Fire Architecture
Dead Bees, Jarane and Araki, 2024
9/10
The brainchild of the French singer Camille W, as Helluvah these 10 songs run the gamut of rock, pop and electro tinted song craft that makes an immediate and lasting impression.
“Best Auspices” starts the listen with a low buzzing amid expressive singing, where a soulful quality enters alongside agile drumming, and “La nuit ámericaine” follows with dense bass throbbing and dark melodies that swirl with a post-punk flavor.
“First Time” arrives in the middle, and allows for Camille’s distinct pipes to flow in the rich and indie-rock spirited climate, while “Somewhere uncertain” is a bit more upbeat, as an infectious energy from the rhythm section unfolds with harmonic gestures, too.
Close to the end, “The River” is not without some pop stabs, but with a keen attention to mood that may bring to mind Siouxsie Sioux, which is certainly high praise, and “Celebrate” exits with a slight jangle which carries a mesmerizing spirit of both raw and tuneful song craft that’s equal parts scrappy and rhythmic.
A very diverse and inviting listen that will appeal to fans of indie, alt-rock and electro-pop, BobX’s contributions to the music help cultivate a breezy, textured and sometimes ominous effort that you can listen to repeatedly with new intrigue.
Travels well with: Princess Thailand- Golden Frames; Baby Fire- A Year Of Grace