The Tunnel and the Clearing is pure sonic bliss but more importantly it's an intimately captured point in time. French electronic composer and singer Cécile Schott's compositions are deeply stunning, dizzying, and emotionally stirring.
French electronic composer and singer Cécile Schott, who goes by Colleen on her records, has been going strong for many years (since the early 2000's) providing blends of ambient, acoustics, and dreamily hushed vocals. Similar to that of Kelly Lee Owens or Julianna Barwick or Grouper (or even Romy from The xx). I became familiar with her music from her last album A flame, my love, a frequency back in 2017 via Thrill Jockey records. Playing on Moog synthesizers and other vintage instruments, she seems to be doing a lot with very little. She takes the listener in a universe that is entirely built on her own, which can be dizzying and hypnotic with her combination of synths, drum machine patterns, and very quietly sung vocals. All in all it's a unique combination of ambient electronica that will go down your ears smoothly like a cup of your favorite sleepytime tea. Please don't actually pour hot liquid down your ear canals! It's only a comparison!
Her latest project The Tunnel and the Clearing seems to be a continuation of these electronic styles. The tone is set as a darker, moodier sound (hence the shadowy album art). The album features very simplistic vintage synths and electronics but are performed in a complex way that's enriched with detail and immersion. The album's singles definitely invites the listener in to what the whole album is about. This record recommends you to take it all in at once, to listen to from start to finish in one sitting. It's an easy listen clocking in at 37 minutes and 7 tracks. It's easy in duration though but I could see these obtusely weird instrumentals that don't always go in a pop format to be difficult for some listeners. Not for me though. I find the songs especially on singles like "Implosion-Explosion" and "Gazing at Taurus - Santa Eulalia" to be immediately riveting with their gorgeous melodies, keys, and vocals.
The album's flow is impeccable and is one of the album's greatest qualities. The sound throughout the record is light, airy, delicate. Its lightness though is deceiving while its compositions are deeply stunning, dizzying, and emotionally stirring. "Implosion-Explosion" is the album's best track and features the catchiest hook on the record (if you could even call it catchy), but it has the most moving progression of any track on here. The shift to the bass-heavy breakdown in the middle is fantastic. This album is pure ear candy with its tasteful production, crystal clear sound, and refreshing mix of vintage instrumentals. It sounds like I'm listening to a dark, stormy soundtrack to a witch's tale of using spell books and charms to create a ghostly language across the globe. It's light and fun yet sinister and dark at the same time. It's very hard to describe.
The quality of sonic consistency, usage of similar sounds and instruments, and easy flow within each track will make you either love it or not... depending on the listener. For me if an album goes in this consistent nonstop direction and does it very well then it's not a problem for me. Many may find these songs sounding the same from one another. I see that too but it's not a problem in this case at all. This album plays out in such a dreamlike, story driven experience. There are parts, chapters that are played out cohesively and provide areas of highs and lows like in a book or film. I'm sure this was Colleen's intent when she made this record - to make it as one wholistic piece rather than individual tracks. The Tunnel and the Clearing is pure sonic bliss but more importantly it's a captured point in time. Those who will give the album the time it deserves will find it to be a rewarding and intimate experience. We are peering in on Colleen in a tiny room, peering in on the confinement and isolation that the past year and a half that we've endured. We are seeing the deep dark shadows being uncovered due to a shiny bright light. There is hope at the end of the tunnel. It's a closer look at the mind of Colleen and a record that many will hopefully enjoy because of it.
My Rating: 8 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Implosion-Explosion," "Gazing at Taurus - Santa Eulalia," "Revelation," "The Tunnel and the Clearing"
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