Romantic and otherworldly as ever,
the new album continues to enchant.
Text: CZARINA | Translation: dilettante
THE AVANT GARDE
Romance runs through Air members Jean-Benoit Dunckel (JB) and Nicolas Godin, in terms of their music and appearance. Starting with ‘Moon Safari’ (1998), Air’s special brand of French electronic music has been making its impact on the contemporary soundscape. The otherworldly romantic vocal resembles an existence floating high up in the air. Not that this is all they are capable of pulling off — also mesmerizing are the avant-garde ‘10 000 Hz Legend’ (2001), rock ‘n’ roll ‘Talkie Walkie’ (2004) and Japanese-sie ‘Pocket Symphony’ (2007).
It is no doubt that Air has been inspiring others too. The much celebrated female director, Sofia Coppola, is one of them (and probably the most high profile).
The band produced the soundtrack for ‘The Virgin Suicides’ as well as tracks for Coppola’s later films; composed for ‘City Reading (Tre Storie Western)’ by Italian writer Alessandro Baricco; contributed to Modern Art Show by French artist Xavier Veilhan; also made a musical appearance in the recent creation ‘Hear, Earth, Heart’ by Chinese artist Yi Zhou. The duo is also the producing force behind Charlotte Gainsbourg’s well- received ‘5:55’ album.
THE CHANGE
‘Do thet Joy’ was offered for free download in July 2009. As part of the new album ‘Love 2’, it seems that the band is entering a dark phase. Experimenting with a new creative direction may be — JB released his solo album ‘Darkel’ in 2006, the new album was also recorded in his personal studio Atlas Studio. Spending most of their last year inside the studio with the input of new drummer Joey Waronker, the results are ‘Do the Joy’, ‘Be a Bee’ and such new creations. With former producer Nigel Godrich now stepping aside, it is vital that the band acts as their own producer too on this new album.
THE ROMANCE
Starting with ‘Do the Joy’, ‘So Light is Her Football’ is inspired by Oscar Wilde and the British spirit; ‘Be a Bee’ is a rare dance tune; ‘Tropical Disease’ is a love letter to Brazil circa. 1960s, complete with jazzy piano instrumental; vocals by JB in ‘Heaven’s Light’ is gentle and dreamy; the first single ‘Sing Sang Sung’ is as adorable as its animation PV. Just the way they are and always have been — the Air fans will not be disappointed.
