Hope Despite Everything
Takaprod, 2024
9/10
Listen to Hope Despite Everything
The French guitarist Gabriel Keller brings us 11 powerful and detailed tracks that embrace the timeless nuances of prog-rock.
“Why?” starts the listen with much emphasis on atmosphere via the soundbites before soft guitar enters and Lucas Bigquet-Mermet’s well timed drums, and “The Letter-Part 1” follows with Emi B’s soaring vocals that suit the thumping and charged climate that balances hard hitting and soft gestures.
Landing in the middle, “The Son” showcases Charlie Henry’s meticulous guitar and Charlotte Gagnor’s backing vocals via the textured bouts, while “Oppression” features Lucia Lacour’s sophisticated violin and Manon Coursol’s expressive pipes for the chugging and radiant album highlight.
Near the end, the pretty dynamics of “Your Way” offers a melodic and harmonic moment of gorgeous singing and rich song craft, and “Mahaut” exits with a sublime intimacy and much grace.
A diverse effort that involves inspiration from legends like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree and Opeth, Keller handles guitars, percussion, bass and backing vocals, and every track present is carefully crafted and timeless in nature.
Travels well with: Long Earth- An Ordinary Life; Age Of Distraction- A Game Of Whispers