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| {{Short description|2016 studio album by Alcest}} | |||
| {{Infobox album <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Albums --> | |||
| {{Infobox album | |||
| | Name = Kodama | |||
| | |
| name = Kodama | ||
| | |
| type = studio album | ||
| | |
| artist = ] | ||
| | |
| cover = Alcest - Kodama 2016.jpg | ||
| | |
| alt = | ||
| | released = {{start date|2016|09|30}} | |||
| | Studio = Drudenhaus Studio, ], ] | |||
| | recorded = January–April 2016 | |||
| | Genre = {{flatlist| | |||
| | venue = | |||
| *] | |||
| | studio = Drudenhaus Studio, ], France | |||
| *] | |||
| | genre = | |||
| *] | |||
| * ]<ref name="bg"/> | |||
| }} | |||
| * ]<ref name="bg">{{cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-10-essential-post-black-metal-albums |title=The 10 essential post-black metal albums | |||
| | Length = 42:12 | |||
| |last=O'Boyle |first=Tom |date=May 14, 2019 |website=] |access-date=March 2, 2020 |quote=}}</ref> | |||
| | Label = ] | |||
| | |
| length = 42:12 | ||
| | |
| language = French | ||
| | label = ] | |||
| | Last album = '']''<br/>(2014) | |||
| | producer = | |||
| | This album = '''''Kodama''''' <br /> (2016) | |||
| * Benoît Roux | |||
| | Next album = | |||
| * Alcest | |||
| | Misc = | |||
| | prev_title = ] | |||
| | prev_year = 2014 | |||
| | next_title = ] | |||
| | next_year = 2019 | |||
| | misc = {{Singles | |||
| | type = studio | |||
| | name = Kodama | |||
| | single1 = Oiseaux de proie | |||
| | single1date = 4 August 2016 | |||
| | single2 = Je suis d'ailleurs | |||
| | single2date = 30 August 2016 | |||
| }} | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''''Kodama''''' (Japanese for "tree spirit" or "echo") is the fifth studio album by French ] band ]. It was released on September 30, 2016 via ]. It is a concept album about "the confrontation of the natural world and the human world", inspired by ]'s film ''].''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/alcest-kodama-interview-premiere|title=Alcest Continue Chasing Perfection with a Stunning Japanese-Influenced New Album, 'Kodama' {{!}} NOISEY|access-date=2016-09-02}}</ref> Musically the album is a return to the band's earlier blackgaze style, due to ]'s feeling that he "needed to go for something more punchy, darker, and more personal |
'''''Kodama''''' (Japanese for "tree spirit" or "echo") is the fifth studio album by French ] band ]. It was released on September 30, 2016 via ]. It is a ] about "the confrontation of the natural world and the human world", inspired by ]'s film ''].''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/alcest-kodama-interview-premiere|title=Alcest Continue Chasing Perfection with a Stunning Japanese-Influenced New Album, 'Kodama' {{!}} NOISEY|date=4 August 2016 |access-date=2016-09-02}}</ref> Musically the album is a return to the band's earlier blackgaze style, due to ]'s feeling that he "needed to go for something more punchy, darker, and more personal." ''Kodama'' is also the first Alcest album to feature bassist Indria Saray, though he has performed live with the band since 2010. | ||
| == |
==Production and recording== | ||
| According to Neige, the band spent "many months" in the studio recording the album, from January to April 2016. The drums were first recorded in the band's own rehearsal space to an old tape recorded, "using only the natural reverb of the big attic room there, to give the sensation of a real, vast space." Having finished recording the drums, the band went to Drudenhaus Studio to record the rest of the album. Neige used only a ] ] with a variety of effect pedals, deliberately aiming to recreate the band's more natural live sound in the studio.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
| The band will tour Europe with Japanese ] band ] throughout late 2016 in support of ''Kodama'', which will include nine ] dates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://teamrock.com/news/2016-04-18/alcest-mono-in-co-headline-euro-tour|title=Alcest, Mono in co-headline Euro tour|date=2016-04-18|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-09-02}}</ref> The first single from the album '<nowiki/>''Oiseaux de proie''<nowiki/>' was premiered on August 4, 2016 along with an interview with Neige.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/alcest-kodama-interview-premiere|title=Alcest Continue Chasing Perfection with a Stunning Japanese-Influenced New Album, 'Kodama' {{!}} NOISEY|access-date=2016-09-02}}</ref> The band premiered the second song from the album '''Je suis d'ailleurs''<nowiki/>' on August 30.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1896740/alcest-je-suis-dailleurs/franchises/premiere/|title=Alcest – “Je Suis D’Ailleurs”|date=2016-08-31|access-date=2016-09-02}}</ref> | |||
