by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Agoria – aka Sébastien Devaud – is in the best possible position to bring us up to date on his sixth album, taking up the theme on his Bandcamp site:

“As a musician and producer, after five albums, I clearly know that my proposition will always be about diversity more than a single crafted sound. This is how I am: multifaceted, nourished by social human exchanges and my encounters in science, art, and technology. I have one life and different bodies. I can be physical and digital, technological and organic, house, techno, and soul. This album is about shedding light in a vertical period where the fight for truth and visibility becomes crucial, where Blockchain might become our right to vote. It’s about making complex things sound simpler, joining the dots. A proposition more than a promise: Unshadow.”

What’s the music like?

As varied as Agoria’s introduction implies, and in the main really well executed.

Agoria oversees a wide range of music, from the moody Heart To Heart, with STS and Sacha Rudy, to the twisty disco house that makes Getaway such a good track, in the company of Madison McFerrin. Olympe is a really good piano led number, with NDRK and Yacine Dessouki on board, while I Feel Good is even better, a hard hitter for the middle of the dance floor.

Atmospheric reaches are explored with Quiero and the dreamy Sunshine, with Dominique Fils-Aimé, and the only track that feels slightly out of place is the closing cover of Sheila B. Devotion‘s Spacer, which is effective in its own way but draws too much attention towards the original.

Does it all work?

Largely – and with no padding, Agoria’s structure for the album is pretty much ideal.

Is it recommended?

It is. Agoria writes music with plenty of hooks that is easy to dance to – and also demands repeated listening. Very nicely done!

For fans of… Cassius, Etienne de Crecy, Dimitri From Paris, Purple Disco Machine

Listen & Buy

Published post no.2,341 – Thursday 24 October 2024