of beings that music moves through. Literally. We knew this from the first time we saw her on stage, in 2008, when she accompanied herself alone on guitar as the opening act for Ariane Moffatt.
Her musicality and sensitivity were obvious. Her magnetism was palpable. Of course, she still has these assets. Better yet, they have grown.
So here she is, 15 years after her first album, offering songs to grooves multiple, adventurous and intimate at the same time. Marie-Pierre Arthur often shows herself tempted by epic flights, both prog and cosmic, also tinged with ambient electro. We even come across traits of afro-beat on the track The other hemispherewhose main beat is somewhat reminiscent of Makebathe undulating song of Jain.
The whole thing, however, retains a sophisticated pop side, clearly influenced by soul (Mirrorwith Mantisse), where virtuosity is fortunately never complacent. Marie-Pierre Arthur and her musicians manage to be bold while remaining connected to their senses. This album is warm, almost carnal, even if the subject translates moods as blue as its title, so inhabited is it by doubts, disappointments and shadows that lurk.
Where is Marie-Pierre Arthur going with this? Probably not at the top of the charts: this project is a million miles away from the formatted music that dances on the radio waves. Nevertheless, we hope it finds a wide echo, because listening to it is…East a beautiful one wrinkled.
The other hemisphereMarie-Pierre Arthur
Indie rock
Blue album
Marie-Pierre Arthur
Simone Records