| On January 15, 2016, Neige published a post that read: "New album. Recording started." on the band's Facebook page; he further commented that the album would be "definitively darker."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/alcest.official/photos/a.225321210833820.63653.170674326298509/1107638525935413/?type=3&theater|title=Alcest - Timeline {{!}} Facebook|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=2016-09-03}}</ref> On March 3, the recording of guitars was finished. On May 16, he stated that the album was in the mastering process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/alcest.official/photos/a.225321210833820.63653.170674326298509/1186857434680188/?type=3|title=Alcest - Timeline {{!}} Facebook|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=2016-09-03}}</ref> On July 26 they officially announced the title, cover art, track listing, and release date.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/alcest.official/photos/a.225321210833820.63653.170674326298509/1236687363030528/?type=3|title=Alcest - Timeline {{!}} Facebook|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=2016-09-03}}</ref> | |||
| == Musical style, writing and composition == | |||
| According to Winterhalter, "in the end it was a 3 year writing process, in addition to 3 months of recording and mixing", with Neige beginning writing almost immediately after returning from recording '']'' in Iceland. ''<nowiki/>'Untouched'<nowiki/>'' was the first song written for this album, followed by the title track '''Kodama''<nowiki/>'. "These two songs (especially ''Kodama'') kind of forged the sound of the whole album. Through them I could foresee the album's shape and identity and the further direction I wanted to take for the rest of the album."<ref name=":1">''Kodama''. ] (CD liner). ]. 2016. PRO 190 LU</ref> | |||
| ==Musical style, writing and composition== | |||
| Neige has said that the album is heavily influenced by Japanese culture and by ]'s film '']''.<ref name=":0" /> Neige was particularly inspired by the film's protagonist San, seeing something of himself in her. Drawing on the film, ''Kodama'' particularly centres around the conflict between the 'human' and 'natural' worlds. Talking about the album's Japanese influence, Neige said that it comes from his own love of Japanese culture, particularly the way in which "Japan has a hyper technologic society, always ahead of its time, full of crazy items, gadgets, etc, but yet people there are very attached to tradition, nature, and spirituality." He cited the band's two tours of Japan, in which they performed within Buddhist temples, as having a profound influence on the direction of this album.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
| According to Winterhalter, "it was a 3 year writing process, in addition to 3 months of recording and mixing", with Neige beginning writing almost immediately after returning from recording '']'' in Iceland. "Untouched" was the first song written for this album, followed by the title track. "These two songs (especially 'Kodama') kind of forged the sound of the whole album. Through them I could foresee the album's shape and identity and the further direction I wanted to take for the rest of the album."<ref name=":1">{{cite AV media notes |title=Kodama |type=CD liner notes |author=] |publisher=] |year=2016 |id=PRO 190 LU}}</ref> | |||
| Neige has said that the album is heavily influenced by Japanese culture and by ]'s film '']''.<ref name=":0" /> Neige was particularly inspired by the film's protagonist San, seeing something of himself in her. Drawing on the film, ''Kodama'' particularly centres around the conflict between the "human" and "natural" worlds. Talking about the album's Japanese influence, Neige said that it comes from his own love of Japanese culture, particularly the way in which "Japan has a hyper technologic society, always ahead of its time, full of crazy items, gadgets, etc, but yet people there are very attached to tradition, nature, and spirituality." He cited the band's two tours of Japan, in which they performed within Buddhist temples, as having a profound influence on the direction of this album.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
