Loading cart
Watching Worlds Collide
The second album from Aurélien Goude has finally arrived and it finds him in moving in a slightly different direction. There are still strong elements of Steven Wilson's solo works (actually very strong)and the music still has a cinematic feel. Some jazz elements creep in but that isn't to say that this is a jazz album - not at all. Its a symphonic rock album that requires your attention as it unfolds. For a kat who has only released his second album he's showing quite a bit of maturity as he carves out his own space. To his credit Esthesis is an actual band that goes out and plays live. "The Awakening" kicked my ass hard and Auréien has done it again with "Watching Worlds Collide". Late night listening music essential. BUY OR DIE!
"At the end of 2020 we became acquainted with the new French band Esthesis. The formation around the very talented Aurélien Goude was responsible for one of the best debut albums of that year with “ The Awakening ”. The music on the album was very atmospheric with beautiful long intros and wonderful instrumental eruptions. The album was also a hit here. In the week after my review, Aurélien Goude emailed me that he had received a huge batch of orders from the Netherlands.
It has become common sense by now, but releasing a second album is much more exciting than a first. In a second you discover whether the debut was not a fluke and which direction is chosen. The special thing about “Watching Worlds Collide” is that this is certainly not a repetition of moves. In fact, the steering wheel has been given quite a tug. But that does lead to, once again, a great album.
You really shouldn't compare this album with the previous one. This is simply chapter 2 in the Esthesis oeuvre, a chapter that leaves you wanting more. Yes. The whole thing sounds remarkably fresh. The atmosphere has remained, but it is a lot less fraught. The addition of some more jazz influences is a great fit. The songs are a bit shorter and on the whole the music sounds a lot more direct.
The rhythm section is mouth watering. New drummer Arnaud Nicolau brings a certain freshness that works very well. Together with the catchy bass parts of Marc Anguill they form a great tandem. Just listen to the opening piece of Vertigo and you'll know what I mean. This instrumental piece is a treat for the ears anyway. It has a wonderful drive, nice 70's keyboard playing, good guitar work and horns!
The addition of (real) trumpet, saxophone and trombone on five tracks is a golden opportunity. It gives the music an adventurous character. Opener Amber is immediately a pearl. It contains some beautiful tempo changes, nice keyboard walls and a lovely guitar solo. The driving, somewhat jazzy drive comes into its own here. The pleasant singing voice of Aurélien Goude also comes into its own in this style. Wandering Cloud pops out through a delightful wall of blazers popping up halfway through. Pretty daring, but it turns out great. At Skimming Stonesit is the violin solo that gives me goosebumps. On the deluxe limited edition, this song has been added as an extra bonus track, with the violin solo being replaced by a screeching guitar solo. Very cool, but good that he put the violin version on the original.
Aurélien Goude is a brilliant musician. He composes all the music. If you can make two albums with such strong music, which are also quite different, then you are a big one. He fits in with his contemporaries with Luca Zabinni (Barock Project), Philipp Nespital (Smalltape) and Bjorn Riis (Airbag). We will be hearing and enjoying this a lot more." - PROGWERELD