After a number of acclaimed tracks and EPs, the southern newcomer on the French electronic scene is releasing his first album on COD3 QR, Laurent Garnier’s label. A full-length album on which the producer establishes himself as the newcomer to watch in a techno revival.
The rise to fame has been a gradual one for the producer from the south of France, and the release of “Echoes” could well have a resounding impact on the French electronic music scene, which is beginning to take on a new lease of life. Passionate musician, head on shoulders and sharp ear, Voltaire has prepared the release of this long format with COD3 QR well. After several EPs and appearances on the label’s famous compilations since 2021, plus a remix in 2023 of Laurent Garnier’s “Tales From The Real World” that allowed a glimpse at his potential, “Echoes” now allows full appreciation of all of this musician’s qualities.
The gradual disappearance of the album format versus the digital single has not dampened the determination of this artist and the label to impose a singular artistic vision on an LP: “After having produced a number of tracks, I was absolutely determined to create a story with all the pieces on this album”, assures Voltaire. “I wanted to compose something that I don’t hear anymore in today’s music, something different from dancefloor techno. Echoes fully crystallises this desire.”
The emotional eclecticism of this album comes as no surprise to listeners who have followed Voltaire’s previous releases. “Since I started out, I’ve produced house, techno and electro tracks… this eclecticism is part of my personality as a musician. I love all facets of electronic music and I want to remain open to all influences.”
“Echoes” features lush, lysergic techno (the phenomenal “Detune”, “Echoes”, “Human” and “Unity”, reminiscent of Border Community), liberating forays into IDM (“Connection Lost”, “I’ll See You Again”, “Singular Pursuit”, whose dreamy melody will inevitably bring Plaid to mind), catchy electro-techno (the aptly named “Dance!”, “Wave Function”, a model of mental techno), raw dancefloor accents and even a symphonic anthem to conclude (the luminous “Voltaire”).
Through this frenzied eclecticism, Voltaire intends to put his signature: “the link between all the songs of the album is the precision of the rhythms, the choice of melodies, the metallic sound of cymbals…”. Nourished by the electro of origins (Kraftwerk, Juan Atkins’ Detroit, Robert Hood or Dopplereffekt) and the profusion of electro from the 2000s and 2010s, Voltaire is under the influence of an extremely productive retro-mania. With “Echoes”, he offers a brilliant synthesis, in the precious setting of an irreproachable production.
Track Listing:
01. Voltaire – Intro
02. Voltaire – Dance!
03. Voltaire – Connection Lost
04. Voltaire – Human
05. Voltaire – Detune
06. Voltaire – Echoes
07. Voltaire – Wave Function
08. Voltaire – Unity
09. Voltaire – Interlude
10. Voltaire – I’ll See You Again
11. Voltaire – Singular Pursuit
12. Voltaire – Voltaire (Ending)
The post Voltaire’s debut album on Laurent Garnier’s label appeared first on Decoded Magazine.
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