| It also represents a return to Alcest's earlier ] style.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-08-22/how-terror-attacks-and-spiritualism-helped-create-the-new-alcest-album|title=How terror attacks and spiritualism inspired the new Alcest album|date=2016-08-22|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-09-02}}</ref> Neige said that they "wanted to go back to something a bit more punchy, because at the time we felt this need, in a very natural way, because after such a mellow record, you want to make something a bit more punchy."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/alcest-kodama-interview-premiere|title=Alcest Continue Chasing Perfection with a Stunning Japanese-Influenced New Album, 'Kodama' {{!}} NOISEY|access-date=2016-09-02}}</ref> "As for the guitars, I wanted to bring back the riffing and contrasts in our sound, exploring the possibilities of the guitar as much as I possibly could. Vocal wise, I felt that some of the songs could benefit from more contrasted expressions. I chose not to limit myself and went from harsh screams to very airy and ethereal vocal lines." He also highlighted ]' album ], Tool's last two albums, ], ], ], ], ], and ] as musical influences on the direction of this album.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
| It also represents a return to Alcest's earlier ] style.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-08-22/how-terror-attacks-and-spiritualism-helped-create-the-new-alcest-album|title=How terror attacks and spiritualism inspired the new Alcest album|date=2016-08-22|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-09-02}}</ref> Neige said that they "wanted to go back to something a bit more punchy, because at the time we felt this need, in a very natural way, because after such a mellow record, you want to make something a bit more punchy."<ref name=":0"/> "As for the guitars, I wanted to bring back the riffing and contrasts in our sound, exploring the possibilities of the guitar as much as I possibly could. Vocal wise, I felt that some of the songs could benefit from more contrasted expressions. I chose not to limit myself and went from harsh screams to very airy and ethereal vocal lines." He also highlighted ]' album '']'', ]'s last two albums ('']'' and '']''), ], ], ], ], ], and ] as musical influences on the direction of this album.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
| The album is deliberately structured similarly to the band's previous albums ] and '']''. All of these albums are just over 40 minutes and have a structure of 5 long tracks and one "stand out track at the end, in a more experimental style compared to the rest of the music. I like this formula and I feel like it was a big part of our identity on our first records. We wanted to pay tribute to that, especially since it's a structure I feel comfortable with when it comes to composing music. A lot of my favourite albums are short too, so it was the natural choice for ''Kodama''."<ref name=":1" /> Winterhalter has said that, compared to previous albums, the band wanted to "do more with less. This time, we put a lot more focus on the percussion and the energy aspect of the Alcest music, with an earthy, tribal feel at times." He also explained that the structure of the songs changed frequently during the writing process until the band were completely satisfied with them. "If certain things about the songs didn't match our original concept/guidelines, it was changed until it did fit, or even completely removed, as was the case with some entire songs (even after recording some of them)."<ref name=":1" /> | |||
| The album is deliberately structured similarly to the band's previous albums '']'' and '']''. All of these albums are just over 40 minutes and have a structure of 5 long tracks and one "stand out track at the end, in a more experimental style compared to the rest of the music. I like this formula and I feel like it was a big part of our identity on our first records. We wanted to pay tribute to that, especially since it's a structure I feel comfortable with when it comes to composing music. A lot of my favourite albums are short too, so it was the natural choice for ''Kodama''."<ref name=":1" /> Winterhalter has said that, compared to previous albums, the band wanted to "do more with less. This time, we put a lot more focus on the percussion and the energy aspect of the Alcest music, with an earthy, tribal feel at times." He also explained that the structure of the songs changed frequently during the writing process until the band were completely satisfied with them. "If certain things about the songs didn't match our original concept/guidelines, it was changed until it did fit, or even completely removed, as was the case with some entire songs (even after recording some of them)."<ref name=":1" /> | |||
