Melody Prochet's Fourth Album Offers Enchanted Escapism with 'Unclouded'
In her latest offering, Melody Prochet, aka Melody's Echo Chamber, has once again curated an all-star ensemble of collaborators to aid in the creation of a dreamy, sun-kissed soundscape. The result is Unclouded, a 2023 album that finds the French musician trading in darker introspection for a more optimistic, expansive vision.
Prochet's partnership with Swedish psychedelic rock band Dungen has proven fruitful in the past, and this time around, it's the addition of composer Sven Wunder and other notable contributors like Josefin Runsteen (opulent strings) and DJ Shadow collaborator Malcolm Catto that further enriches Unclouded's sonic tapestry. The end result is an album that veers seamlessly between lush, baroque dreampop and more straightforward 90s-inspired pop, with nods to the likes of Saint Etienne and Lush.
While some tracks do feel a tad generic, Unclouded's greatest strength lies in its ability to transport listeners to a serene, idyllic realm – much like a meticulously tended Japanese garden. The album's atmosphere is light and airy, with intricate textures that evoke the feeling of stepping into a hidden garden on a warm summer day.
That said, not every track can be considered a standout. Into Shadows' brisker pace serves as a welcome respite from Unclouded's otherwise dreamy reverie, while Memory's Underground brings another gentle tempo shift and Beatles-esque strings. The album's brevity might also be seen as a drawback, with few tracks truly standing out in the grand scheme.
Still, Unclouded is an invitation to enter Melody Prochet's enchanted world – one that promises solace, comfort, and a welcome escape from life's complexities.
In her latest offering, Melody Prochet, aka Melody's Echo Chamber, has once again curated an all-star ensemble of collaborators to aid in the creation of a dreamy, sun-kissed soundscape. The result is Unclouded, a 2023 album that finds the French musician trading in darker introspection for a more optimistic, expansive vision.
Prochet's partnership with Swedish psychedelic rock band Dungen has proven fruitful in the past, and this time around, it's the addition of composer Sven Wunder and other notable contributors like Josefin Runsteen (opulent strings) and DJ Shadow collaborator Malcolm Catto that further enriches Unclouded's sonic tapestry. The end result is an album that veers seamlessly between lush, baroque dreampop and more straightforward 90s-inspired pop, with nods to the likes of Saint Etienne and Lush.
While some tracks do feel a tad generic, Unclouded's greatest strength lies in its ability to transport listeners to a serene, idyllic realm – much like a meticulously tended Japanese garden. The album's atmosphere is light and airy, with intricate textures that evoke the feeling of stepping into a hidden garden on a warm summer day.
That said, not every track can be considered a standout. Into Shadows' brisker pace serves as a welcome respite from Unclouded's otherwise dreamy reverie, while Memory's Underground brings another gentle tempo shift and Beatles-esque strings. The album's brevity might also be seen as a drawback, with few tracks truly standing out in the grand scheme.
Still, Unclouded is an invitation to enter Melody Prochet's enchanted world – one that promises solace, comfort, and a welcome escape from life's complexities.