Enveloping in its range from soulful brass to plucky strings and spacey synths, “Champs-Élysées” is an expansive success of a single from Nick Marks. The New York-based composer and pianist continues to dazzle with a colorful sound, also apparent on previously featured cuts like “Asymptomatrix” and “Dedication (for Gabi).”
The release takes inspiration from a period when Marks lived Paris, at age 17. The immersion in French culture made a strong impact, and it audibly shows with this ravishing new single, which comes ahead of his forthcoming EP, Cinematic Chromatics Vol. III.
Sporadic bass excitement builds into a climactic array of orchestration, taking turns initially between twinkling keys, plucked strings, and then a brass-y warmness. Particularly expressive brass tones linger with smooth guitar stylings past the first minute, captivating into serene string adornments and jazzy keys. “Champs-Élysées” is another beautifully written and produced success from Nick Marks.