| == Production and recording == | |||
| According to Neige, the band spent "many months" in the studio recording the album, from January to April 2016. The drums were first recorded in the band's own rehearsal space to an old tape recorded, "using only the natural reverb of the big attic room there, to give the sensation of a real, vast space." Having finished recording the drums, the band went to Drudenhaus Studio to record the rest of the album. Neige used only a ] ] with a variety of effect pedals, deliberately aiming to recreate the band's more natural live sound in the studio.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
| == Promotion and touring == | |||
| On January 15, 2016, Neige published "New album. Recording started." on the band's Facebook page, commenting that the album would be "definitively darker."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/alcest.official/photos/a.225321210833820.63653.170674326298509/1107638525935413/?type=3&theater|title=Alcest - Timeline {{!}} Facebook|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=2016-09-03}}</ref> On March 3, the recording of guitars was finished. On May 16, he stated that the album was in the mastering process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/alcest.official/photos/a.225321210833820.63653.170674326298509/1186857434680188/?type=3|title=Alcest - Timeline {{!}} Facebook|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=2016-09-03}}</ref> On July 26 they officially announced the title, cover art, track listing, and release date.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/alcest.official/photos/a.225321210833820.63653.170674326298509/1236687363030528/?type=3|title=Alcest - Timeline {{!}} Facebook|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=2016-09-03}}</ref> | |||
| The band toured Europe with Japanese ] band ] throughout late 2016 in support of ''Kodama'', which included nine ] dates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://teamrock.com/news/2016-04-18/alcest-mono-in-co-headline-euro-tour|title=Alcest, Mono in co-headline Euro tour|date=2016-04-18|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-09-02}}</ref> The lead single from the album, "Oiseaux de proie", premiered on August 4, 2016 along with an interview with Neige.<ref name=":0"/> The band released the second single from the album, "Je suis d'ailleurs", on August 30.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1896740/alcest-je-suis-dailleurs/franchises/premiere/|title=Alcest – "Je Suis D'Ailleurs"|date=2016-08-31|access-date=2016-09-02}}</ref> | |||
| ==Critical reception== | ==Critical reception== | ||
| {{Album ratings | {{Album ratings | ||
| | MC = |
| MC = 87/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web | url = http://www.metacritic.com/music/kodama/alcest | title = Reviews for Kodama by Alcest - Metacritic | accessdate = October 16, 2016 | publisher = ]}}</ref> | ||
| | rev1 = ] | | rev1 = ] | ||
| | rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=" |
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusic review">{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/kodama-mw0002969688 | title = Kodama - Alcest | last = Jurek | first = Thom | website = ] | date = September 30, 2016 | accessdate = September 29, 2016}}</ref> | ||
| | rev2 = ] | | rev2 = '']'' | ||
| | rev2Score = 7/10<ref name="Exclaim! review">{{cite |
| rev2Score = 7/10<ref name="Exclaim! review">{{cite magazine | url = http://exclaim.ca/music/article/alcest-kodama | title = Alcest Kodama | last = Nizam | first = Adam | date = September 28, 2016 | accessdate = October 6, 2016 | magazine = ]}}</ref> | ||
| | rev3 = ] | | rev3 = '']'' | ||
| | rev3Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="Metal Hammer review">{{cite |
| rev3Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="Metal Hammer review">{{cite magazine | url = http://teamrock.com/review/2016-09-08/alcest-album-review-kodama | title = Alcest album review – Kodama | last = Morton | first = Luke | date = September 8, 2016 | accessdate = October 6, 2016 | magazine = ]}}</ref> | ||
| | rev4 = |
| rev4 = Punknews.org | ||
| | rev4Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Punknews review">{{cite web | url = https://www.punknews.org/review/14665/alcest-kodama | title = Alcest - Kodama |
| rev4Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Punknews review">{{cite web | url = https://www.punknews.org/review/14665/alcest-kodama | title = Alcest - Kodama |website = Punknews.org | last = | first = | date = 30 September 2016| accessdate = October 6, 2016}}</ref> | ||
