Montreal-based duo Oiseau de Proie compel with an atmospheric coldwave prowess across their new EP, Mélopées d’un ciel éteint. More synth-based than their previous releases, the EP excels in its fusing of chilly synth lines, post-punk guitar jangling, and memorable vocal ascents.
The creative partnership of Sovannak Ké and Patricia Jeanson impress thoroughly here. Sovannak notes the EP as being “heavily inspired by occult magick, fantasy and medieval times.” While the nostalgic post-punk tints of coldwave are an apt descriptor at points, the project also incorporates elements of ’60s pop, neo-folk, black metal, and beyond.
A moody immersion takes hold right away with opening track “Paupières salées,” where dark synth swells and jangling post-punk guitar entrancement converge amidst a steadily melodic vocal push. Sporadic additions of an extra vocal suaveness linger in the background, arriving thereafter into a resonating title-touting refrain as the four-minute turn passes.
The ensuing “Règne en maître” stirs with a more glistening intrigue, propelled initially by twinkling keys and dashes of Lynchian-feeling, cinematic synths. The mid-point is especially memorable, with the vocals assuming a near spoken-word briskness as trickling rhythmic ruminations pair with the interplaying synths. Classical guitar likenesses also prove memorable into the final couple minutes.
Another standout, “Pluie froide” weaves the lush sound of rain with gentle guitar tones — crafting an introspective delight in its atmospheric unveiling. Buzzy synths and catchier rhythms arrive alongside haunting vocals past this introduction, maintaining a chilly soundscape and melodic immediacy overall. Mélopées d’un ciel éteint is a stylish success of an EP that enthralls across its six tracks.
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“Règne en maître” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