| | rev5 = |
| rev5 = ''Sputnikmusic'' | ||
| | rev5Score = 4.5/5<ref name="Sputnik Music review">{{cite web | url = |
| rev5Score = 4.5/5<ref name="Sputnik Music review">{{cite web | url = https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/71815/Alcest-Kodama/ | title = Review: Alcest - Kodama - SputnikMusic | last = Kuettel | first = Ben | date = October 2, 2016 | accessdate = October 6, 2016 | website = Sputnikmusic}}</ref> | ||
| | rev6 = ] | |||
| | rev6Score = 7.3/10<ref name="Ultimate Guitar review">{{cite web | url = https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/alcest/kodama/index.html | title = Kodama Review Alcest Compacts Discs Reviews @ Ultimate Guitar | last = Abt | first = Parker | date = October 7, 2016 | accessdate = October 7, 2016 | publisher = ]}}</ref> | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| ''Kodama'' |
''Kodama'' received very positive reviews from ] upon its initial release. At ] (a review aggregator site which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 from music critics), based on 5 critics, the album has received a score of 87, indicating "universal acclaim". | ||
| '']'' critic Luke Morton described the album as "breathtaking", writing, "Everything works in tandem to create a vast collage of bliss and despair – from the ethereal, almost joyous aura of 'Eclosion' to the bleakness of 'Je suis d’ailleurs'. Never rushing, but always growing, ''Kodama'' is an intricate tapestry." The album was featured by ] who described it as "the most satisfying Alcest record in nearly a decade."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/2016/10/04/alcest-kodama-review/|title=Album of the Day: Alcest, "Kodama"|last=Editorial|date=2016-10-04|website=Bandcamp Daily|access-date=2016-10-06}}</ref> '']'' writer Michael Nelson described the album as "pretty close to flawless, and it may even be something of a platonic ideal ... It has the lush, climactic qualities of ''Shelter'', but the room-rattling urgency and unsettling shadows of ''Souvenirs '' and '']''. It's a journey of an album, but at no point does the trek feel tiresome: The scenery is ever-changing, utterly engaging, and endlessly wondrous," concluding that it was one of his favorite releases of 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1896740/alcest-je-suis-dailleurs/mp3s/|title=Alcest – "Je Suis D'Ailleurs"|date=2016-08-31|access-date=2016-10-06}}</ref> | |||
| In the review for ], Thom Jurek concluded that "It's true that Alcest don't really offer anything musically new on ''Kodama''; Neige does that in his lyrics. But the return of more physically intense music is welcome. The kinetic force that was missing on ''Shelter'' is a welcome (re)admission. Combined with the intense lyricism and dynamic contrasts, it makes for Alcest's most 'complete' album since 2007's ''Souvenirs d'un autre monde''."<ref name="AllMusic review"/> Adam Nizam at '']'' also praised the album, saying, "When taken into the wider context of Alcest's discography, though, ''Kodama'' is a definite step in the right direction. The use of Japanese culture as an influence allows for a more unique musical journey, however short. Alcest strive for balance once more here, and for the most part, they achieve it."<ref name="Exclaim! review"/> | |||
| ==Track listing== | ==Track listing== | ||
| {{Track listing | {{Track listing | ||
| | all_writing = ] | | all_writing = ] | ||
| | title1 = Kodama | |||
| | note1 = "Tree Spirit" or "Echo" | | note1 = "Tree Spirit" or "Echo" | ||
| | length1 = 9:07 | | length1 = 9:07 | ||
| | writer1 = | | writer1 = | ||
| | extra1 = | | extra1 = | ||
| | title2 = |
| title2 = Éclosion | ||
| | note2 = " |
| note2 = "Eclosion" | ||
| | length2 = 8:54 | | length2 = 8:54 | ||
| | writer2 = | | writer2 = | ||
| | extra2 = | | extra2 = | ||
| | title3 = Je suis d'ailleurs | | title3 = Je suis d'ailleurs | ||
| | note3 = "I |
| note3 = "I Am from Elsewhere" | ||
| | length3 = 7:22 | | length3 = 7:22 | ||
| | writer3 = | | writer3 = | ||
| Line 89: | Line 107: | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| {{track listing | {{track listing | ||
| | headline = Deluxe edition bonus track | | headline = Deluxe edition (bonus track) | ||
| | title1 = Notre sang et nos pensées | | title1 = Notre sang et nos pensées | ||
| | length1 = 6:06 | | length1 = 6:06 | ||
| Line 97: | Line 115: | ||
| == Personnel == | == Personnel == | ||
| Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''Kodama''.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
| ;Alcest | |||
| '''Alcest''' | |||
| * ] – ], ], ], recording, production, mixing, illustrator, design | * ] – ], ], ], recording, production, mixing, illustrator, design | ||
| * Winterhalter – ], recording, production, mixing | * Winterhalter – ], recording, production, mixing | ||
| '''Additional musicians''' | |||
| ;Other personnel | |||
| *Indria Saray – bass guitar | *Indria Saray – bass guitar | ||
| *Kathrine Shepard – vocals on "Kodama" | *Kathrine Shepard – vocals on "Kodama" | ||
| '''Technical''' | |||
| *Benoît Roux – recording, production, mixing | *Benoît Roux – recording, production, mixing | ||
| *Mika Jussila – mastering | *Mika Jussila – mastering | ||
| *KR – vinyl mastering | *KR – vinyl mastering | ||
| '''Artwork''' | |||
| *Andy Julia – photograph | *Andy Julia – photograph | ||
| *Førtifem – illustrator, design | *Førtifem – illustrator, design | ||
| ==Charts== | |||
| {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" | |||
| |+ Chart performance for ''Kodama'' | |||
| ! scope="col"| Chart (2016) | |||
| ! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position | |||
| |- | |||
| {{album chart|Flanders|109|artist=Alcest|album=Kodama|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 8, 2016}} | |||
| |- | |||
| {{album chart|Wallonia|186|artist=Alcest|album=Kodama|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 15, 2016}} | |||
| |- | |||
| {{album chart|Germany4|15|id=314696|artist=Alcest|album=Kodama|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 8, 2016}} | |||
| |- | |||
| {{album chart|Switzerland|62|artist=Alcest|album=Kodama|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 12, 2016}} | |||
| |- | |||
| ! scope="row"|] (])<ref name="chart-breakers">{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-breakers-chart/20161007/255/ |title=Official Independent Album Breakers Chart Top 20 |publisher=] |access-date=10 August 2023}}</ref> | |||
| | 17 | |||
| |- | |||
| {{album chart|UKRock|25|date=20161007|artist=Alcest|album=Kodama|rowheader=true|access-date=10 August 2023}} | |||
| |- | |||
| ! scope="row"|US ] (])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2016-10-22|title=Heatseeker Albums|magazine=]|date=22 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028050839/http://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2016-10-22|access-date=17 March 2019|archive-date=28 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| | 8 | |||
| |} | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{Reflist}} | {{Reflist|30em}} | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| Line 117: | Line 164: | ||
| {{Alcest}} | {{Alcest}} | ||
| {{Authority control}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| {{2010s-album-stub}} | |||
Latest revision as of 13:19, 15 November 2024
2016 studio album by Alcest| Kodama | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Alcest | ||||
| Released | September 30, 2016 (2016-09-30) | |||
| Recorded | January–April 2016 | |||
| Studio | Drudenhaus Studio, Issé, France | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 42:12 | |||
| Language | French | |||
| Label | Prophecy Productions | |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Alcest chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Kodama | ||||
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Kodama (Japanese for "tree spirit" or "echo") is the fifth studio album by French post-black metal band Alcest. It was released on September 30, 2016 via Prophecy Productions. It is a concept album about "the confrontation of the natural world and the human world", inspired by Hayao Miyazaki's film Princess Mononoke. Musically the album is a return to the band's earlier blackgaze style, due to Neige's feeling that he "needed to go for something more punchy, darker, and more personal." Kodama is also the first Alcest album to feature bassist Indria Saray, though he has performed live with the band since 2010.
Production and recording
According to Neige, the band spent "many months" in the studio recording the album, from January to April 2016. The drums were first recorded in the band's own rehearsal space to an old tape recorded, "using only the natural reverb of the big attic room there, to give the sensation of a real, vast space." Having finished recording the drums, the band went to Drudenhaus Studio to record the rest of the album. Neige used only a Fender Jazzmaster with a variety of effect pedals, deliberately aiming to recreate the band's more natural live sound in the studio.
On January 15, 2016, Neige published a post that read: "New album. Recording started." on the band's Facebook page; he further commented that the album would be "definitively darker." On March 3, the recording of guitars was finished. On May 16, he stated that the album was in the mastering process. On July 26 they officially announced the title, cover art, track listing, and release date.
Musical style, writing and composition
According to Winterhalter, "it was a 3 year writing process, in addition to 3 months of recording and mixing", with Neige beginning writing almost immediately after returning from recording Shelter in Iceland. "Untouched" was the first song written for this album, followed by the title track. "These two songs (especially 'Kodama') kind of forged the sound of the whole album. Through them I could foresee the album's shape and identity and the further direction I wanted to take for the rest of the album."
Neige has said that the album is heavily influenced by Japanese culture and by Hayao Miyazaki's film Princess Mononoke. Neige was particularly inspired by the film's protagonist San, seeing something of himself in her. Drawing on the film, Kodama particularly centres around the conflict between the "human" and "natural" worlds. Talking about the album's Japanese influence, Neige said that it comes from his own love of Japanese culture, particularly the way in which "Japan has a hyper technologic society, always ahead of its time, full of crazy items, gadgets, etc, but yet people there are very attached to tradition, nature, and spirituality." He cited the band's two tours of Japan, in which they performed within Buddhist temples, as having a profound influence on the direction of this album.
It also represents a return to Alcest's earlier blackgaze style. Neige said that they "wanted to go back to something a bit more punchy, because at the time we felt this need, in a very natural way, because after such a mellow record, you want to make something a bit more punchy." "As for the guitars, I wanted to bring back the riffing and contrasts in our sound, exploring the possibilities of the guitar as much as I possibly could. Vocal wise, I felt that some of the songs could benefit from more contrasted expressions. I chose not to limit myself and went from harsh screams to very airy and ethereal vocal lines." He also highlighted Grimes' album Visions, Tool's last two albums (Lateralus and 10,000 Days), Dinosaur Jr., The Smashing Pumpkins, Cocteau Twins, Explosions in the Sky, The Cure, and Sonic Youth as musical influences on the direction of this album.
The album is deliberately structured similarly to the band's previous albums Souvenirs d'un autre monde and Écailles de lune. All of these albums are just over 40 minutes and have a structure of 5 long tracks and one "stand out track at the end, in a more experimental style compared to the rest of the music. I like this formula and I feel like it was a big part of our identity on our first records. We wanted to pay tribute to that, especially since it's a structure I feel comfortable with when it comes to composing music. A lot of my favourite albums are short too, so it was the natural choice for Kodama." Winterhalter has said that, compared to previous albums, the band wanted to "do more with less. This time, we put a lot more focus on the percussion and the energy aspect of the Alcest music, with an earthy, tribal feel at times." He also explained that the structure of the songs changed frequently during the writing process until the band were completely satisfied with them. "If certain things about the songs didn't match our original concept/guidelines, it was changed until it did fit, or even completely removed, as was the case with some entire songs (even after recording some of them)."
Promotion and touring
The band toured Europe with Japanese post-rock band Mono throughout late 2016 in support of Kodama, which included nine UK dates. The lead single from the album, "Oiseaux de proie", premiered on August 4, 2016 along with an interview with Neige. The band released the second single from the album, "Je suis d'ailleurs", on August 30.
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 87/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    |
| Exclaim! | 7/10 |
| Metal Hammer | |
| Punknews.org | |
| Sputnikmusic | 4.5/5 |
| Ultimate Guitar | 7.3/10 |
Kodama received very positive reviews from music critics upon its initial release. At Metacritic (a review aggregator site which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 from music critics), based on 5 critics, the album has received a score of 87, indicating "universal acclaim".
Metal Hammer critic Luke Morton described the album as "breathtaking", writing, "Everything works in tandem to create a vast collage of bliss and despair – from the ethereal, almost joyous aura of 'Eclosion' to the bleakness of 'Je suis d’ailleurs'. Never rushing, but always growing, Kodama is an intricate tapestry." The album was featured by Bandcamp who described it as "the most satisfying Alcest record in nearly a decade." Stereogum writer Michael Nelson described the album as "pretty close to flawless, and it may even be something of a platonic ideal ... It has the lush, climactic qualities of Shelter, but the room-rattling urgency and unsettling shadows of Souvenirs and Le secret. It's a journey of an album, but at no point does the trek feel tiresome: The scenery is ever-changing, utterly engaging, and endlessly wondrous," concluding that it was one of his favorite releases of 2016.
In the review for AllMusic, Thom Jurek concluded that "It's true that Alcest don't really offer anything musically new on Kodama; Neige does that in his lyrics. But the return of more physically intense music is welcome. The kinetic force that was missing on Shelter is a welcome (re)admission. Combined with the intense lyricism and dynamic contrasts, it makes for Alcest's most 'complete' album since 2007's Souvenirs d'un autre monde." Adam Nizam at Exclaim! also praised the album, saying, "When taken into the wider context of Alcest's discography, though, Kodama is a definite step in the right direction. The use of Japanese culture as an influence allows for a more unique musical journey, however short. Alcest strive for balance once more here, and for the most part, they achieve it."
Track listing
All tracks are written by Neige
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Kodama" ("Tree Spirit" or "Echo") | 9:07 |
| 2. | "Éclosion" ("Eclosion") | 8:54 |
| 3. | "Je suis d'ailleurs" ("I Am from Elsewhere") | 7:22 |
| 4. | "Untouched" | 5:12 |
| 5. | "Oiseaux de proie" ("Birds of Prey") | 7:50 |
| 6. | "Onyx" | 3:51 |
| Total length: | 42:12 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Notre sang et nos pensées" ("Our Blood and Our Thoughts") | 6:06 |
| Total length: | 48:18 | |
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Kodama.
Alcest
- Neige – guitar, vocals, keyboards, recording, production, mixing, illustrator, design
- Winterhalter – drums, recording, production, mixing
Additional musicians
- Indria Saray – bass guitar
- Kathrine Shepard – vocals on "Kodama"
Technical
- Benoît Roux – recording, production, mixing
- Mika Jussila – mastering
- KR – vinyl mastering
Artwork
- Andy Julia – photograph
- Førtifem – illustrator, design
Charts
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) | 109 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) | 186 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 15 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) | 62 |
| UK Independent Album Breakers (OCC) | 17 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC) | 25 |
| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) | 8 |
References
- ^ O'Boyle, Tom (May 14, 2019). "The 10 essential post-black metal albums". Metal Hammer. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
- ^ "Alcest Continue Chasing Perfection with a Stunning Japanese-Influenced New Album, 'Kodama' | NOISEY". 4 August 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
- ^ Alcest (2016). Kodama (CD liner notes). Prophecy Productions. PRO 190 LU.
- "Alcest - Timeline | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
- "Alcest - Timeline | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
- "Alcest - Timeline | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-09-03.
- "How terror attacks and spiritualism inspired the new Alcest album". 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
- "Alcest, Mono in co-headline Euro tour". 2016-04-18. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
- "Alcest – "Je Suis D'Ailleurs"". 2016-08-31. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
- "Reviews for Kodama by Alcest - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
- ^ Jurek, Thom (September 30, 2016). "Kodama - Alcest". AllMusic. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ^ Nizam, Adam (September 28, 2016). "Alcest Kodama". Exclaim!. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- Morton, Luke (September 8, 2016). "Alcest album review – Kodama". Metal Hammer. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- "Alcest - Kodama". Punknews.org. 30 September 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- Kuettel, Ben (October 2, 2016). "Review: Alcest - Kodama - SputnikMusic". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- Abt, Parker (October 7, 2016). "Kodama Review Alcest Compacts Discs Reviews @ Ultimate Guitar". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- Editorial (2016-10-04). "Album of the Day: Alcest, "Kodama"". Bandcamp Daily. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
- "Alcest – "Je Suis D'Ailleurs"". 2016-08-31. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
- "Ultratop.be – Alcest – Kodama" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
- "Ultratop.be – Alcest – Kodama" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Alcest – Kodama" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
- "Swisscharts.com – Alcest – Kodama". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
- "Official Independent Album Breakers Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- "Heatseeker Albums". Billboard. 22 October 2016. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
External links
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